Are we there yet? (SCO Lawsuit)

Sat Jun 5 08:55:09 GMT 2004 Are we there yet? (SCO Lawsuit)

Link: SCO asks for more IBM code as case implodes

No, we aren't there yet. Apparently this is going to drag on some more.

Aside from anything else about this case, it is annoying me because misinformation about it is reaching the general public, and of course the facts are all distorted and confused. I hear things like "Linux is being sued, and I understand their investors have pulled out because they don't have a defense". How's that for muddled? Or "But isn't Linux dying anyway? I know it was popular back in the 70's, but.." Ayup. I sure remember how popular Linux was in the 70's, don't you?

Once in a while I do meet someone who at least has a clue. A now retired ex-DEC employee: "Oh, SCO Unix? Yeah, we did a lot of that. Wow, they are still around?" I smile and say "So far.." Or people who have read and understood articles about Linux and are curious about why they might want to look at it. But mostly it's the typical confused ignorance that is never helpful and can actually be harmful.

Too many people think Microsoft invented computing. The other day I happened to make a semi-disparaging comment about Bill Gates and someone retorted "Without Bill Gates you wouldn't ever have owned a computer!" I guess those of us who owned Commodores and TRS-80's and the like actually had Bill to thank, right?

Well, I've said it before, but I have to say it again: win or lose, this SCO lawsuit does no good for any of us with a preference for Unix-like operating systems. I wish it were over.

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