This is not good

[K.J.]

I was reading some past issues of Lockergnome Windows Daily and found out about a bill that could make the use of Linux illeagal in the United States.

Check out the article here:
http://www.lockergnome.com/issues/daily/20011217.html
(the article is under GnomeSOAPBOX)

To find out about the full story take a look at this website:
http://www.stoppoliceware.org/

K.J.

[sonneveld]

I just hope that this sort of scary legislation doesn't appear in Australia.  Although, to tell the truth, I haven't tried to keep up to date here.

- Nick

[Jordan_C.]

I read on CNET that this is just something Microsoft wants to do. Kind of like the antitrust that everyone is bringing against them

[uaru99]

Could someone clear things up for me, I looked for other articles on the subject, but I still don't understand what their reasons are for saying that we won't be able to use Linux anymore.

[K.J.]

I don't know how the Linux stuff ties in to it all. It's just what the article said.

K.J.

[uaru99]

Dispite how much I don't understand this issue, I am starting to believe that Linux really IS endangered. ?I've found a few more articles about it and even a letter written by the people at Red Hat complaining about how it will hurt them. ?I also found a copy of the actual document that is proposed, but it VERY cryptic.

>:( >:( >:(
>:( >:( >:(

[K.J.]

I've thourghly read the Constitution and I've skimmed the legislation doc. My interpritation of the Constitution makes this legislation illegal(not to mention the Bill of Rights, it protects citizens from "unauthorized searches". This software would do "unauthorized searches" on your computer).

You can go to http://www.stoppoliceware.org/ for info on how to fight this(legally).

K.J.

[uaru99]

Yeah, I downloaded it and re-read some of it.  Now I  understand what the threat is.  Any idea how soon it will go to the Senate and if it has reached the House yet?

[K.J.]

It was "introduced" on March 21(yesterday):
http://newsbytes.com/news/02/175390.html

K.J.(hoping that it doesn't get passed)

[K.J.]

Here's an article that ZDNet just put up about it:
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1106-867333.html

K.J.

[Andrew_Baker]

If Linux is outlawed, only outlaws will run Linux.

[sonneveld]

How much Linux could an Outlaw run if an Outlaw could run Linux?

Hrmm...

[uaru99]

Fact: The more I use Linux, the less $$$ I use for software. ?The less $$$ I throw into buying software, the more $$$ I spend on music CDs.