Several months ago we wrote very extensively about Microsoft's motives in joining the OSI. By following the links, you can locate old posts that obviate the need to repeat old arguments.
The news today is actually arriving not from Michael Tiemann (shown on the right), who keeps a relatively low profile. Bruce Perens, as you are probably aware, is one of the louder and best-known protesters against the Microsoft/Novell deal. He continues to focus on this issue, which he has not forgotten. He wants to keep Microsoft out of the OSI's board as well, possibly preventing an effect akin to that of companies like Novell inside the Linux Foundation.
Here is the link to the letter and a selective excerpt.
Unfortunately, running for the OSI board is going to be painful. Some oppose my action against vendor excesses like the Novell-Microsoft agreement. And there's bad blood from the past - some of it my fault. I'm sure this campaign will inspire ad-hominem material about me on the net, etc. That's another reason that I'll need your support.
Microsoft is just one of many sponsors. MS must keep their fingers in all the pies, it also makes them look like they support openness. Plus, FUD doesn't just happen spontaneously, someone's gotta be there to generate it and spread it around, and no company on Earth can do that better than Microsoft.
Bruce Perens at the launch event of GPLv3
Comments
Woods
2008-03-19 07:11:06
Roy Schestowitz
2008-03-19 07:22:08
Thomas Lord, who contributes to the site a great deal, makes an interesting remark.
c. day
2008-03-19 14:51:22
I'm honored that you used my quote! I genuinely wish Bruce great success, but if, as he says, running for the board is going to be painful, actually getting on the OSI board likely won't end the painfulness. Microsoft folks apparently aren't above attempting to bully and smear the reputations of good people that oppose them.
From all I've read about Bruce Perens, he seems to have enough dedication and determined courage to stand his ground. cday
Woods
2008-03-19 17:22:35
Woods
2008-03-19 17:39:52
What has Mr. Perens done for open source lately? He fights for FOSS. Every. Single. Day.
CoolGuy
2008-03-19 17:54:36
He is always working behind the scenes for FOSS.
I vote to put him in the board at the highest level. That way atleast m$ wont be able to damage the OSI in anyway possible.
We just need him there, so that m$ wont dare touch OSI. We have assurance that he wont sell out like others. He doesnt have to do anything at all - just to make sure that m$ stays out of OSI.
Thousand times better than novell or sun or other commercial companies and their half baked approach towards FOSS.
Roy Schestowitz
2008-03-19 23:46:51
From what I can see, he gives many talks and travels with Stallman. Matt's response irks me as somewhat arrogant.
Many people don't do as much /for/ open source as much as they gain /from/ open source (money). Bruce fights for Freedom, not just open source _as a development method_ for commercial-grade software.
Perhaps that's the type of personal attack Bruce warned about in advance. That's why he needs people's support.
paul
2008-03-20 13:17:03
Neil
2008-03-20 16:51:45
I noticed that you spelled rms' name wrong, it's Stallman. I'd have emailed this but I couldn't find a way to contact you directly.
-Neil
Roy Schestowitz
2008-03-20 17:04:04
Fixed now.