[LINK] Open source just as insecure as Windows

[Howard Lowndes]

On Tue, 12 Nov 2002, Dearne, Karen wrote:

> Wow, u guys are just like a bunch of Apple fanatics. No one ever allowed to
> diss Linux? Good luck.

Yes, OSS users are fanatics because they are frustrated by the FUD that is
put up my M$ and their cohorts, and I class Klaus & ISS amongst them.

The fact is that M$ products are mediocre products extremely well
marketed, and at an unreasonably high price and with invasive and highly
restrictive EULA.  The OSS world does not take that approach lying down,
hence when an newspaper article is factually incorrect it cops a caning.

> But
> it's well worth pointing out that Linux does have flaws, and there are
> questions of legal liability etc that real companies worry about.

That is never in dispute, but the level of vulnerability with OSS is a
quantum factor lower then with M$ products, and the OSS community is not
afraid to admit a flaw, and fix it quickly.  M$'s policy is to deny first,
threaten under some form of copyright next and then finally admit fault.

> Sorry, but we write stuff that we think is a) interesting, b) likely to get
> a reaction, and c) maybe useful/important.

Well you got the reaction, but mainly for being factually incorrect.


 Also, I might point out that in
> general I am a reporter, the old-fashioned sort, that is I talk to people
> and report what they say.  When I write opinion pieces or analysis they are
> usually labelled as such. I'm a bit surprised to find that some people on
> the List seem to think journalists should be/always are experts on every
> subject they write about and that they only write what they think, not what
> the subject says. Doesn't work like that guys.

I for one, do not discriminate between reporting and journalism.  They
both present material to consumers (what a nasty word) who mostly take
what is written as gospel.

> Anyone out there who can match this guy for talent and acumen please forward
> details, I'll be happy to interview u for the section.

I suggest you check out the bio of Andrew Tridgell from Canberra.  I think
you will find more ppl are more impressed with what he has done with OSS
than the accomplishments of many others.

-- 
Howard.
LANNet Computing Associates - Your Linux people
Contact detail at http://www.lannetlinux.com
"Flatter government, not fatter government." - me
 Get rid of the Australian states.
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If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?