12.07.07
Friends or Foes? Ubuntu+CNR (from Linspire), GNOME+OOXML (from Microsoft)
Odd and controversial couples
There will always be a strange and uncomfortable dilemma when someone who is not your friend offers you gift (not even on Christmas day). Just a few days after the beta of CNR debuted on the Web, Ubuntu Forums went abuzz. Some people do not want anything to do with Linspire software.
Money Divides
”KC took Microsoft’s role of Linux FUDmeister for a few moments.“We are still wondering if/how much money was made by Kevin Caromony (KC) after the Microsoft deal. As Groklaw points out, Linspire is a privately-held company, so nobody knows for sure. Remember that KC is no longer worth trusting. KC took Microsoft's role of Linux FUDmeister for a few moments. For that, he shouldn’t be taken seriously anymore. Then, come to consider rich people like Miguel de Icaza (don’t forget the Ximian acquisition), who makes a very good living (even relish the wealth) by evangelising/building Microsoft technologies. So, as far as OOXML goes, there’s a dilemma similar to that which involves CNR. Is it worth trusting?
The folks at NoOOXML refuse to buy the arguments made jointly by Jeff Waugh and Miguel de Icaza in the recent podcast. Consider this:
A statement as clear as “MS delivered OOXML to ECMA as-is MS make the decisions about changing it we’re drilling for docs” was missed which lead to a lot of confusion in the Gnome user community. According to some unconfirmed rumours a popular SCO case blogger was so pissed that the person considered to switch from Gnome to another Desktop environment. I find it nice that the Gnome Foundation “drilled” Microsoft for more documentation. But maybe that was soo wrong, too? What if the amount of documentation helped them to sell their “standard” to ISO?
There remains a difference between OOXML and CNR. While OOXML is Microsoft’s property which serves its own purposes, CNR is not and does not. However, as one vocal Linspire opposer said, anything that supports Linspire and serves a lifeline/dependency needs to be avoided. It keeps Linspire going for longer and — by association — its ties with Microsoft alive. With these controversial ties come all sorts of damaging ‘liabilities’ and patent ammunition. This helps create a flock situation where Microsoft is is able to gather GNU/Linux users under a single 'umbrella' which is destructible. █
Dude said,
December 8, 2007 at 1:40 am
KC doesn’t work for Linspire anymore…you might want to check your facts once and while so you don’t look totally ridiculous. You are correct in that KC cannot be trusted.
Roy Schestowitz said,
December 8, 2007 at 1:44 am
Yes, I know that KC, ESR and many others have left. I’ve covered that here. The point, however, was that Linspire continues to be tied to a deal which is used as an anti-FOSS weapon.