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94 Comments
- Azmodan, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6Capitalism and communism are models meant to manage scarcity. It doesn't work in an economy where the raw material is basically free.
- moisie, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5For a start "Socialism" isn't directly equatable to Communism. Secondly Socialism isn't inherently bad, it has a lot of admirable qualities or ideals. You could probably argue that open source software embodies the "good" aspects of socialism out into good practise - of course socialism doesn't really apply to software or similar since it's an ideology related more to society as a whole.
Calling it Intellectual Property Socialism is meant to somehow validate the application of the term in a manner which isn't really applicable, however it's basically just an excuse for scare-mongering by playing on peoples prejudice of communism and all the "bad" things that came with it.
Capitalism in theory has some bad points, Socialism in theory has some great points. It's just - so far been shown that in practise Socialism and any derivatives are posssibly more corruptable. The accusation that Bush's government is for the rich and by the rich shows (if true) that capitalism is just as susceptible to corruption. It's a very complex situation with no ideal solution - hence why people are still studying the entire political system in great detail and endlessly debating it.
Ultimately open source may not be the wonder it's heralded as but just calling it socialist and by unwritten extension Communist and therefore wholly bad is frankly lazy. - senechale, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5Is Bill Gates a communist because he is sharing part of its money through Gates Fundation?
- nfotxn, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Socialism and communism works well and still exists in all our lives. It's easy to forget, or not be told, that there is a scarcity of lots of things in our modern world. There's a scarcity of cures for life threatening diseases as simple as diabetes or as bad as cancer. There is a scarcity of the people we need to provide those treatments. There's a coming scarcity of oil that's already taking effect. The space on roads for cars is scarce resulting in grid locks in big cities.
The irony here is that in America especially people think they're the one that'll be chosen to rise above all this. They're gonna make their billions and afford private jets and doctors and never worry again. Guess what? That's not bloody likely.
There are no communists hiding under your bed. But socialism is a real system with real benefits in certain situations. The cold war is over guys, you can put away the nationalistic jingo and look at socialism more objectively. - TimmyK., on 10/12/2007, -0/+4In theory Communism works. In theory...
Anyways I don't like that people in the US think that we live in a capitalist society. In no way or form was capitalism ever meant to be the most important aspect of our society. Democracy (or rather a representative republic as we truly are) does not mean that there has to be unchecked capitalism. Until the 1870's corporations were highly regulated by the government so that they couldn't take advantage of the citizens and infringe on their rights and freedoms. They understood that if you allowed corporations to become too large and powerful they would have the means to corrupt the system and representatives that were supposed to be watching out for the citizenry. Gee how surprising that they were right. The worst thing that ever happened to this country was when they started treating corporate rights as equal to those of the citizens of the nation. Watch the documentry "The Corporation" for a quick and easy to understand background on the history of Corporate America and it's origins. It's actually scary. - rohcky, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4^^ Completely agree. This country has turned from "for the people, by the people" to "for the rich and only the rich". The government protects the rights of corporations because it's the corps that line their pockets, not the citizens. Where's Thomas Jefferson when we need him.
- DaviDK, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3The quote goes "Linux is a cancer that attaches itself in an intellectual property sense to everything it touches".
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2001/06/02/ballmer_linux_is_a_cancer/
Yes, he was talking about the viral properties of the GPL, but that is only negative from Microsoft's perspective, as it is the one thing they can't bully or buy.
How can they criticize a benign license, when they have such an aggressive stance protecting their own intellectual property? - ralphmalph, on 10/12/2007, -2/+5Azmodan is absolutely right. Socialism as a failed system and thus one to steer clear of, only exists when scarcity has an effect on basic human nature. The digital world offers completely different context, and in this light this so called "communism" should be embraced - it lifts us all up. Microsuck is clearly frightened. But let them continue with their frightened propaganda - I'm invested in Google - the more Microsuck refuses to adapt and reform, the less innovation we will see from them and they will soon go the way of the dinosaurs. Good riddance.
- Berkana, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2The link, incase anyone wonders: http://cultofmac.com/index.php/2005/11/20/microsoft_disavows_own_software
- barbobot, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2"Who ever calls Gates "stupid" is stupid them selves, don't forget he is the richest man in the world"
Sooo being rich suddenly makes you smart? Does that make every poor person stupid? - penedo, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3Not much new. Only benefit from it is that maybe it explains some geeky issues to an audience which otherwise isn't exposed to them.
One point I MISS in this article is that it doesn't counter the claims that "OSS is Socialism" with a simple "Even if it is - so?". I mean it feels like the author jumps up and down a lot on "yay! we are socialist" but doesn't explain the simple fact that if Joe Programmer wants to get some help developing something that he'll never get money to sell then there is an infrastructure and crowd to get this help to him (I'm speaking from personal experience here).
Ah well, I'll just digg it.... - octothorpe, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Slate isn't owned by MS anymore, they sold it to the Washington Post.
- Berkana, on 10/12/2007, -2/+4Gates is behind the times; "________ is communist" is so last-century. Now, if he had said "Linux is Islamist". . .
. . . but I don't think you can make a good case for Linux or GPL being Islamist. - VegasNitro, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Keep on open-sourcing comrades!
- rohcky, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Not sure where the others stand, but I for one am not preaching Communism. What I am trying to bring to awareness is the danger of unchecked Capitalism. This country has drifted so far in that direction that the people are lost among the money grabbing. We have corps that send jobs abroad to fill their pockets while their own countrymen starve to death in poverty.
I'm sick and tired of people who mistaken blind devotion with patriotism. This country was founded on dissent; and it is our DUTY as citizens of the United States to question the moral status of our government. If you fail to realize that, then maybe you should be the one to "GTFO". - PantherX, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2So what if it is Communist? Social Security is Communist. BFD
- troydoogle7, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2If open source is communism, I will say that M$ software is facism... you will use our software or else..... Apple is politcal equivalent of Tony Blair, appeals to a small minority who bankroll it, looks good but doesn't always deliver
- jmccorm, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Isn't it really more COMMUNE than COMMUNISM?
- dgillett, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1They stated that Microsoft still owns the Office desktop with tools like "Word".
I find myself rarely using a desktop word app. It is far easier and faster to blog, email, and use managed content editors to communicate with people. Is that the ultimate goal of typing anything, to communicate with others.
Microsoft is in trouble!! - gaspero1, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I find it interesting that Microsoft slams open source so openly with one hand, while embracing it at the same time. If you read the Microsoft software licenses carefully, you will find that Microsoft Exchange uses Sendmail, an open source product, and Microsoft Windows Services for Unix uses Interix, which is loaded with GPL licensed software, including gcc, bc, ci, co, cpio, csplit, dc, diff, diff3, gawk, gzip, gunzip, ident, merge, nl, rcs, rcsdiff, rcsmerge and rlog.
- mnorwood154, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Why do we have to put a label on it? Does it really matter what Bill Gates or anyone else thinks of OSS? Look past the smoke the smoke and mirrors of "OOOOH free software is bad for the economy" or "Get the facts, our product has a lower TCO". Look past the BS of small people making statements like "OSS is Communistic". It's all just 'sound and fury, signifying nothing'. What matters is that the OSS community is contributing software to advance mankind's endeavors here on this earth. They are not concerned with locking everyone into their products so as to line their own pockets. Those that have become part of the machine that wish to hurl linguistic stones at the OSS community bring to mind children that don't wish to share their toys with other kids. What do you do about them? You explain to them that they are wrong. You do this in a non-condescending way and then leave them to their own devices. You do not put attention on them when they pout. Eventually they come around and realize that it is a lot better to share and be involved in the community (or in this case to develop software for the advancement of mankind as opposed to the advancement of the size of their bank account). Rock on OSS developers! Here is a thought. Instead of trying to label someone as Capitalist or Communist, how about lets just see them for what they are.....human.
- TRutch, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Power to the Proletariat!
- jrc1, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Geeks of the world, unite!
- sdaf, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2What's up with this fear for communism? I don't get it :/ (and no, I'm not a communist, socialist, or anything left-oriented)
- joeyjojo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1"How is *non-crappy software that people work together on to better* a bad thing?"
Because Bill Gates doesn't see a dime from it, duh. ;o) - vermin, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1lol.. how is a software license communist.
- microstuck, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1^
Richest being in the known universe - bshock, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1So what if Open Source software were an application of socialism? M$ and its institutionalized theft, poor product quality, unresponsiveness to the market, and DRM-cronyism are clear demonstrations that capitalism has various flaws that need to be addressed by other economic tools.
- NiX0n, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Don't let the negative connotation of the word "communism" fool you. Open-Source is communism. It's communism that works. The basic principals behind communism is present in open-source. Everyone benefits equally and there is, in a way, a classless society.
What really scares people about communism, is in real-world economic systems, governmental powers must be very strong and dictatorship-like. Open-Source, as it is powered by The Internet, a command based governmental construct is not required. - hammerattack, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Here's an axiom to consider. Closed source is to capitalism as open source is to socialism. (Communism isn't applicable, and was probably chosen for the emotional componant.)
I'd like to think that such an axiom states (beyond the obvious) that both models can coexist based on their individual merits. For some applications. Of course, the same people that refuse to see this are the same people who fail to see the strengths of closed source vs the weaknesses of open source, and vice versa. - treepour, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Communism, socialism, capitalism, etc -- are ECONOMIC systems, NOT systems of government. In fact, both orthodox communism and orthodox free-market capitalism aim (in theory at least) toward the abolition of any and all forms of government. In either, the "state" becomes a self-regulating function of its own economic life and activity.
In my opinion, the problem with both Stalinist-style totalitarian socialism (sometimes called "command" socialism) and with laissez-faire capitalism is that too much power becomes concentrated in too few hands. There's one and only one way to safeguard against corruption -- and that's to decentralize power. Hence, the beauty of the open source movement -- we share the power, we each have just enough of it to do what we want & need & to make contributions to the greater good. - Sunnz, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Who cares?
- Magreger, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1If only more less tech savvy people figured out that Microsoft isn't half as innovative as people think they are. They got a lucky card back in the day. They're still trying to figure out how to do it differently. Personally, I don't think the move to a new fancy GUI is the right move. I want SECURITY! STABILITY! and FUNCTIONALITY! Vista better not just look pretty.
- ColdWind, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1It's obvious. FS' nature is socialist.
- dvdcr, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1yeah... and btw.. what wrong with communismm?
Its just an idea isnt it? like a religion... just cuz u r Christian doesn't mean u r wrong.. right American people? - vokiel, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1"that al-Qaida uses open-source software to plot terrorist attacks"
Probably, yes. It doesn't make any difference though. They could use Microsoft Windows for all we care and it wouldn't make any difference. ;-) - barbobot, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1ebenthurston
if i were poor i would find it insulting that people would call me stupid based on my bank account. - anodari, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Well, out of United States and a few others places, being called communist or communism is not offensive.
- SupaDawg, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0"Wal-Mart is GOOD for us, right?"
joeyjojo, thats the most rediculous statement i've ever head. Wal-Mart is even worst than Microsoft. - Corrosionx, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0OSS as communism is booga-booga. They just don't want the word FREEDOM around, it's way too dispowering for the established structures.
- optimusfx, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I disagree that open source software is communist. Much of OSS is used in commercial enterprise. I use it everyday.
Some OSS is viral or cancerous (GNU), but others (BSD) aren't. Anyone is free to choose the licensed software that fits them best. - diggnationdevon, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Very rediculous statement, he doesn't think its communism lol
- joeyjojo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0"joeyjojo, thats the most rediculous statement i've ever head. Wal-Mart is even worst than Microsoft."
Re-read my post but consider that I was being sarcastic. ;o)
" If I write a program which the Gov't takes and distributes it without paying me appropriately, that's communism.
"
By who's definition? - kris2per, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Wow look who's talking!!! Well I'd rather b a communist than a totalitarian!!!
- hammerattack, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Actually, the correlation is between education and poverty. Stupidity would result in lack of education or lack of neurological development.
- diggnationdevon, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Its a good ting Microsoft sold slate, this ***** would be removed immediately.
- ebenthurston, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0@ barbobot
actually, there is a correlation between stupidity and poverty.
check out freakonomics.com - ecantona, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0the oss movement is, in some senses socialist.
unfortunately, 'socialism' is not really a very helpful term:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socialism
{btw, these text boxes dont accept html tags, which sucks} - tdyer, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0almost. you almost passed Poli Sci 101. In a true communist state the government exists only to support the state until a worldwide revolution occurs, and then the state whithers away as its use expires. Good try though.
also "no, im not communist" isn't that what the commies told mccarthy? - Elranzer, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0"But in July, Microsoft released a beta version of IE 7 to developers; a full-scale launch later this year could choke off Mozilla's hard-fought gains. "
Yeah cuz all of those Mac and Linux people are going to switch from Firefox to IE, right... -
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