I think I just melted my irony meter. The radically innovative new plan at VA Linux is to reach profitability by selling proprietary software.
(Larry Augustin has invented Microsoft!) But not just any software; they're going to sell the software which operates SourceForge, one of the largest repositories of open source software in the world. And this is now going to become the core business; they may even change the company name. I can't wait to see what the folks on SlashDot think of this! (VA Linux also operates SlashDot.)
posted by Steven Den Beste
on Aug 23, 2001 -
18 comments
Be very afraid. The only real solution to this is backlash and boycott. Technical solutions to "InTether" are inadequate (especially since every such will be a violation of the
DMCA). If content vendors will only sell their material this way,
don't buy! (Ultimately, it's going to take an act of Congress to straighten this all out. How about a law making it illegal to prevent "fair use"?)
posted by Steven Den Beste
on Mar 13, 2001 -
30 comments
How to tilt at windmills. What these guys don't undestand is that Apple can't make money selling software. They develop software so that they can sell the hardware on which it runs, which is their real profit center.
posted by Steven Den Beste
on Sep 18, 2000 -
32 comments
The Spyware Infested Software List. All programs on this list surreptitiously report back to a server telling either what you've been doing or what is on your computer. It's quite a list.
I don't understand why Navigator isn't on there, though. Navigator's "What's Related" feature does exactly the same thing.
posted by Steven Den Beste
on May 28, 2000 -
7 comments
Folks, this one's not a joke. The major software publishers are trying to make an end-run around the copyright laws. If this passes
anywhere we're all potentially going to be bound by it. All they have to do is stick a clause in the license that says "This shall be governed by the laws of the state of Virginia."
They're also trying to make an end-run around the First Amendment. If this passes it will be illegal for you to write a review about any software package, or to reveal any information about bugs you find.
Finally, they're trying to make an end-run around property law. If it passes, you won't
own the software you purchase, you'll be
leasing it, and you won't be protected by state laws on commercial purchase.
posted by Steven Den Beste
on Mar 5, 2000 -
5 comments