11:01 AM - BSD / Linux - why we aren't on the same page anymore
The fallout over the broadcom driver highlights how the open source community is divided into different camps.
Now in theory, all open source people are working toward the same goals. Low cost software for the average person, allowing several developers to make a real difference in software, etc...
Somehow in the open source community, you're instantly labeled. You're a "Linux" or "BSD" person. Each side touts its own licensing mode as superior to the other one, and claims to produce better work due to their community / philosophy / licensing model, etc...
Over the weekend, BSD and Linux people were engaged in an online warfare over the (admitted) used of GPL code by an OpenBSD developer. It could have been handled developer to developer privately, but no it had to be shared with the whole freaking world. Both sides trying to use it as further proof that their software development philosophy is correct and the other side is childish and stupid.
This issue raises a more serious question. If we're so busy focused on what the "other" open source team is doing - how can we stick to our original goals? How can we really focus on make in-roads into the average home? At a certain point, we need to work together. We don't have deep pockets like Microsoft or Apple. We need to help each other out.
Now in theory, all open source people are working toward the same goals. Low cost software for the average person, allowing several developers to make a real difference in software, etc...
Somehow in the open source community, you're instantly labeled. You're a "Linux" or "BSD" person. Each side touts its own licensing mode as superior to the other one, and claims to produce better work due to their community / philosophy / licensing model, etc...
Over the weekend, BSD and Linux people were engaged in an online warfare over the (admitted) used of GPL code by an OpenBSD developer. It could have been handled developer to developer privately, but no it had to be shared with the whole freaking world. Both sides trying to use it as further proof that their software development philosophy is correct and the other side is childish and stupid.
This issue raises a more serious question. If we're so busy focused on what the "other" open source team is doing - how can we stick to our original goals? How can we really focus on make in-roads into the average home? At a certain point, we need to work together. We don't have deep pockets like Microsoft or Apple. We need to help each other out.
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