Microsoft gives Russia secret code

[ChakanTGM]

quote:"MOSCOW (Reuters) -- Russia has become the first country to get its hands on one of the world's most closely guarded corporate secrets -- Microsoft Corp's blueprint for its computer programmes, the software giant said on Monday. . ."

"Signing on to Microsoft's Government Security Programme will allow Russia, and any other signatory, to weave its own technology into Microsoft's Windows platform and adapt Windows to its needs and test its ability to fend off hackers.

With this move, Microsoft aims to strengthen its position in government markets, where it faces growing competitive pressure from free open-source software."

"To woo governments, Microsoft has said it will make its source code mainly available to them over the Internet and for free, provided they do not disclose it."

http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/biztech/01/21/russia.microsoft.reut/

http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/biztech/01/21/russia.microsoft.reut/

Does anyone else find this extremely disturbing? Yeah, like the Russians are going to use the Windows source code in order to "fend off hackers".

They are more then likely going to do a little hacking of thier own. All .gov addresses running IIS beware . . .

BTW, wouldn't it be great to know where the source code is made availible on the net? That in itself is funny.

[ April 08, 2003: Message edited by: ChakanTGM ]

[ April 08, 2003: Message edited by: ChakanTGM ]

[SAJChurchey]

WTF!!  First they give the source code to the Chinese, and now they give it to a former communist country.  Talk about a breach of nat'l security.  I think the government might want to get suspicious of M$ "un-American" activities.

[Pissed_Macman]

First they use the corporate corruption in America to cheat their way to the top, then they turn their backs on us??? The least they could do is pull a few favors for a country that helped them get corrupt.

[devlkore]

It doesn't matter who they give it to, it will get leaked and that's what we all want, so stop whining and just be glad that we'll all end up downloading Windows source code.

[mobrien_12]

It's another microsoft innovation.  

Of course, OSS did it first, and better.

[Calum]

rubbish. microsoft's "shared" source means you get a printout (or more likely CDROM) of about 40% of their system code, which is totally worthless to anybody in my opinion, also the licence you get it under forbids you to a) change it in any way for any purpose and b) ever let anybody else see it. this is a similar licence to the ones that came with the original AT&T versions of unix (except you got to read 100% of the code and change the code, only for implementation at your own site which is a lot better now i think about it) which prompted RMS to get so angry that he started work on a totally Free and Open Source alternative operating system.

[ April 09, 2003: Message edited by: Calum: crusader for peace & freedom ]

[mobrien_12]

I was being sarcastic.  

You have a good point about the At&T source code.  However, the thing that got RMS pissed off and started the FSF was actually a printer driver, not At&T unix.  He wanted to make a small modification to the driver but the manufacturer wouldn't give him the source (at all).

[ April 09, 2003: Message edited by: M. O'Brien ]

[X123]

Microsoft would probably persuade america to go to war with any countries who released the code to the public.

[devlkore]

Even if Microsoft release a slightly different version to each country so they can tell which country leaked it, they won't necessarily know who's responsible, ie which individual person. Also, if the code is worthless, then these countries will say "Bitch, give me the full working source and go make me some pie!"

It WILL get leaked and then people can start trully giving the finger to Microsoft.

[KernelPanic]

'Russia' hiss hiss!
Commie B*stards.

[rtgwbmsr]

quote:Originally posted by Tux:
'Russia' hiss hiss!
Commie B*stards.

12 years ago maybe...they are not communist anymore...

[jtpenrod]

quote:Signing on to Microsoft's Government Security Programme will allow Russia, and any other signatory, to weave its own technology into Microsoft's Windows platform and adapt Windows to its needs and test its ability to fend off hackers.

With this move, Microsoft aims to strengthen its position in government markets, where it faces growing competitive pressure from free open-source software.

How about that! Those lucky dogs! But what about the rest of us? How come I don't get the opportunity to weave my own technology into Winderz and adapt it to my needs?   :confused:  

quote:With this move, Microsoft aims to strengthen its position in government markets, where it faces growing competitive pressure from free open-source software.

In that case, Bill, why not go the whole distance and put Winderz under the GPL?    
_____________________________________
Live Free or Die: Linux

Their fundamental design flaws are completely concealed by their superficial design flaws.

[Lord C]

h0h0h0. /me waits for leakage tbh

[KernelPanic]

quote:Originally posted by The Muffin Man:


12 years ago maybe...they are not communist anymore...

It was joke. Go figure.

[TheQuirk]

quote:Originally posted by ChakanTGM:


Does anyone else find this extremely disturbing? Yeah, like the Russians are going to use the Windows source code in order to "fend off hackers".

They are more then likely going to do a little hacking of thier own. All .gov addresses running IIS beware . . .

BTW, wouldn't it be great to know where the source code is made availible on the net? That in itself is funny.

[ April 08, 2003: Message edited by: ChakanTGM ]

[ April 08, 2003: Message edited by: ChakanTGM ]

I hope a bus hits you today.