Re:
"This may be one of those things that comes on explosively - like a nuclear
reaction. It seems to me that a number of factors in the evolution of
computing, predominant of which is the growing scale of the internet, are
coming together and nearing a point of critical mass where the benefits of
open source software become blindingly and overwhelmingly obvious."
Yes! There is a convergence of factors that will lead to explosive growth
(IMHO). We are experiencing what is perhaps a second or third order effect
of the internet, downsizing, rebellion against the Microsoft monoculture
(ecologically speaking) etc. I'm academically trained as an ecologist... and
OSS evolution has all the trappings of the kind of organic exponential
growth you see in nature.
Joseph
Joseph Dal Molin
Office: 1.416.232.1206
Cell Phone: 1.416.818.9156
-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Self <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: Wednesday, November 11, 1998 10:32 PM
Subject: Re: Microsoft spins "Halloween" memos
>Thomas Good <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>>Perhaps...but I think the fact that Linux is the only unice gaining market
>>share in the server arena is a bonafide concern...Linux hasn't made a dent
>>in the desktop realm. Yet.
>
>I am under the impression that FreeBSD is also growing rapidly particularly
>with Systems administrators of larger intranets and ISPs.
>
>>I personally dislike RedHat quite alot.
>>I am a FreeBSD/Slackware adherent.
>
>Your views seem to be shared with many people who are running large scale
>systems or systems where reliability essential.
>
>I am coming from a MUMPS background and still new to Unix (although I used
>it many years ago as a student). We have just recently installed both
>Redhat Linux and FreeBSD on test systems in our shop. I am planning on
>setting up Apache (possibly Stronghold SSL secured) on one or both as an
>adjunct to the HTTP server that we implemented in MUMPS to provide a
>Netscape interface to our hospital information system.
>
>I am very taken with the Open Source ideas and thinking that I should not
>have waited so long to give serious consideration to Unix - in some ways it
>feels very familiar, like I'm coming home to a place I've never been.
>
>>(Why ape System V when BSD does almost
>>everything better - and since FreeBSD has iBCS2 it can now do the one
>thing
>>formerly *owned* by System V: running commercial apps well.) Anyway,
>>we haven't made a dent yet - but RedHat is aiming to create a GUIified
>>version of Linux where the sh prompt is hidden from all but the true
>hacker.
>>If (nay, when) they succeed M$ may see some numbers not to their liking.
>>Obviously the real concern will arise when Gateway2000 (et al.) offer
>Linux
>>boxes to consumers. But it hasn't happened yet.
>
>This may be one of those things that comes on explosively - like a nuclear
>reaction. It seems to me that a number of factors in the evolution of
>computing, predominant of which is the growing scale of the internet, are
>coming together and nearing a point of critical mass where the benefits of
>open source software become blindingly and overwhelmingly obvious.
>
>I find myself suddenly very excited about the possibility of configuring a
>large number of diskless workstations running Netscape and a minimal
>configuration of Linux or FreeBSD to become the predominant desktop in our
>hospital information system.
>
>>We agree more than you may think...Microsoft is a formidable opponent.
>>But formidable foes make big errors, simply based on their girth.
>>And it is probable that this is a blunder rather than a thoughtful tactic.
>
>Yes, or both. Personally, I think that Microsoft is once more far off the
>mark in their understanding of the internet and the emerging phenomena of
>Open Source.
>
>>Anyhoo, back to my bread and butter. Nice chatting with you James.
>>Veterinary medicine, eh? Got any code? It does peek my curiosity.
>
>What are you looking for? You will find some code following the links from
>my sig. Most is currently M plus HTML and JavaScript and a little Java. Not
>very much of the HIS is visible at this time. Java applets will soon be
>replacing many HTML forms and/or forms elements. I am getting seriously
>interested in Perl in conjunction with Apache.
>
>>Cheers,
>>Tom
>>
>>Tangential matter follows...
>>
>>On the way to work today, listening to Gang of Four, I couldn't help but
>>wonder if there isn't a way M$ can adapt one of their slogans:
>>
>>`Look at the world through your polaroid glasses...things'll look a whole
>>lot better for the working classes.'
>>
>> ---------- Sisters of Charity Medical Center ----------
>> Department of Psychiatry
>> ----
>> Thomas Good <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>> Coordinator, North Richmond C.M.H.C. Information Systems
>> 75 Vanderbilt Ave, Quarters 8 Phone: 718-354-5528
>> Staten Island, NY 10304 Fax: 718-354-5056
>>
>
>--------------------------------------
> Jim Self [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> VMTH Computer Services, UC Davis
> Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital
> http://www.vmth.ucdavis.edu/us/jaself
>
