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13. Our friends are our foes
Sun Microsystems is a friend of the open source community, and a friend of you. After all, aren't they the originators of OpenOffice.org? They have also decided to open-source Java under GPLv2, they have open-sourced Solaris, and now Ian Murdoch (the creator of Debian) is with Sun, to help them understand what the general public is expecting from an operating system.
Well, maybe. I have not used OpenSolaris as embodied by GNU/Nexenta, and BeleniX was not very convincing, although it was fully functional. I have read however the Entitlement for Solaris Express, Developer Edition. They say it's an "OpenSolaris-based distribution", however it's still partially proprietary. Fine so far, but have you noticed how outrageously threatening and absurd are some provisions of this EULA?
E.g. : «(iv) You will indemnify and defend Sun and its licensors from any claims, including attorneys' fees, which arise from or relate to distribution or use of Developed Programs to the extent these claims arise from or relate to the development performed by You. This Section 2.0 does not apply to the Sun Java etc.» Me, John Doe, defending and indemnifying Sun?! In a future life, maybe.
More threats: «11.2 It is understood and agreed that, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, any breach of this Agreement may cause Sun irreparable damage for which recovery of money damages would be inadequate...» If money is not enough, maybe they want my life, right? Or, something that not even Microsoft has not thought of: «14.0 During the term of the SLA and Entitlement, and for a period of three (3) years thereafter, You agree to keep proper records and documentation of Your compliance with the SLA and Entitlement.» Wow. Three years after the 6 licensed months, the FBI, the Interpol, the United Nations and the Martians will come to my door and arrest me for not having kept proper records to prove I am not guilty of any infringement of this EULA! The fine blend of freedom. Orwellian freedom, that is.
Also from out friends at Sun, there is a fine document: Solaris is a better Linux than Linux. I wouldn't mind if Solaris were a better Linux than Linux. Maybe it is, actually. What I do mind is the way they're trying to promote their OS: through lies. There is no way to have OS Support Fees of $10/mo for Solaris versus $106.67/mo for Linux! They have simply took the most expensive RHEL option, as if there wouldn't be any other choice!
With Linux, costs start at $0/mo, pass through $50/yr (SLED) or $80/yr (RHEL Desktop), and would only go to $2,499/yr as the most advanced available service option ever.
They manage to forget about the 10:1 cost ratio in other place on their web site, which says: «Solaris 10 Subscriptions up to 50% less than equivalent offerings from Red Hat.» Now, that's a different story.
So long for affinities in business. Or ethics, as the bare minimum. It's only business, dude.
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