[ All this stuff really needs to go to OT ] On Mon, 2006-06-05 at 11:06 -0400, suse@rio.vg wrote:
That brings up an interesting diversion... Let's say MS decided to scrap their kernel and make MS/Linux (as opposed to GNU/Linux). That is, they write their own X server to run proprietary apps, but keep the low level GNU free.
This is technically _impossible_! Microsoft can't even do it with the .NET security model on their own platform because of portability issues from its Win32 bastardization.
Would MS still have a monopoly, in the legal sense? If they're not selling an "OS", but instead are selling a graphical environment, might not these thorny bundling issues vanish?
The Windows Executive and core system DLLs are relied upon by various OS services. It's far more engrained that you realize. It was bad enough in NT 3.51 Daytona, but got worse with NT 4.0 "Cairo" (which was nothing as promised). NT 5.1 XP _destroyed_ what was left of the entire NT security model, and SP2 is a re-hack of the NT 5.0 model with countless exceptions. It is _impossible_ for Microsoft to port to a GNU platform at all. They have a hell of a time just doing it to MacOS X. Let alone all the security issues would come with it. -- Bryan J. Smith Professional, technical annoyance mailto:b.j.smith@ieee.org http://thebs413.blogspot.com ------------------------------------------------------- Illegal Immigration = "Representation Without Taxation" -- Check the headers for your unsubscription address For additional commands send e-mail to suse-linux-e-help@suse.com Also check the archives at http://lists.suse.com Please read the FAQs: suse-linux-e-faq@suse.com