--- Shannon Roddy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 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?
Depends on what you mean by "links against any GPLd shared objects". Do you mean compiling code that link to GPL or LGPL code libraries? The common understanding is that if software is written using GPL licensed code AND then publicly distributed, that software must be GPL as well. Note that you can use/modify GPL code for internal (non-public) solutions for your organization and even St. IGNUcius will give you his blessing. I think your source was referring to the LGPL (Lesser GPL): http://www.fsf.org/licenses/lgpl.html . I don't understand it yet, but again I would think it would depend on how M$ writes the software. > 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? No. Remember that M$ has used BSD licensed code in the past (). What's to stop M$ from writing a GUI that only links to non-copyleft source like modBSD (http://www.xfree86.org/3.3.6/COPYRIGHT2.html#5) or X11 (http://www.x.org/terms.htm) licensed software? The reason why Linux and the GPL are linked together is because the kernel is GPL. Lots of other software in Linux distros is not GPL, such as XFree. And ultimately, what's to keep M$ from writing its own GUI libraries and not use GPL software at all? Like the article said, they have experience with M$ Office on BSD. John Hebert > 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 __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Health - Feel better, live better http://health.yahoo.com
