[gentoo-user] Re: A New Linux Way

[James]

Petr Kocmid <Petr.Kocmid <at> project-bhairava.org> writes:


> On Tuesday 10 January 2006 04:40, Mark Stewart wrote:
> > Hello fellow Linux Users!
> > We here at SaviourLinux.com desire to create a united universal way.
> > Please visit the website for more information, but here is the purpose:

> You missed the target audience. Here at gentoo there are mostly hardcore linux
> geeks, and we already have "universal way". You do not make a fortune here
> with a scam like this.

(Splash--WAKE UP CALL)

This thread has generated much noise, because it invokes the very antithesis 
of many things we hold dear: Irrelevance of Microsoft one day, ubiquitous
secure and distributed computing, fantastic multimedia influenced and 
controlled by the little people of world etc etc....

It has generated so much concern (deeply disturbing responses) because we all
need to earn a living and it'd be nice if we could do it, being perveyours
of linux (Gentoo specifically) yet we lack initiative.

I have often talk about preparing Gentoo for the masses, with little collective
interest. I have even offered to spent my limited financial resources to get
talented people to develop specific software and make it open source so that
it can be used freely, available in source code and also open to 
entrepreneurial endeavors, much like the BSDish licenses. I personally think
all of the hype over licenses are a waste of bandwidth. Who gives a shit,
statistically. If something is great everybody is going to use it, and 
it's associated technical perveyours should make money signing autographs.

'Savior'  is something Linux needs. The simple solution is for perveyours of
(Gentoo) linux to stop being 'bone-heads' and start being Entrepreneurs.
You make money, become affluent, you can write all the code and give it
to whatever cause you want. What the youth of this list do not realize is
their "Free time" combined with strong "programming skills" is capital.
use it wisely, and more capital will flow your way.

Specifically, I work as an engineer, with machines, industrial processes,
communications, and too dam many lawyers and politicians. Machines on this
earth are mostly controlled by SCADA systems: Supervisor Controls And Data
Aquistion (sounds sexy huh?) Currenlty MicroSuck dominates the space, but,
it's lack of robust security, has created a huge vacuum, highlighted by
activities of 9/11. Futhermore in the near future, there will be at least
100 machines (micro P with connnectivity) per humanoid and the gap will
only increase. AKA, the net of the future belongs to machines. Just look
at the number of peripherals (machines) we have today and the pending
explosion of every electro-mechanical device in your home, auto, work
and leisure activities, having 'connectivity' in the not too distant
future. Yet Linux lacks a robust open source SCADA plan. Many attemps
have been made, but, most have been diverted to the traditional business
model (come work for me and I'll give you a paycheck). Now is the time
to develop software so that all electrical devices can be seemlessly
managed and controlled. Whe have power over ethernet (802.af) and 
ethernet over powerlines, not to mention Rf chipsets that are shockingly
low in price. The current vendor track is build a new device,
write new software, and add it to the thousands of applications that
exist. The future paradyne could be: Develop a robust Linux SCADA software
package, make money migrating industry and consumers to it, and write
device drivers for any product someone builds. That way the cost of
software development is born of the open source community, and local
entrepreneurs can spin hardware with local manufacturers to build
successful 'regional products'. Gentoos get new toys, many of which
are built by people they know....

I have offered money to any young, talented  person wanting to make
a name for themselves by championing the cause to develop an open source
SCADA system for (Gentoo) linux.  No takers. none. Why? This could become
an excellent opportunity to teach software development, and migrate
the industrial world to Gentoo.

Leads me to beleive that everyone has too much cash or are scared to 'step up'.
My programming skills have atrofied (like my spelling skills) over time. 
Furthermore, I'd be most interested in installing this SCADA system somewhere
and generating attention as to what promise Gentoo holds for the future.
The more of an Entrepreneur I become the less time I have to stay current or
maintain my existing skill sets. Youth provides opportunity for greatness. I'm
willing to finance greatness. There is no greater need than to develop a
(Gentoo) based SCADA system. EVERYONE, except the commmercial SCADA vendors is
very, very tired of MicroSuck in the Industrial space....

Then along comes this "Savior Thread" where folks are almost interested
in giving away their personal capital in the pursuit of foolishness.

My answer to Savior Linux is "put the check into the mail, and I'll be
right there". But, I'm willing to send a check to someone that this list
agrees with, has the BALLS and BRAINS to build a SCADA software package
for Gentoo. I just want a licence that encourages entrepreneurial
implementation of the software, more akin to BSDishness..... That way
folks can build hardware, sell it in small volume, make a living,
and the greater gentoo community becomes greater, because we have
the newest/coolest hardware toys, and the software is part of a single,
very cool package that is easy to maintain. Under this scheme, developing
device drivers would become routine for Gentoo Folks. Hardware guys
could focus on hardware and gets their drivers for free!

If you are unfamilar with SCADA:
http://www.comedi.org/doc
http://www.modcomp.com/scada/scada_app.html
http://www.rtaautomation.com/modbustcp
http://www.jffnms.org

The rub is ( i use to love the rub: in engineering school that's where
some old, nasty bastard challenged the students to actually do something
with what we were learning) 
video controls and display of video needs to be added to the SCADA software.
I think an open API for rapid addition of machines and  hardware beyond 
that of PLC (programmable logic controllers) is important too. 
Think of it as SCADA on steroids.

I'm not rich [(3) kids; beautiful, nagging wife and a boat in disrepair];
yet this is something that I'm will to spend my money on, for the 
benfit of the wider Gentoo community.

Any takers? 


sincerely, 
James Horton, PE






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