Furthermore, even with a copy, they could not modify or delve into the finer intricacies of the code, as access to the source code was limited to its proprietary creators.
Thus, savvy developers who enjoy working with operating systems could not use UNIX without paying a small fortune for a copy. Prior to the open source revolution, UNIX was sold only by large corporations such as IBM who meticulously protected the code behind their powerful programming. Problem number two lies in the proprietary nature of UNIX. A single copy of UNIX complete with documentation can easily cost as much as $10,000. Number one, UNIX can be extremely expensive.
These services can include providing internet and email access for your PC, making web pages available on the internet, and managing domain names (like usc.edu and ) to name just a few. A network operating system is one that specializes in offering services on a network. UNIX was, and still is, one of the most powerful network operating systems ever developed. It all started with a phenomenal operating system called UNIX. 2 for an example of a GNU/LINUX distribution), the GPL, and similar licenses and projects all arose at roughly the same time for very similar same reasons. Open source software, GNU/Linux (see Fig. The insult to injury comes when you are diagnosed with cancer, and are required to pay this large company an exorbitant fee for the cure you invented.įigure 2: A screenshot of gNewSense, a GNU/LINUX distribution. The next day all the people you have helped, along with your friends and family, are served with a cease and desist order stating that they must buy this patented formula from the rightful owner.
They find out that you are giving this drug away free, acquire a sample, reverse engineer the formula, and legally patent it. They want to sell your cure and make a vast fortune. Then, along comes a large pharmaceutical company with an eye for profit. Your sense of humanity is so great that you even make your product available to anyone who wants it, asking only compensation for the cost of manufacturing the drug. Immediately you start distributing this cure to your friends and family. Imagine further that during your search for the cure, you had befriended many cancer patients, perhaps even members of your own family. Imagine for a moment that you had single handedly discovered a cure for cancer.
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