Just wondering...
What if Microsoft studies the Linux kernel and actually understands it. It
then copies what it can and modifies it for use in the Windows kernel. What
if the Windows kernel actually becomes stable and high-performance because
it's based on the Linux kernel and other open source technology shameless
used for free without us knowing?
How do we know they're not wantonly using (or ripping) any Linux technology to
their own advantage? Since they're not required to publish their source code,
can they get away with it?
I'm afraid that this can happen and give Windows the much-needed technological
edge. Rip-off hard-earned, priceless GPL hacks, embed it in Windows, and hide
it in their monopolistic EULAs and copyright. Using their strength as a
systems integrator, they can actually integrate the different Linux
utilities, hide them in different dlls and other run-time libraries, then put
a user-friendly interface to it.
Voila, it runs stable, fast, and easy. They get glowing reviews and regain
market share. Linux hackers might somehow feel Windows is using GPL code, but
cannot really prove it since we can't peer at their sources.
Is there anything we can do to avoid this? Am I just paranoid that this might
be Longhorn, or what? Thanks in advance.
mikol
--
Thus spake the master programmer:
"Time for you to leave."
-- Geoffrey James, "The Tao of Programming"
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