> -----Original Message-----
> From: Rob Hardowa [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
> Sent: Friday, September 15, 2000 1:25 PM
> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Subject: Re: Linux is More Secure than NT? Prove It.
>
>
> On Fri, 15 Sep 2000, you wrote:
> >
> > I believe companies of alternative operating systems should
> buckle down and
> > have their products rated by the NCSC to better compete
> with Microsoft and
> > make us feel proud (and more secure) in using alternative
> operating systems,
> > like Linux. Please email companies of alternative operating
> systems, like
> > Red Hat, and tell them to get their products rated by the
> National Computer
> > Security Center.
>
> While I believe that obtaining a rating isn't such a bad
> idea, I wanted to
> toss in my two cents :)
>
> NOT obtaining a rating doesn't change a thing about the actual Linux
> system. It's still a great system...it's an unfortunate
> world we live in
> when people and products can't stand on their own merit, but
> rather must
> be graded and approved based on social acceptability.
Yes and no. NOT obtaining the rating will not change the current Linux O/S,
but we can't say that NOT getting some sort of government-certified rating
will not "change a thing about the actual Linux system" in the future. The
problem is that NO product stands on its own. Linux got where it is today
with the support of many hackers, crackers, sysadmins and academics that use
the system. If, like me, one wishes to see Linux penetrate the end-user
market, it is going to require the credibility of just such certifications.
We, as Linux advocates, cannot count on Joe Desktop to evaluate Linux for
himself. It is going to take a concerted effort to change his mind, that
is, if there are enough of us interested in that. More end-users means more
revenue, a percentage of which goes to R&D=more and better stuff for Linux.
<---------The remainder snipped ------------>
> For example, a school I attended offered Microsoft Certification. Of
> course at one point they turned out a few people that were worth a
> fortune. As soon as the program caught on they started
> certifying more
> people worth less money until finally it was so popular they were
> certifying more people than the market could hold. So there
> were a bunch
> of MS certified people walking the streets that couldn't get work.
> Although, and this may be akin to the Linux/NCSC topic, one instructor
> remarked, "having the microsoft logo on your business card
> couldn't hurt."
Whoa, slow down there. I don't think one can reasonably assert that a
comparison between Microsoft Certification and the NCSC rating is analogous.
Fundamentally, one is designed to include as many people as possible,
whereas the other was designed to keep out would-be members that don't
qualify.
>
> Similar to the Linux OS, I know a few good singers who aren't
> superstars...or even regular performing artists. They exceed the
> popularized talent by order of magnitude, but they don't want all the
> recogniztion and expectation that comes with the fame and
> money. Once you
> hit it big you have requirements...a new album in so many months,
> appearances, concerts, tours, benefits, awards....and you
> don't make those
> decisions, they are made for you. If you take 3 months off, a whole
> industry is put out of work.
>
> And on goes the analogy....there are great athletes who will never be
> recognized because they didn't want to compete professionally
> or go to the
> olympics....there are movie stars who, despite their hats in writing,
> directing and acting, have never received an award....
As mentioned above, there are those who would like to see Linux as a
mainstream contender. The nice part of Open Source is that, even if you
don't care one way or another, nobody gets on your case about it, and you
can still reap the benefits if it does.
> While I don't believe it could hurt for Linux to have a good
> NCSC rating, I
> think it's important to recognize Linux for the benefits
> where it stands
> now, and from the rock it is built on. Of course, it's current users
> already do :)
>
>From what I've read, Linux would be the only "commercial" O/S sharing this
arena with NT. I think that would be a serious accomplishment for Linux and
the Open Source community in general. Also, let me say that I don't care if
Linux is the Windows-killer or not. I don't subscribe to the theory that
something must succeed at the expense of someone else.
> Rob
Another Rob.
> Never forget what a man says to you when he is angry.
>
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