The Mono discussion may be tiring, but the fact of the matter is that thanks to this discussion, various major Linux distributions are now making official statements detailing their position in the Mono/C# debate. The latest to do this is Ubuntu, which reiterated their position yesterday.
To view parent comment, click here.
To read all comments associated with this story, please click here.
Member since:2005-07-24
They stood by and did nothing when TomTom was being attacked. Sure, they're good at rattling their sabres when there is no actual battle going on... "We stand ready to leverage our patent portfolio, blah, blah, blah". But when TomTom was under seige, OIN hid in the closet.
Edited 2009-07-01 21:58 UTC
Member since:2006-02-26
Keep in mind that the TomTom case was open and shut fairly quickly. TomTom chose to settle shortly after they got the OIN involved. I don't think we can be sure what might have happened if the case played out to the end.
Maybe you're right. Maybe the OIN is all bark and no bite. I'm just not sure that the TomTom case is sufficient evidence to judge one way or the other.
Member since:2006-04-22
I think one could take your point about the damage of bickering in one of two ways:
1. To people rejecting mono: Just accept mono because fighting over it is tearing gnome apart
2. To people who love mono: Just let mono go because fighting over it is tearing gnome apart.
I agree that it isn't worth it however given that:
a)mono/c# is not yet in gnome core and is being used in very few apps
b)there are alternatives to mono (java/python/c++/ruby)
c)mono is acknowledged to be more at risk than these other options
I think taking your point about the damage of infighting as a call for mono backers to stand down makes the most sense.
So, all you mono lovers, just let mono go because fighting over it is tearing gnome apart (and the other reasons listed above)
Edited 2009-07-01 22:06 UTC
Member since:2006-02-26
Ironically, even though I am a Mono supporter, this is exactly what I would suggest. There is really no need to defend Mono. The only purpose this serves is to get those who would attack it all riled up. If, as a developer, you like Mono, use it. If, as a user, you prefer an application that happens to depend on Mono, use it. Distributions that provide the applications that users want will be successful-- those that don't, won't. It'll all work itself out.
Member since:
2006-02-26
There are two issues that ease the patent threat in my mind:
1) Mono is backed by the OIN. Which effectively means that any assault on Mono has the possibility of unleashing patent Armageddon, and:
2) The legal doctrine of estoppel. From my (admittedly limited, IANAL) legal point of view, Microsoft has made many moves supporting the development of alternate .NET platforms (releasing a shared source CLR, standardizing C#, supporting development of Moonlight with documentation and codecs), and has made none to directly discourage the development of Mono. Given this, it seems that estoppel would be a viable defense to any patent assertions against Mono. I'd be interested in a lawyer's opinion on this.
Overall, I think the bickering over Mono is more damaging to the community than anything Microsoft could possibly do. I said the same thing amidst all the ruckus after the Microsoft/Novell deal was signed.
Basically, I can't see any reason why Microsoft would want to attack Mono. Patent litigation is expensive, and in this case, risky. Keeping your mouth shut and letting the FOSS community rip itself apart is cheap and easy.
Carry on.