Brian: Here's a link to an English translation of the letter from the Peruvian senator to the head of MS in Peru: http://www.gnu.org.pe/resmseng.html About the only thing that he didn't say was, "and the horse you rode in on." Good stuff. This is a guy I'd like to vote for. -- cmg
On Thursday 16 May 2002 04:46 am, you wrote: > WOW. I'm actually writing a research paper on M$ right now. If you > know and could tell me your sources for these things it would be GREATLY > appreciated > > Thanks! > Brian > > Miark wrote: > >Shane and I were talking about M$ products and the government. I thought > >y'all might be interested too. > > > >First, the Peruvian government is putting through a bill that would > >eliminate closed, proprietary software (M$ software) from government > >computers. The General Manager of M$ in Peru wrote a public complaint, > >and a congressman wrote a response. I was most interested in what he > >said about security: > > > >"To guarantee national security or the security of the State, it is > >indispensable to be able to rely on systems without elements which allow > >control from a distance or the undesired transmission of information to > >third parties. Systems with source code freely accessible to the public > >are required to allow their inspection by the State itself, by the > >citizens, and by a large number of independent experts throughout the > >world. Our proposal brings further security, since the knowledge of the > >source code will eliminate the growing number of programs with spy code. > >"In the same way, our proposal strengthens the security of the citizens, > >both in their role as legitimate owners of information managed by the > >state, and in their role as consumers. In this second case, by allowing > >the growth of a widespread availability of free software not containing > >spy code able to put at risk privacy and individual freedoms." > > > >Well said. And if that wasn't enough to stricken M$ crap, check this out > >(in case you didn't already read it in Shane's sig): > > > >"Microsoft has knowingly and willfully concealed information regarding > >security flaws in computer software from the [National Security Agency] > >out of fear that revealing such flaws would reduce the number of copies > >of its products that would be purchased by the government... I have > >raised this issue internally with Microsoft, and in return have been the > >subject of both bribes and threats." -ED CURRY, Computer Security > >Specialist, in a letter to Defense Secretary William Coen > > > >In other words, M$ risked national security for the love of money. How > >unbelievably vile! Just look at how much M$ cares about the security of > >the 260+ million inhabitants of its home country. > > > >I didn't think I could hate M$ as much as I do right now. Anyway, I > >really hope the US government starts taking notice of how other > >governments are separating themselves from the evil that is Microsoft. > > > >Miark
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