Re: "Once We Squeeze All We Can Out of the United States, It Can Dry Up and Blow Away."

Ari Silversteinn wrote:

>> Is open source perfect? No, nothing ever is. But it's light years beyond
>> trying to reverse engineer closed source applications. So far removed in
>> fact, that yes, it *does* instill a high level of trust in most people.
>> Deservedly so.
>
> Didn't address the question.
>
> Let me rephrase.
>
> Is it possible that open source code could be written by adversaries (TLA
> or other) for the detriment of the using community? Yes or no?

Your question is moot and pointless. Akin to asking me if I think a kitchen
knife could be used to cut someone. Of course the possibility exists, and
we've already seen it come to fruition. Still, kitchen knives are a
generally good idea.

And that *IS* the point... we've seen it. Been there, done that. We have
empirical evidence showing how when source code is released, people can and
will spot BadThings(tm). To most, that inevitable conclusion wasn't a real
shocker. It's common sense.

-- 
Hand crafted on September 21, 2005 at 10:19:58 AM
Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend.
Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read.
                                          - Marx