Columnist Dan Gillmor declares his intention to free himself
from the iron grasp of Microsoft tools. He admits that the issue is
more complicated than he anticipated: he says that the Linux tools
under consideration aren't as good as Microsoft tools, and he urges
the Open Source community to directly address what Microsoft is
planning with Passport, HailStorm, and its related consumer
services.
"Maybe I'll try the GNU/Linux operating system on the
IBM. Linux is the result of a worldwide software movement variously
called ``free software'' or 'open source.' That's the genre in
which volunteers create and upgrade programs and let anyone
download, examine and modify the programming instructions."
I probably wouldn't switch entirely to free software even if I
could. The profit motive has produced some excellent products. I
want to continue to support non-Microsoft developers who produce
competitive products, even as I support the community of
volunteers."
"The open-source community needs to focus its considerable
attention on a serious new threat. Microsoft's bid to control the
Internet is more realistic than most people understand. Web
services, the idea that we'll move traditional software and
services onto the Net and pay subscription fees, is built to order
for the Microsoft empire, and the appeals court ruling appears to
give the company running room."
