Jabran Asghar
February 20th, 2007, 06:02 AM
Hi,
I just installed OpenSuse 10.2 and it felt quite professional in terms of installation, selection of software and the way it looked. I read some comments about Novell/Microsoft deal and its impact on redistribution of modified OpenSuse code and somehow a voilation of GPLv2. Here is a quote from http://boycottnovell.com/?p=27:
... Each time you redistribute the Program (or any work based on the Program), the recipient automatically receives a license from the original licensor to copy, distribute or modify the Program subject to these terms and conditions. You may not impose any further restrictions on the recipients’ exercise of the rights granted herein.
Of course their is a technicality, Novell is not placing restrictions on you, their partner Microsoft is. Review the terms of the MS Community Commitment , your options for “legal” redistribution are to submit your changes to OpenSuSE.org. Otherwise, you may only make changes for your own personal use, and may not share them with others.
"Microsoft hereby covenants not to assert Microsoft Patents against each Individual Contributor (also referred to as “You”) for Your distribution of Your personally authored original work (“Original Work”) directly to OpenSUSE.org, but only if, and to the extent, (i) Your Original Work becomes part of SUSE Linux, SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop or SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, and (ii) You ensure that as a result of Your contribution, OpenSUSE.org, and all further recipients of Your Original Work, do not receive any licenses, covenants or any other rights under any Microsoft intellectual property. This pledge is personal to You and does not apply to any use or distribution of Your Original Work by others." ...
a) Does the deal only effect commercial versions of Suse Linux, or it effects OpenSuse as well?
b) As I understand, OpenSuse users have no direct impact, but the OpenSuse developers will be bound to release their code to OpenSuse.org only. Do you also see it the same way? But if OpenSource developers are "bound" to deliver their code to only one channel, then it is not really Open Source, is it?
c) Does this also mean that OpenSuse can get the GPLed code from the Open Source community, integrate/brand it into OpenSuse, and then "deny" to provide any code improvements/extensions of the GPLed code back to the community?
To me, whole success of Linux is due to the "freedom" it gives to its users and developers. Personally, I am willing to give OpenSuse 10.2 a try, but also am reluctant due to the fact that is does not really "feels" OpenSource any more.
Any comments?
Jabran
I just installed OpenSuse 10.2 and it felt quite professional in terms of installation, selection of software and the way it looked. I read some comments about Novell/Microsoft deal and its impact on redistribution of modified OpenSuse code and somehow a voilation of GPLv2. Here is a quote from http://boycottnovell.com/?p=27:
... Each time you redistribute the Program (or any work based on the Program), the recipient automatically receives a license from the original licensor to copy, distribute or modify the Program subject to these terms and conditions. You may not impose any further restrictions on the recipients’ exercise of the rights granted herein.
Of course their is a technicality, Novell is not placing restrictions on you, their partner Microsoft is. Review the terms of the MS Community Commitment , your options for “legal” redistribution are to submit your changes to OpenSuSE.org. Otherwise, you may only make changes for your own personal use, and may not share them with others.
"Microsoft hereby covenants not to assert Microsoft Patents against each Individual Contributor (also referred to as “You”) for Your distribution of Your personally authored original work (“Original Work”) directly to OpenSUSE.org, but only if, and to the extent, (i) Your Original Work becomes part of SUSE Linux, SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop or SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, and (ii) You ensure that as a result of Your contribution, OpenSUSE.org, and all further recipients of Your Original Work, do not receive any licenses, covenants or any other rights under any Microsoft intellectual property. This pledge is personal to You and does not apply to any use or distribution of Your Original Work by others." ...
a) Does the deal only effect commercial versions of Suse Linux, or it effects OpenSuse as well?
b) As I understand, OpenSuse users have no direct impact, but the OpenSuse developers will be bound to release their code to OpenSuse.org only. Do you also see it the same way? But if OpenSource developers are "bound" to deliver their code to only one channel, then it is not really Open Source, is it?
c) Does this also mean that OpenSuse can get the GPLed code from the Open Source community, integrate/brand it into OpenSuse, and then "deny" to provide any code improvements/extensions of the GPLed code back to the community?
To me, whole success of Linux is due to the "freedom" it gives to its users and developers. Personally, I am willing to give OpenSuse 10.2 a try, but also am reluctant due to the fact that is does not really "feels" OpenSource any more.
Any comments?
Jabran