Computers and Society Examine the extent to which Richard Stallman’s GNU manifesto has succeeded...
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Transcript of Computers and Society Examine the extent to which Richard Stallman’s GNU manifesto has succeeded...
Computers and Society
Examine the extent to which Richard
Stallman’s GNU manifesto has succeeded in
challenging the dominance of
conventionally distributed software.
Seminar presented byThomas de Lazzari – [email protected]
Napier University
Overview
History and definition
From Utopia to Recognition
Why this challenge ?
Conclusion
Richard M. Stallman
Early developer of Unix for MIT Founded Free Software Foundation in 1985 “Dedicated to promoting computer users’ right to
use, study, copy, modify, and redistribute computer programs.”
Free Software ≠ Free Beer Think of it as Free Speech
Free Software Foundation General Public
License - GPL in 1991 The community
rather than the company
Copyleft No limits on software
released under this license
Opposite of proprietary software
The meaning of “free” software
Open Source vs. Free Software Development
Technique Better Software Allows software to
‘evolve’ Sun, Apple, Netscape,
…
Political Philosophy Ethical Rights Allows unconditional
‘sharing’ and collaboration Only GNU/FSF meet
standards
Richard M. Stallman (FSF)Eric Raymond (OSI)
The cathedral and The bazaar
First worldwide claim of the importance of free software development
Consequences Netscape decides to release Mozilla The Halloween documents written at Microsoft
Huge media cover!
GNU/Linux
GNU manifesto written in 1983.
GNU Project : develop Unix-like operating system that is free software.
Each year : massive growth ofusers : 200 to 300% and in tight competition with Windows NT on the server market.
GNU Tools + Linux = GNU/Linux
Oracle vs MySQL
OSS database that is very fast 22% of the database market 0.02% of worldwide revenue for databases
($5 million 2002 - should double in 2003) Users: Yahoo!, Google, SAP & OSU Different license: OSS but commercial orgs
must pay $395 per server Similar Oracle install is $20,000
[Commercial] Open Source projects
Mozilla / Netscape: web browserwww.mozilla.org
OpenOffice / StarOffice : MS Office clonewww.openoffice.org
NetBeans / Forte for Java : Java IDEwww.netbeans.org
Darwin / MacOs X : operating systemwww.opensource.apple.com
Some other OSS Examples
Many other “free software” are now essentials onthe internet market. Here are the main examples :
Apache : daemon http, 60% of the web servers far away from IIS.
Sendmail : mail server solution, almost the only one used.
Named : name server, leader on the market. Name resolution are essential for internet.
gcc/g++/gdb : compilers for a lot of software.
Microsoft the Great Satan ?
Microsoft active hostility towards free software : making software proprietary. various methods : designing secret protocols and file formats, and
patenting algorithms and software features - “Halloween documents”
Not alone : software industry based on dividing users and taking away their freedom.
The only real significance of the “Halloween documents” is that Microsoft seems to think that the GNU/Linux system has the potential for great success.
Why does the OSS model work?
Too many resources to fail So many eyeballs looking at the code Runs on inexpensive hardware Reliability Costless
For a company, licenses costs are huge. For example Windows 2000 and Office 2000 cost approximatively 350£ for a professional. And nothing compared to other specific software.
Final Thoughts “When it comes to defending the freedom of
others, to lie down and do nothing is an act of weakness, not humility.” , RMS
The GNU manifesto from Richard Stallman has revealed the necessity of free software.
First step to prevent a total dominance of conventionally distributed software.
References
www.gnu.org www.opensource.org
Eric Raymond : “Open Source Initiative” www.fsf.org
Richard Stallman : “Free Software Foundation” www.stallman.org
Richard Stallman's Personal Home Page