Computers and Society

Examine the extent to which Richard

Stallman’s GNU manifesto has succeeded in

challenging the dominance of

conventionally distributed software.

Seminar presented byThomas de Lazzari – 03009323@napier.ac.uk

Napier University

Overview

History and definition

From Utopia to Recognition

Why this challenge ?

Conclusion

Richard M. Stallman

Early developer of Unix for MIT Founded Free Software Foundation in 1985 “Dedicated to promoting computer users’ right to

use, study, copy, modify, and redistribute computer programs.”

Free Software ≠ Free Beer Think of it as Free Speech

Free Software Foundation General Public

License - GPL in 1991 The community

rather than the company

Copyleft No limits on software

released under this license

Opposite of proprietary software

The meaning of “free” software

Open Source vs. Free Software Development

Technique Better Software Allows software to

‘evolve’ Sun, Apple, Netscape,

…

Political Philosophy Ethical Rights Allows unconditional

‘sharing’ and collaboration Only GNU/FSF meet

standards

Richard M. Stallman (FSF)Eric Raymond (OSI)

The cathedral and The bazaar

First worldwide claim of the importance of free software development

Consequences Netscape decides to release Mozilla The Halloween documents written at Microsoft

Huge media cover!

GNU/Linux

GNU manifesto written in 1983.

GNU Project : develop Unix-like operating system that is free software.

Each year : massive growth ofusers : 200 to 300% and in tight competition with Windows NT on the server market.

GNU Tools + Linux = GNU/Linux

Oracle vs MySQL

OSS database that is very fast 22% of the database market 0.02% of worldwide revenue for databases

($5 million 2002 - should double in 2003) Users: Yahoo!, Google, SAP & OSU Different license: OSS but commercial orgs

must pay $395 per server Similar Oracle install is $20,000

[Commercial] Open Source projects

Mozilla / Netscape: web browserwww.mozilla.org

OpenOffice / StarOffice : MS Office clonewww.openoffice.org

NetBeans / Forte for Java : Java IDEwww.netbeans.org

Darwin / MacOs X : operating systemwww.opensource.apple.com

Some other OSS Examples

Many other “free software” are now essentials onthe internet market. Here are the main examples :

Apache : daemon http, 60% of the web servers far away from IIS.

Sendmail : mail server solution, almost the only one used.

Named : name server, leader on the market. Name resolution are essential for internet.

gcc/g++/gdb : compilers for a lot of software.

Microsoft the Great Satan ?

Microsoft active hostility towards free software : making software proprietary. various methods : designing secret protocols and file formats, and

patenting algorithms and software features - “Halloween documents”

Not alone : software industry based on dividing users and taking away their freedom.

The only real significance of the “Halloween documents” is that Microsoft seems to think that the GNU/Linux system has the potential for great success.

Why does the OSS model work?

Too many resources to fail So many eyeballs looking at the code Runs on inexpensive hardware Reliability Costless

For a company, licenses costs are huge. For example Windows 2000 and Office 2000 cost approximatively 350£ for a professional. And nothing compared to other specific software.

Final Thoughts “When it comes to defending the freedom of

others, to lie down and do nothing is an act of weakness, not humility.” , RMS

The GNU manifesto from Richard Stallman has revealed the necessity of free software.

First step to prevent a total dominance of conventionally distributed software.

References

www.gnu.org www.opensource.org

Eric Raymond : “Open Source Initiative” www.fsf.org

Richard Stallman : “Free Software Foundation” www.stallman.org

Richard Stallman's Personal Home Page