"...Companies such as IBM, Dell, Hewlett-Packard, Intel -- and
even Unix cheerleader Sun Microsystems, to some extent, with its
StarOffice/StarPortal effort -- increasingly have been talking up
open source as the cure for almost any and every customer ill."
"Throughout 2000, these vendors have thrown more and more money,
resources, and people at open source. They've built open-source
centers and provided venture backing to open-source companies.
They've consulted with open-source leaders on how to avoid
violating the principles behind open source. Earlier this week, HP
hired long-time open-source backer Bruce Perens as a strategic
advisor to the company, in an effort to step up its Linux
initiatives."
"Be very afraid?"
"So, why aren't open-source purists afraid of being co-opted
by big companies? If they are fearful that the Dells, IBMs and HPs
might end up dictating to them, they sure aren't saying
so."
