Full Disclosure mailing list archives
Group urges limits on open source
From: "Richard M. Smith" <rms () computerbytesman com>
Date: Thu, 28 Nov 2002 16:01:09 -0500
Hi, Here's another side to the open-source vs. closed-source security debate. The computer industry establishmnet (ie., Microsoft, Intel, and Cisco) is throwing around lobbying dollars in Washington, DC in an attempt to "win" this debate at the DOD. Richard M. Smith http://www.ComputerBytesMan.com ======================================== http://news.com.com/2100-1001-975578.html?tag=fd_top Group urges limits on open source By Declan McCullagh Staff Writer, CNET News.com November 27, 2002, 3:16 PM PT The U.S. Defense Department should think twice before embracing open-source software, a trade association is advising. The Initiative for Software Choice, which counts Microsoft, Cisco Systems and Intel among its backers, said in comments filed Tuesday that the department should "avoid crafting needless and potentially detrimental IT policy to promote the use" of open-source software. "Open source" means every software developer can view the source code for software, modify it, and use it for free. The initiative, which launched in May and is chaired by a group called CompTIA, an organization that has close ties to Microsoft, is worried about a recent report that concluded the Defense Department relies on open-source software and recommended its further adoption. Written by defense contractor MITRE, the report said that free and open-source software "plays a more critical role in the (Defense Department) than has been generally recognized" and endorsed it as a viable alternative to proprietary Microsoft products. This week, the Initiative for Software Choice counterattacked, telling the Defense Information Systems Agency that the Pentagon should not "openly promote the use" of open-source software, arguing that proprietary products are not inherently less secure. .... _______________________________________________ Full-Disclosure - We believe in it. Charter: http://lists.netsys.com/full-disclosure-charter.html
Current thread:
- Group urges limits on open source Richard M. Smith (Nov 28)
- <Possible follow-ups>
- RE: Group urges limits on open source Schmehl, Paul L (Nov 28)
- Re: Group urges limits on open source Georgi Guninski (Nov 29)
- RE: Group urges limits on open source John . Airey (Nov 28)