ShadowRAM: February 7, 2005
Torvalds turned scarlet when Open Source Development Labs CEO Stuart Cohen mentioned Time's designation of Linus as one of the planet's most influential people. Asked if open source could become a coordinated, massive borg to oust Microsoft, Torvalds said the micromanagement endemic to most corporations is counterproductive. Symbiosis happens naturally, he said, revealing his preference for decentralization. "Communication between projects is a huge overhead. That takes away energy from each independent project."
Summit sources said Wall Street's love of Google is not helping its employees, who are flipping out. Having a company run by open-source engineers and the attendant lack of coordination is driving them nuts. They actually want middle management. Imagine that.
Other summit buzz centered on patent issues and whether Microsoft will sue an open-source vendor over alleged patent violations. Lawyers postulated that the software giant wouldn't dare pursue litigation against the white hats for fear of alienating justice departments here and abroadand stirring up the sort of PR nightmare that plagues SCO Group.
Lotus founder Mitch Kapor is unconvinced, saying Microsoft likely will go for it if open-source marginalizes its business. The use of "patent weapons of mass destruction" could be Microsoft's last stand. If open source becomes the economically superior way to make software, "of course [Microsoft is] going to unleash the WMDs," he said.
Kapor, now with the Open Source Applications Foundation, continues to develop, at snail's pace, his "Chandler" open-source PIM. He promises it'll get real in 2005.
Computer Associates' decision to bring in Ernst and Young to jointly offer a Security Attack and Penetration Assessment Service irked some CA partners. One said the combined service was "blatantly cutting out [CA] resellers" who offer such services.
Believe it or not, Condoleezza Rice has some of her own thoughts on IT. Talking to State Department employees last week, she said the state of Stanford's MIS efforts when she took charge of an overhaul at the university were sad. The legacy systems were "the most antiquated information systems you'd ever want to see," she said.
This at the school that has produced such techies as Hewlett and Packard. Not to mention the Google guys! Employment gurus at Challenger Gray and Christmas need a hobby. Last week, they estimated that Super Bowl-related activities could cost businesses up to $1.1 billion. Employers in and around Boston and Philly will be most affected.
Hey guys, what are you, Bears' fans? Chill out!