The Free World: Or Not. Mepis Turns to the Dark Side.
Sigh…it was only a matter of time before this space started to smell like Windows. First Linspire (which I used and love, even though I wish it was a little more compliant to the LSB), and now MEPIS.
MEPIS has jumped on the fear bus and is going to start putting serial numbers on their retail distro to prevent unauthorized people from downloading updates.
Technalign CEO Dianne Ursini says that registered users will have access to the server in order to download regular product updates and fixes. She says the updates are free of charge as long as the user inputs a bona fide MEPIS serial number. Technalign wrote the security code that creates the serial numbers and ties them to unique Media Access Control (MAC) addresses of network adapters so users cannot share the numbers with others.
Tied to my MAC address? Oh God…
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POSTED IN: The Free World.
7 opinions for The Free World: Or Not. Mepis Turns to the Dark Side.
Robert
Jan 26, 2006 at 7:11 pm
Just another instance of DRM(Digital Restriction Management).Whatever happened to “Fair Use”?
Jon
Jan 26, 2006 at 7:14 pm
Yeah, I’m pretty disappointed to see this.
Kyle
Jan 26, 2006 at 11:02 pm
MEPIS didn’t turn to the dark side, the company distributing their software for pay did… assuming you call what they did the darkside. The article states pretty clearly that the free version will continue getting updates, so if you are a linux fan and don’t mind a bit of chaos, you can download the free version and update the way we always have.
I’m not thrilled about the MAC address idea, but keep in mind that businesses may be willing to pay for stability, and a company wanting to take advantage of that has to protect their bandwidth.
What route would you have suggested instead?
John Mills
Jan 27, 2006 at 3:11 am
Hi Jon,
just a little note of information that you should know, both Linspire and Mepis are both fully compatible with the LSB, more than a lot of distos can say. They are now both Debian Core Consortium members and use a Kernal certified to LSB 3 standards. I believe this is a very positive move for all the DCCA members.
http://dccalliance.org/
http://www.internetnews.com/dev-news/article.php/3525276
http://www.desktoplinux.com/news/NS2415181562.html
John Mills
Jon
Jan 27, 2006 at 6:08 am
@Kyle - I’m always on the fence with these things. The practical side of me knows that there has to be money in Linux in order for it to become mainstream proper. People have to be able to buy it and manage it through means that they’re used to. To get that ’shelf space’, there has to be money to pay for it. Stores won’t distribute something that has no profit margin attached to it.
The ‘unpractical’ side of me is a digital hippie who doesn’t want the stench of corporations or money touching GNU/Linux. But I know that’s not realistic. It’s this side of me that wrote that post - I don’t really have any other bright ideas to suggest as alternatives :)
@John:Wha?? That *is* news to me. Given how tailored Linspire’s applications are, I (naturally, I think) assumed that they had strayed far and long from the LSB.
On a somewhat related note, I’m about to embark upon my Linux Professional Institute Certification (LPIC) which certifes users on their ability to use LSB compliant distros. I’m really looking forward to this because there are a LOT of holes in my GNU/Linux knowledge. Stuff like you mention…I want to know stuff like that :)
John Mills
Jan 27, 2006 at 11:48 am
Hi John,
I hope your fine today, remember the two freedoms. There is nothing wrong charging for free software if you provide a service or support. Linspire charges for convenience and a fair price at that many would say.
John Mills
Jon
Jan 27, 2006 at 12:32 pm
Isn’t there four freedoms? :)
I know that intellectually, and I’ve defended Linspire on many occasions. It’s the emotional part that gets away from me sometimes.
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