Microsoft Takes Responsibility For GPL Violation 364
An anonymous reader writes with an update to the news we discussed last weekend that a Windows 7 utility seemed to contain GPL code:
"Microsoft has confirmed that the Windows 7 USB/DVD tool did, in fact, use GPL code, and they have agreed to release the tool's source code under the terms of GPLv2. In a statement, Microsoft said creation of the tool had been contracted out to a third party and apologized for not noticing the GPL code during a code review."
Wow look what happened... (Score:3, Funny)
Hey folks, did you see that pig fly?? It was quite impressive. So fat, and trumped. Never thought it would get off the ground... But there it went...
Re:Good on MS (Score:5, Funny)
First I read some article about Gates praising Jobs [appleinsider.com], and now this?
I think the Mayans might be on to something.
...gulp (Score:5, Funny)
Wha wha what just happened?
Someone hold me, I'm scared.
Re:Good on MS (Score:5, Funny)
I think the Mayans might be on to something.
The Y2012 bug is exaggerated. There isn't much Mayan code in reality and what's there probably won't generate any irrecoverable errors. Besides if there were going to be problems, we'd see systems that depended on dates after 2012 failing now. You'd see things like extremely unlikely coincidences and bizarre flukes of fate. Since we don't see th%@HG%#@%YG@$^[CARRIER LOST]
Re:Wow look what happened... (Score:5, Funny)
Swine Flu.
Re:Give some credit (Score:5, Funny)
This is Slashdot! Everything MS does is bad. Everything, no questions asked! I mean, they won't even answer allegations that they sacrifice babies at the altar.
Re:How did they miss that? (Score:5, Funny)
How did they miss that?
They used Bing to search for the code, and when it found nothing they assumed the code was original.
Re:Good on MS (Score:5, Funny)
What next, Linus stars in an "I'm a PC" commercial?
What, you mean like this [engadget.com]?
Re:Good on MS (Score:4, Funny)
How about:
"I'm a PC"
"I'm a Mac"
Just as they are really getting into the commercial, a certain flightless waterfowl comes out and starts pecking both of them off the screen
Linux: The Other PC.
This would work great for all of those annoying Windows 7 ads too. Maybe we could have something like the original Energizer Bunny commercials.
Have a candy bar (Score:3, Funny)
"I'm going to take back some of the things I've said about you, Microsoft. You--you've earned it."
Re:a big round of thanks to that outside contracto (Score:4, Funny)
MS - Mayan Sacrifices (Score:5, Funny)
New eye advice sought (Score:3, Funny)
"have agreed to release the tool's source code under the terms of GPLv2."
Anyone know where I can buy some new eyes? Mine just exploded.
Y2012 problem: Mayan calendar runs out (Score:5, Funny)
The New Age spiritually aware around the world are running up against the end of the Mayan Long Count Calendar [today.com]. Mayan date 12.19.19.17.19 will occur on December 20, 2012, followed by the start of the fourteenth cycle, 13.0.0.0.0, on December 21st.
The event was first flagged by megalith scientist Terence McKenna. The end of the thirteenth cycle would break many megalith calculations — which conventionally use only the last four numbers to save on standing stones — with fears of spiritual collapse, disruption of ley lines, Ben Goldacre driving the chiropractors back into the sea and the return of the great god Quetzalcoatl and the consequent destruction of all life on earth.
Megalith programmers from 4000 years ago are being dredged up from peat bogs and pressed into service to get the henges updated to handle the turnover in the date. “It could be worse,” said one. “I could still be programming COBOL.”
Sceptics may choose the Winter Solstice on December 22nd (13.0.0.0.1) to attack, to take advantage of weakened qi. In case vital services are temporarily cut off, spiritually aware persons should stock up on crystals, copies of Sun Signs, a duly blessed tarot deck and other essentials. “They should get as well a suitable selection of blessed Hopi ear candles,” said Y2012 consultant Ravenwoo Granola, DD, 31, Ph.D (Univ. P.T. Barnum Mail-Order), “unicorn posters, holistic medicines, Silver RavenWolf books, purple clothing, protective pentacles — earrings for the ladies, pendants for the gents — make sure the house is absolutely robust in feng shui, your energetic vibrations are aligned and your Eostre rituals are up to date and keep only homeopathic quantities of money around. I’ll be happy to take on the danger of handling the rest. Here’s a price list. Everyfink for the spiritual survivalist.”
Others dismiss the problem. Sandra Noble of the Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies considers the Y2012 problem “a complete fabrication and a chance for a lot of people to cash in.” However, Y2012 consultants deride “2012-deniers” for having their heads in the sand as to the vast and overwhelming spiritual importance to humanity of keeping their consultancies rolling.
Re:Good on MS (Score:4, Funny)
What next, Linus stars in an "I'm a PC" commercial?
Those Windows 7 commercials where random people describe how they emailed Microsoft about making Windows 7 better all end with the person saying " ... and Windows 7 was my idea!"
It all makes sense now. The people in the commercial weren't protected by the GPL, and MS took their ideas.
Re:Fair Play (Score:4, Funny)
They did "Man up", as it were. Yes, we are all pleasantly surprised. Inspired, I just halted my download of Windows 7, vowing then and there to pay full price.
Re:Y2012 problem: Mayan calendar runs out (Score:2, Funny)
This scenario would make a really awesome theme casino in Vegas.
Why go to all the trouble of building a casino when new agers will throw their money at you for rocks and water anyway?
- RG>
Re:Global Warming is a Hoax? (Score:2, Funny)
No, Hell is simply expanding faster than the rate at which the volume of souls is increasing. [pinetree.net]
Global warming could still very well be hokum.
Re:"When I worked at Microsoft..." (Score:3, Funny)
But, but... Aren't patents supposed to be reviewed and spur innovation?
We have been fooled!
Re:Good on MS (Score:5, Funny)
And I was marked troll [slashdot.org] and ridiculed [slashdot.org] for saying that this is what they are obliged to do. From the bottom of my heart, fuck you slashdot. Also just disregard the mod points on the post, look at the amount of people responding without even thinking twice about what they are writing. There is no space here for truth, only hormones of feeble minded fools. And the "mods", being us who receive mod points to classify the value of information in posts, are no better in doing the job anymore than the rest of you. Slashdot is the fundamental definition of "defective by design", and you'll come to notice that only the idiots stay longer than average. This is my last post, and I truly hope nobody cares as that would prove it being the outmost right decision to take.
Oh and before you respond to this in some sad attempt of ridicule such as "cry me a river" or any other internet meme which has already been done close to an infinite amount of time, know that I won't be here to read it. So knowing that you may go ahead and waste your time.