--Matt Asay, April 21st, 2008
Russian Ministry on Information Technology and Communications published recently a document entitled Concept of development and usage of Free Software in the Russian Federation (Russian). It is a 29-page text, which is by far the most detailed roadmap of government involvement in Free Software. The legal status of this document is not very strong: in the recent Russian governmental tradition a ‘concept’ is a kind of a detailed policy declaration, which may not be fully observed or may even be rejected or forgotten after a short period of time. However, it may serve as groundwork for future projects and more specific policy measures. Thus, even though a concept document does not create anything by itself, its availability is necessary for creation of good things.
Dr. Summers talked without notes or charts (a great lesson for all presenters) on “America and the New Global Economy.” While the essence of Dr. Summers’ observations were on how America could continue to compete in the face of accelerating competition from China, India, and Russia, it was his remarks on innovation and the source of innovation that struck me, and I hope you, as the most profound.
To be honest I was a bit disappointed with openSUSE. Speaking about the good points, I liked the collection of software installed and the nice control center. But, I had no audio and the video was poorly configured with the liveCD. Also, the menu system just didn’t work for me. Having to go through 3 clicks to open a program is just too much, I can imagine going through this many times a day isn’t very interesting. For me, in this test I would give openSUSE 11 one and a half Pinguins, but since it is a poor cruelty to chop this cute animal, I’ll give two.
The problems that I encountered are most likely from openSUSE not having proprietary drivers installed, which is understandable. But, openSUSE`s Gnome layout was just too confusing for me to recommend to someone used to a Windows or KDE UI. The layout was just not effective.
Next up, we’ll take a look at the new Mandriva release.
I figured it would be good to note (and then bury) three myths that I heard perpetuated by Microsoft at the Interop Moscow conference. They've been largely discredited elsewhere, but it appears Microsoft prefers to keep regurgitating the party line until abject ridicule sets in.
1. Myth: Open source can't innovate. Coming from Microsoft...
[...]
2. Open source doesn't interoperate with other software well, while Microsoft does. Wow! The cheekiness of that one was breathtaking.
[...]
3. There is no money in open source. It's funny to hear Microsoft use this one, as if its customers are desperate to hear it talk about how much money it makes at their expense.
[...]
Microsoft has gotten better in its open-source rhetoric. Now it just needs to make sure its far-flung outposts get the message, too.
Comments
LinuxIsFun
2008-04-25 09:59:25
Roy Schestowitz
2008-04-25 10:01:46
Via
MrFantasticEatYou
2008-04-25 10:29:42
Roy Schestowitz
2008-04-25 10:36:20
Care to be more polite?
MrFantasticEatYou
2008-04-25 10:53:09
Homer Simpson
2008-04-25 10:56:14
Who insults other Linux-distros soils his own bed. Pisses into the soup he's eating. Shits in the linnens he sleeps in. Maybe that explains the stench emanating from this blog.
Homer Simpson
2008-04-25 10:59:15
Who insults other Linux-distros soils his own bed. Pisses into the soup he's eating. Shits in the linnens he sleeps in. Maybe that explains the stench emanating from this blog..
Roy Schestowitz
2008-04-25 11:05:58
Homer Simpson
2008-04-25 11:26:36
You go round spreading hate against numerous Linux-distributions. That much is fact. And this makes you an enemy to the community.
Roy Schestowitz
2008-04-25 11:34:59
PeterKraus
2008-04-25 22:25:05
I don't mind SUSE / OpenSUSE, because it's true, that Novell did quite a lot of good in the GNU/Linux world. But this is not good.
mass-carpone
2008-04-25 23:07:45