[oclug]For the Mac / Linux fans

[James Leigh]

On Thu, 2003-01-09 at 17:03, Brad Barnett wrote:
> On Thu, 09 Jan 2003 16:20:29 -0500
> Brian's Linux Box <b_mckee at myrealbox.com> wrote:
> 
> > http://www.apple.com/ca/press/2003_01/x11.html
[snip]
> 
> Bah.
> 
> This has as much place on this list as BSD, Solaris, or Windows advocacy
> does.
> 
> What do I care if a Corporation that gives very little back to the
> community has improved it's ability to leech off of the success of Linux?

I disagree here. many of us here talk about how linux is so great (it
is), but it would have gotten no where without GNU and Free software. 
Mac OS X has plowed new ground at becoming a major desktop based on a
unix core.  Maybe Apple has not always been very nice too Free software,
but this is a chance for Free software to get some new audience.  Maybe
once the Mac community see the power of Free software they might even
change kernel (i can dream). 
  I think this creates a new and exciting compatibility layer.  Think
about all the proprietary software that keeps window users on windows
and macs users on OSX.  If X11 becomes standard on OSX, then we might
see commercial apps written on X11.  This would make porting the app to
linux much easier, making switching to linux that much easier for all
newbies.  Its a long ways off, but i think this is a good first step.
  Another note that their X11 layer is based on xfree86 4.2.1 (which is
awesome).  Imagine commercial games written in X11, or quicktime linux
port.  This shows that Apple is listen to the Free software wagen and
maybe they'll help out some time down the road.

some other references:
http://www.apple.com/macosx/x11/
http://www.gnomedesktop.com/article.php?sid=425

my two cents,
james
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