2)in linux community is there someone controls the development and expansion of the open source free software(someone who is the pathfinder).if there isn�t anyone don�t u think ultimately there will be fragmentation of linux like it happened in the past with Unix.
There is strength in diversity, it is better not having someone control free software top down.
In fact GPL was created by FSF to give each individual the freedom to do whatever it is that pleases them, free software is the anti-thesis of centrailzation, and the reason for its success.
Unix cannot be compared to GNU/Linux because of its closed nature, lockins etc.
Secondly why is there no democratic body at the core which oversees development of software in open source arena I am talking especially about linux development.A democratic body if formed would not only help development of software and oversee it but
at the same time convenience people that linux is
not
going to get fragmented like Unix did and rise confidence in minds of the common user about linux and open source which could further be strengthened by the participation of linux user groups.
There are plenty of groups trying to take GNU/Linux in various directions, to meet various needs. One size does not fit all.
3)The companies supporting free software&open source are supporting with what motives is quite questionable. Is it to bring down a monopoly or make their own (this refers to the current battle between big blue & Redmond giant.and the takeover of
SUSE Linux by IBM and NOVELL)
You are right in questioning the motivations of those companies. Corporations have only one motive, and that is profit. I would not be paying so much attention to their antics. The code is still under free software licenses and as long as we avoid their closed software they cannot enslave us in another monopoly.
4)After the SCO case I think developers who develop open source software and especially linux must come together, sit and decide that further such
an event does not happen.(it may not affect linux
and
open source community but it does drive out
companies
who are ready to embrace linux by bringing suspicion in their minds.)
Reminds me of a quote by Gandhi
"First they ignore you. Then they laugh at you. Then they fight you. Then you win."
SCO has $$$, and the media will print whoever has $$$.
The free software people have done and continue to do what they can, see my website for Eben Moglen's speech that is periperally about SCO. There is a lot of awareness that needs to be spread, please join and help the free software movement, by being a torch bearer.
- Why is everyone trying to make a new package
(distribution) of linux by adding or deleting some applications and some core requirements .Do people need more distributions of linux or applications.
There are two reasons one good and one bad. The bad one is that the corporations want to sell something, remember "profits". And differentiation (brands) is one of the ways that they use to convince people to shell out money. The good one is that different people have different needs and I think having a diversity of distributions that meet these needs is a good thing.
The same goes with applications. How many music players is a person supposed to install on his pc.then why develop so many players instead come togethar and develop a music player which is absolutely mind boggling in terms of features. Wouldn�t this be more preffered?
Again it comes down to needs and diversity. Different people find different things as useful. Monopolies and monocultures are not good from a long term point of view.
A few general remarks.
I think that you have not fully understood the value of Freedom, I found that reading "Free Software Free Society" by RMS to be a great influence on my understanding of Freedom of software.
Also I see that you have intermixed Free Software and Open Source, they are completely different philosophies. Open Source folks believe that knowledge can be owned, whereas Free Software movement believes that knowledge should not be owned, and that everybody should have the freedom to use knowledge in any way they see fit.
Thanks Krishna
===== To Reflect, to Inspire and to Empower http://www.employees.org/~krishnap/
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