Subject: Re: Sun to compete with Linux
Date: Fri, 25 Apr 1997 09:42:09 +0200
From: Daniel Veillard <veillard@praslin.inrialpes.fr>
>> WORLDWIDE PRODUCT ANNOUNCEMENT INFORMATION
>>
>> SCHOLARPAC SOLARIS SOURCE CODE
>>
>> **********************************************************************
>>
>> * Leading UNIX technology source code available at no cost -provided-=20
>> another product is on the same purchase order =20
>> =20
>> * Competes with Linux strategy
>>
>> * Support, upgrades, and code change sharing available for=20
>> first time
>>
>> **********************************************************************
Yes, it's funny. It seems that Sun is about to throw out his technology
for 0$. Linux is a real threat for them especially in universities
and research labs where the code source availability is considered a serious
bonus. BTW it seems that Sun's future is Java, Solaris has become a bloated
code (too much "feature", not so much coherency), so they don't care too
much to make source available.
I'm of course sucribed to the Sparc Linux mailing-list and they also
pointed out that it could be a way for Sun to prevent university staff
from developing for Linux since having the source code need an NDA (Non
Disclosure Agreement), and once signed people having access to the code may
be sued by Sun if they make contibution to Linux kernel development.
I have been told that Linux should be available for H[even more boxes] in a
near future (OSF work) means it will support all the main platforms :
PCs, Suns, Alpha, PPC (macs and some IBM's), ...
what's lacking ?
Who would have believed this when I installed Linux on my PC for the first
time 5 years ago (0.12 version, four 5"1/4 floppies).
Also have a look at the paper from the visionnary Larry Mc Voy, when
he was at Sun (now at SGI). At that time (1993) he tried to get Unix
vendors to unify and ship source :
http://reality.sgi.com/lm/papers/freeos.ps
Daniel