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| Newer page: | version 4 | Last edited on Wednesday, August 31, 2005 7:51:42 am | by JustinBaugh | |
| Older page: | version 3 | Last edited on Friday, July 25, 2003 10:14:32 pm | by JohnMcPherson | Revert |
@@ -38,9 +38,9 @@
!!! Linux does not conform to the X/Open standard.
The short answer is that Linux does conform, but is not allowed to say so! Let us clarify that. X/Open essentially requires a [POSIX] system with the OSF Motif GUI libraries and the CDE (Common Desktop Environment) window manager (see above, 'Unix is fragmenting' for more info on X/Open). The Motif libraries and the CDE are not open source and so cannot be included with a free distribution, but they are available. Several commercial Linux vendors and third party companies sell Motif/CDE packs for Linux with an OSF license (which is small, around $100-$200), which renders Linux compatible with X/Open (these 'packs' are not 'ports' but runtimes, compiled from original OSF source code). But there is no certification (yet). This does not bother most people as it is simple to verify that Linux with a Motif/CDE pack does compile unabridged OSF test suites, and that it does have an identical look and feel. Many developers who are targeting X/Open platforms use Linux as their development platform. The problem is
-beurocractic
, as the OSF structure and certification program was not designed to take account of open source systems. This is not to say OSF is hostile to Linux, they have ported Linux to their own microkernel (and this is used for running Linux on Power Mac and HP platforms). A recent uniforum conference demonstrated a unanimous desire on the part of X/Open members to find a way of getting X/Open (and hence UNIX) branding to the Linux OS, and it was resolved that a way through the red tape should be found. It is perhaps important to make another point clear, as we may have given the impression that Linux cannot run software developed for X/Open unless a motif license is purchased. In reality, motif software may be distributed in staticly linked form without any license requirements, and many common linux apps (such as Netscape and Acrobat) are freely distributed for Linux in this manner. Vendors of large motif packages generally assume that someone paying several thousand dollars for their package will not baulk at the thought of a $100 OSF license fee.
+bureaucractic
, as the OSF structure and certification program was not designed to take account of open source systems. This is not to say OSF is hostile to Linux, they have ported Linux to their own microkernel (and this is used for running Linux on Power Mac and HP platforms). A recent uniforum conference demonstrated a unanimous desire on the part of X/Open members to find a way of getting X/Open (and hence UNIX) branding to the Linux OS, and it was resolved that a way through the red tape should be found. It is perhaps important to make another point clear, as we may have given the impression that Linux cannot run software developed for X/Open unless a motif license is purchased. In reality, motif software may be distributed in staticly linked form without any license requirements, and many common linux apps (such as Netscape and Acrobat) are freely distributed for Linux in this manner. Vendors of large motif packages generally assume that someone paying several thousand dollars for their package will not baulk at the thought of a $100 OSF license fee.
!!! Linux has no direction.
Often said without specifying whether they mean 'directors' or long term goals. Lets refute both. Linus Torvalds, the honorary 'President' of the Linux movement has clearly stated the long term goal of Linux, world domination. Yes, one man who wants to dominate the world by means of his software. So Linux is no different to other major OS's. Enough said.
