Linux supporters fiddle while OpenSSH burns
[… Even if you don’t use OpenBSD, you’re likely to be benefiting from it unknowingly. No matter what OS you use, chances are you’re using the OpenBSD-developed OpenSSH for secure shell access to remote machines. This article asks the question: If so many are using this software, why are so few paying for it? …]
I cannot let this article be linked without commenting. I understand completely that OpenSSH is in need of money and that it would be nice if companies would step up to the plate and support it financially, but there are some things that can not be left ignored.
Apple do not just take take take take – they gave back to KHTML in both the renderer and java script code, they gave some of the top contibutors (to OS X/Darwin open source things) hardware now while Apple benefit from these things this is certainly an example of giving back. Hell even the core of their OS is Open sourced. I have seen Apple activly participating and supporting a LINUX conference ( http://linux.conf.au ) this does not equate to the take take take attitude implied in the article.
I am conflicted on this issue – should a company pay to include software that is indeed open source in their distributions, I tend to side that the software is open source and that as long as you comply with any licence restrictions you can do as you please with it and your responsibility is ended. I do however feel that if this software is useful you should strongly consider donating to the organisation that supports this development work, but certainly not as an obligation. I do also see the reason that they are after this money are for conferences where OpenBSD developers can get together face to face to further this project – has OpenBSD sought funding from companies using open source software, what has their response been?
I do also on some level feel that perhaps Theo de Raadt has in some ways contributed to this in the way he comes across in his posts and emails.
For as much as I have a bad impression of Theo, I will probably end up purchasing a CD set, if only because the current plight of the OpenBSD foundation has made me think of how much I rely on OpenSSH personally, I would encourage others and especially businesses condsider at least likewise.
M