What is Digg?40 Comments
- davehendrix, on 10/12/2007, -10/+49Not so much the godfather, as the gay uncle of Open Source.
- jambarama, on 10/12/2007, -2/+37Google the Godfather of Open Source? No way. They use GNU/Linux, but they don't contribute that much back (as compared to others). Summer of Code is great, and the recent releases of Picasa and Google Earth are cool, but they are really peanuts compared to what other firms have done and are doing for GNU/Linux.
If we are to give credit to firms, lets give it where it is due. IBM has released hundreds of thousands of lines of code to Linux, HP has done the same. Novell gave us XGL, YAST, Ximian, Hula, etc. Sun not only open sourced Solaris, but they open sourced their SPARC hardware designs too. That is unprecedented and unequaled. Sun also gave us OpenOffice which IMHO is the biggest reason Linux is even a consideration for a workplace/desktop OS. Heck, even Redhat has contributed a ton of stuff.
And that isn't even counting all the thousands of volunteers who develop all the apps/window managers/libraries and pretty gui tools. Google has contributed a lot, and the open source community is grateful, but Google is pretty far down the list for GNU/Linux contributions go. - mvent2, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8"And Summer Of Code is a project they started so other people can give them ideas for new features so they can get more people visiting there sites so they can get more money for advertising."
Yeah, um... the developers are coding for established open-source projects, not just Google. How it benefits Google is way beyond me since they are actually paying these developers thousands of dollars each and these outside projects reap the rewards, not Google.
The list of participating projects are here: http://code.google.com/soc/
How about reading that before pulling laughable FUD out of your ass. - dSlifer, on 10/12/2007, -2/+9Yea I really hate when people get scared about Google seeing some of their information. It isn't really a Google employee, but an algorithm looking at all the info, and on top of that, it's getting you more personalized ads which right now may not seem too big, but think about when GTV or something like that comes along and gives you only television ads based on the topics you watch. I welcome my information, I've not too much to hide!
- geminitojanus, on 10/12/2007, -3/+10"Google the Godfather of Open Source? No way. They use GNU/Linux, but they don't contribute that much back (as compared to others)."
Care to rethink that? Google's modification to Open Source projects isn't all that great (as they simply don't have much use for most OS code), but what they do modify they commit back if it isn't a trade secret (aka their File system and some very specific optimizations for it).
"Summer of Code is great, and the recent releases of Picasa and Google Earth are cool, but they are really peanuts compared to what other firms have done and are doing for GNU/Linux."
Sure. Intel's donated gobs of code and helps optimize GCC, HP's done quite a bit too. Redhat can thank its existence on IBM's help, and Novell bought SuSE and helped it to where it is today. But, none of them actively promotes Open Source nearly as much as Google, boasting that everything they do runs on it, and boasting that it is the future.
If you want to think about it this way: the above companies are Open Source's parents; they do all of the hard, dirty work like changing diapers and cleaning up messes, but the Godfather is the one that sings the kid's praises to everyone they come across and writes the occasional check. And to me, that's EXACTLY what Google is. Though IBM would also be a Godparent in my eyes (Linux on a TV commercial, go Big Blue). - gd007, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7it is all good for humanity.
- SanderSpies, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6Open Source needs sponsors and Google is just one of them, without sponsors Open Source can't move forward. Just look at Firefox (Google), OpenOffice(Sun), Linux(bunch of companies) they are moving forward because companies invest in them.
Companies need open source, because it gives them a business advantage (read: quality and low-cost). And for these companies there is also another important aspect: image. Since we all now: open-source is cool - Gdjrptryjg, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6Then it is not Free software (Free as in freedom).
- hockey, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6The funny thing about Google is this.
If they ever release their own distro (as was rumored in the past) then I can guarantee that the masses will believe that Google invented the Linux OS.
It's sad but true. - glafira, on 10/12/2007, -4/+9I just read this because of the name. As for the Godfather of Open Source, isnt that why Microsoft is scared of em?
- somerandomnerd, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6I'm just curious as to whether you bothered reading the article after your comment, because I'm pretty sure you didn't bother beforehand...
- nofxjunkee, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4I think there are bigger open source players than Google, but it is great that they are taking an interest and supporting the community that bears fruit for them.
- Gdjrptryjg, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Annoying that the article uses terms "open source" and "free software" as if they meant the same thing. All free software is open source, but not all open source is free software.
- sakuraz, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5Awww....I was hoping google will make an offer microsoft can't refuse... but your gay uncle comment just blew that away:(
- babbling, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4If an application isn't released, it can't break the GPL. The GPL only applies to programs being distributed.
For example, I can take Linux, modify it for my own use, and never be required to release the changes to anyone unless I give them a copy of my modified Linux program. - agrumbine, on 10/12/2007, -6/+10I guess it's sorta true, with Gmail, Google.Groups and a customizable home page (where I see top Diggs every time I open my browser) Google does make me many "an offer I can't refuse".
- Isyso, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4The one point of this story--the ethical issues behind Google releasing its code based on the fact that they use open-source for their propriety needs, is misleading. Googe does, in fact, release much of its developed code outside of the code that compromises their search algorithm.
- inkubux, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Considering the fact that now they Hired Andrew Morton this week, things might change a bit :)
http://osnews.com/comment.php?news_id=15408 - babbling, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3It is unfortunate that programs like Google Earth and Picasa are proprietary, but we must also recognise that Google are probably having a positive net impact on Free Software, thanks to projects like the Summer of Code.
It would be nice to see them lead by example and make Picasa and Google Earth Free Software, though. - jamessavik, on 10/12/2007, -2/+4Don't put a halo on Google just yet. They are like every other corp: they do what is in their own best interest.
If Microsoft is daft enough to turn a cold shoulder to Open Source, Google is smart enough to embrace it. - bobjohnsonmilw, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I am sooooo sick of hearing stuff like this over and over. I think Google has the best astroturfing crew ever assembled. I swear, for the sake of humanity I hope Google never becomes something you can have sex with, or we're seriously *****; I swear; people would ***** google if they could...
- L0t3k, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3That's pretty wild speculation there.
- tackle, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1[quote]All free software is open source, but not all open source is free software.[/quote]
That doesnt seem right. - starji, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1@mvent2
Strictly speaking it isn't just the projects that benefit. It's everyone who uses those projects who benefits as well. Sure there a number of things that are developed that Google might not have a use for, but at some point people will contribute to a project that they can use, and then they benefit.
Google supports open source in an indirect way. I guess you could call them enablers that help foster development for OSS. The good publicity never hurts either. - jfinke, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Google uses opensource for their own purposes.
I have yet to see gmail, google calendaring, etc released as a downloadable tar ball.
Yeah, it is great that they run on linux and all. But, Yahoo has been doing the same with BSD for years.
Just because you use open source does not mean that you are the "godfather" of open source. Like someone mentioned above, IBM has done far more for opensource than any other traditional company.
And yes, IBM uses Open Source for their own purposes as well. - kramer3d, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1It's not which company contributed the MOST to GNU/Linux we should look at. You see Google's SoC allows tons of smaller open source projects such as blender3d to develop and that's why it is so great. Take a look at what is being developed with the help of Google this year: http://code.google.com/summerofcode.html
- crispytown, on 10/12/2007, -3/+3I have yet to see one piece of software come out from Google that is Open Source. Most of their stuff is freeware. Don't get confused the differences of Freeware and Open Source. If you don't know read up on it. And if you consider on the Summer of Code then your have forgotten that sourceforge.net hosts a lot more projects then google can think of. So if it only because of the Summer of Code then you are wrong on that part also. sourceforge.net would be the poo daddy.
- plusque, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1Google has an agenda, not a gender?
- tackle, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1Microsoft is scared of them??
haha... you made a funny. - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0google doesn't use all open source software.
- acea, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0Mmmm - the Google kernel...? Would you use/trust that?!
- lessigfan, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0@ geminitojanus
All good points, but I'm still not sure that Google has promoted Linux as much as a number of other companies. Some contributors like Intel may not actively push GNU/Linux (aside from recently open sourcing their drivers), but firms like Redhat and IBM have almost certainly popularized GNU/Linux more than Google.
Google is a relative upstart compared to these two. Both Redhat and IBM have run TV commercials, Redhat sells through vendors (Dell, HP, others), and both of them, by selling support, make GNU/Linux a viable enterprise product.
Novell did more than just buy SuSE too. SuSE was a dang good distro before Novell got involved, but Novell has contributed a lot to userland (see the post before yours). Not only that, Novell support and marketing make GNU/Linux a more viable OS to Desktop and Corporate users.
So yes google has helped popularize GNU/Linux, and from a digger or slashdotter standpoint Google's contribution to GNU/Linux visibility may be great. But to those who don't already know about GNU/Linux, Google hasn't done much to promote open source. - RaineFan, on 10/12/2007, -3/+1That's what i was wondering...does Google provides the source code of theire modified Linux kernel for clustering? Where is it?
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -6/+4They sound like they're CAPITALISTS!
What the F***!
Where do they think they are... America? Wake up google. - zoltanthebold, on 10/12/2007, -4/+1No, this is just another publicity stunt. Remember Google were also commited to "Do no evil" and make information free and accessible for all; right up until it potentially compromised profit in China. It's pure hype.
I am truly amazed at the lack of skepticism there is of Google. They are a publicly traded company whose main aim is profit. Anything they do must be evaluated in this light, including a "commitment" to Open Source. - angler8890, on 10/12/2007, -4/+1And if you consider on the Summer of Code then your have forgotten that sourceforge.net hosts a lot more http://www.ggcq.info/sitemap.htm projects then google can think of. So if it only because of the Summer of Code then you are wrong on that part also. sourceforge.net would be the poo daddy.
- MariusP, on 10/12/2007, -4/+1Google is a big corporation. They all about the money.
They have some very high payed financial advisers that made sure it's profitable to do thing like summer of code. If they get one good idea that increases advertising revenue, it a success. Some guy get a great idea. Google pays him his $4000. It works. They added it as a feature to Gmail or whatever. They get 10000 more people using it. They make an extra million a month on adds. And the developer sit with his $4000. Let's say it cost them $4 million to do this. They still making a profit on month 5. It's not about helping other people, it's about getting other people to help them.
I'm not saying there is anything wrong with the way they do business, I'm just saying remember it's all ways about them first. It's the business way. - tybris, on 10/12/2007, -9/+4Last time I checked it was much easier to get the Windows source code than to get the Google source code. Maybe they feel guilty... Or worse, maybe it breaks the GPL.
- SanderSpies, on 10/12/2007, -7/+1Wrong. Free Software can also mean just releasing the binaries, and not the source code (somehow, I'm thinking of spyware...).
- MariusP, on 10/12/2007, -8/+2Open source my ass.
I would like to get the code for Gmail, Google Calendar. I looked and can't find it anywhere. Not even there WEB API is open source. And Summer Of Code is a project they started so other people can give them ideas for new features so they can get more people visiting there sites so they can get more money for advertising.
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