On Friday 17 August 2001 07:16 am, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > As to linux being viral, I'm guessing that they are assuming the > majority of viruses and worms (or what have you) are being > produced on a linux system.
The term 'viral' in connection with Linux or Open Source software in general has nothing to do with viruses or worms. Someone described GPL code as viral because it 'infects' any software that includes it. The GPL requires that any software which includes GPL'ed code must also be at least as free as the GPL. So any program that includes GPL'ed code must also be Open Source. Which is a Good Thing(TM) to most of us, but a bad thing if your survival depends on keeping your code proprietary. Microsoft is trying to poison the public attitude about Open Source software by associating it with the scary term 'viral'. Typical Microsoft newspeak. -- Bud Rogers <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> http://www.sirinet.net/~budr All things in moderation. And not too much moderation either.
