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发信人: "Roy Guo" <roy@szu.edu.cn>, 信区: Linux
标 题: Yes, we do need the MS Windows source code!
发信站: ShenZhen University (Sun Dec 5 19:41:21 1999)
转信站: ShenZhen-University!bbs.szu.edu.cn!not-for-mail
出 处: 210.39.3.71
Yes, we do need the MS Windows
source code!
Apr 16, 1999, 00:06 UTC (26 Talkbacks) (Other stories by Norm
Jacobowitz)
By Norm Jacobowitz
With the possibility of Microsoft being forced to open the source to all
or part
of their Windows Operating System(s), there is (naturally) a lot of
debate
erupting throughout the GNU/Linux and broader Open Source Communities.
Nathan Myers has written an astute essay about why that is not a good
idea.
Though Mr. Myers's essay is well reasoned, I believe he is wrong on
several
points. His first argument against opening the MS code is that the truly
interesting code would remain hidden. That, in and of itself, is a true
statement.
But if the Windows code is open, that will create a greater impetus for
other
developers to follow suit and open their code, perhaps even the
publishers of
the aforementioned hidden code. Plus, forcing MS to open their source
would
be akin to the "shot heard round the world", the sound of the camel's
back
breaking on the old paradigm of proprietary software publishing.
Mr. Myers's second argument takes liberties with what people mean when
they
are suggesting opening of source code as a legal remedy in the DOJ suit.
In
other words, forcing MS to open their source code is just one of several
possible remedies, more than one of which is likely to be inflicted upon
Microsoft. So, the second argument collapses when you consider the fact
that
forcing MS to open source some or some parts of their products is just
one of
several remedies that would imposed at once. Releasing some or all of the
Windows code would in no way insulate them from further action by DOJ or
the States' Attorneys General; as far as I can tell from the popular
media, no
one from the DOJ is suggesting that opening the MS source code would be
the
only remedy.
Mr. Myers goes on to point out that individuals would not be free to
build their
own versions of Windows. Perhaps that would be true the minute MS opened
their source code, but eventually hardware vendors would be forced to
open
the specs on their devices and/or the source to their drivers if they
wanted this
burgeoning market -- users of Open Source MS Windows -- to purchase their
products. Vendors will comply, perhaps slowly at first ... but they will
comply,
just as many have done for GNU/Linux.
Finally, Mr. Myers says that opening MS Windows
would benefit Microsoft because developers would
contribute code back to improve the system. Well, I
may be missing the boat entirely, but I thought that's
what this whole GNU/Linux and Open Source
phenomenon was all about: allowing people to have
some or total control over the software they use. If
releasing some or all of MS Windows to the Open
Source Community means a better way of getting
things done, isn't that a good thing? Also, if a decree
demanding an opening of MS code is combined with
other legal remedies, it is hard to see how individuals
tailoring Windows to their own needs will help
enforce an illegal Microsoft hegemony over the
software world.
To help end Microsoft's allegedly illegal monopolistic practices
(remember, they
have not been convicted yet) Mr. Myers suggests a major fine in lieu of a
demand for an Open Source MS Windows. I agree with that suggestion -- but
why not fine them AND demand the source code?
Basically, I believe there are four major points that make an Open Source
MS
Windows a good idea:
1.Any code, no matter how poorly written and kludgey it may be,
deserves
to be revealed in the public arena, for review by the greater
programming
community. (The obvious exceptions include software designed for
national security interests, etc.) Even if the code turns out to be
horrible,
we can use it in tutorials about how NOT to code.
2.Open Source Software is good because it lets people be more
productive and live happier, wealthier lives ... lives over which
people
have more individual control. Right now closed source MS Windows
prevents millions of people from having control over what they do
when
they use information technology. Even though those millions of
people
now have a choice about which O/S they use, wouldn't it be better to
give them one more Open Source alternative?
3.Like it or not, there are some very brilliant people working for
Microsoft
Corporation. Putting the fruits of their labor into the Open Source
Community would in the long run be good for everyone. Sure, MS code
is known for bugginess and unreliability, but combining the talent
now
hidden in Redmond with the talent in our pool of great programmers
could only improve the lives of everyone involved.
4.Ending the giant struggle between Microsoft and the GNU/Linux (and
broader Open Source Communities), and getting down to the brass
tacks of making software work better for everyone, will be better
than
the current waste of resources and intellectual effort now being
waged.
Look at it this way: the GNU/Linux System is the WORST computing
environment in the world ... except for all the others. What is
wrong with
making all available computing options much, much better?
To this end, as part of my regular column, Linux Review, Linux Resources
has
posted a petition calling for the Opening of MS Windows 9x source code.
If
you agree with my position, stated herein, please go to that page and
enter your
electronic "signature." If you still disagree with the idea that MS
Windows
should be Open Source, please send me a message at normj@ssc.com and
explain why; I want to hear your opinion. Whatever your position, it is
good that
people like Nathan Myers take the time to write a well-reasoned position
essay,
instead of haphazardly flaming or remaining silent about their views.
Thanks,
Nathan Myers.
Norm Jacobowitz is a freelance writer and marketing
consultant based in Seattle, WA, USA. His weekly column,
Linux Review, is available at LinuxResources.Com.
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