At 11:50 AM 7/31/2002 -0500, you wrote: >I think I saw an article the other day that stated something to the >effect of "if someone writes software that links against any GPLd shared >objects, then that software must be GPLd also." Any one more >knowledgeable than me on the GPL that can answer this? Would this mean >that M$ would have to build a GUI without using any existing compiled >shared objects in the Linux system? If so, isn't this a tough task?
I believe that is incorrect since there are a lot of commercial products available for Linux that work in the same fashion. In fact, wasn't there a big debate about this at some time? I think you need to GPL your software if it could not function without another GPL'd component. So, since libc and related libraries are basically compatible across flavors, then you don't need to GPL the software. Now, if Microsoft built their GUI around XFree86 then they have a substantial reliance on GPL software, so their software would be GPL'd. Of course, I could be totally wrong here, but I think have the basics right. Regards, Dustin >Shannon > >On Wed, 2002-07-31 at 11:21, Dustin Puryear wrote: > > That is an interesting article. In general however I do not share Joe's > > concern. In my mind competition is good, even if the competition is from > > Microsoft. Certainly, Microsoft has shown a knack for dominating most > > markets that it enters. But, in my mind, any competition in the > Linux-space > > is a good idea and will only help the technology grow and mature. Now, if > > and when Microsoft enters the Linux market with a GUI to replace the X > > Window System and then tries to dominate the market through illegal or > > unethical means, then there is a problem. But until that time, the more > > competition the better. And on the flip side, it is entirely possible that > > once Microsoft works with Linux and open source technology to build a > > product that they will see the light. > > > > Regards, Dustin > > > > At 06:49 AM 7/31/2002 -0700, John Hebert wrote: > > >Interesting article, with a twist of paranoia. > > > > > >http://www.idg.net/go.cgi?id=718992 > > > > > >"... > > > But unlike Apple, I am not talking about Microsoft > > >using the Linux kernel for Windows. I am talking about > > >Microsoft making a drop-in GUI replacement for X > > >Window System. A proprietary GUI. A closed GUI. A GUI > > >with clout. An extend and embrace GUI. Get the > > >picture? > > >..." > > > > > >John Hebert > > > > > >__________________________________________________ > > >Do You Yahoo!? > > >Yahoo! Health - Feel better, live better > > >http://health.yahoo.com > > > > > >_______________________________________________ > > >General mailing list > > >[email protected] > > >http://brlug.net/mailman/listinfo/general_brlug.net > > > > > > --- > > Dustin Puryear <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > Puryear Information Technology > > Windows, UNIX, and IT Consulting > > http://www.puryear-it.com > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > General mailing list > > [email protected] > > http://brlug.net/mailman/listinfo/general_brlug.net >-- >Shannon Roddy >__________________________________________________________________ >Systems Administrator California Institute of Technology >[EMAIL PROTECTED] LIGO Livingston Observatory >ph: (225)686-3106 19100 LIGO Lane >fx: (225)686-7189 Livingston, LA 70754 >Web Page http://www.ligo-la.caltech.edu/~sroddy >Calendar/Schedule See Home Page >Wireless Email (255 Chars) [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >_______________________________________________ >General mailing list >[email protected] >http://brlug.net/mailman/listinfo/general_brlug.net --- Dustin Puryear <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Puryear Information Technology Windows, UNIX, and IT Consulting http://www.puryear-it.com
