Problem (was: Re: need help with tool requirement)

[bscott at ntisys.com]

On Wed, 21 Apr 2004, at 8:23am, f at ke1g.mv.com wrote:
> Heavily reviewed OSS (note not necessarily FOSS)?

  FOSS == (Free|Open Source) Software
  
  They are the same thing.  "Open Source Software" was the term popularized
by Eric Raymond as an alternative to the term "Free Software".  It was and
is a common confusion to think that "Free Software" means "without charge",
when it really means "with certain freedoms" (namely, to look at, modify,
and/or redistribute the source code).

  So I am not really sure what you mean by "OSS ... not necessarily FOSS".  
I can think of more then one possible interpretation.  Could you please
clarify?

> But then how can you be sure that the binary delivered was compiled by an
> un-hacked compiler and linked against un-hacked libraries?  Risk runs as
> far as you want to take it.

  Absolutely true, but it is a fair bit easier to insure the integrity of an
open system (where you know what the correct behavior is) then to insure the
integrity of a black box you're forbidden to look at.

-- 
Ben Scott <bscott at ntisys.com>
| The opinions expressed in this message are those of the author and do  |
| not represent the views or policy of any other person or organization. |
| All information is provided without warranty of any kind.              |