Locking the doors in the electronic global village: the end of a utopian dream

Article Abstract:

Utopian idealists in the computer industry continue to dream of a world in which information flows freely. One of the best known groups of such dreamers is the Free Software Foundation, Cambridge, MA, which has made a policy of allowing anyone to connect to its computers and has allowed users to copy software stored there. The Free Software Foundation actually has gone as far as to try to build a complete software system - operating system, word processor, spreadsheet, and other programs - to be freely distributed. Now, because of activities by vandals, the Free Software Foundation has decided to lock the electronic gateways to its computers. Richard Stallman, who created the Free Software Foundation, feels 'ashamed of participating in this.' He was forced, he says, to choose between important principles. Idealists such as Stallman have hoped that information technology will break down barriers between rich and poor people.

Social aspects, Management, Behavior, Ethics, Social conditions, Security, Social Issue, Issues/Society, Stallman, Richard, Free Software Foundation

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A director of research is named at Microsoft

Article Abstract:

Microsoft Corp names Richard Rashid to the position of research director. Rashid, former professor of computer science at Carnegie Mellon University, is known in the computer software industry as a developer of advanced computer operating system environments such as Mach, which is being used by NeXT Inc and the Open Software Foundation. The appointment of Rashid represents a shift in Microsoft's research strategy, which has hitherto avoided pure research. Industry observers note that Microsoft plans on spending between $5 million and $10 million annually on research once the department becomes established. Rashid is enthused about the ability of Microsoft to turn research ideas into commercial products.

Officials and employees, Microsoft Corp., Appointments, resignations and dismissals, MSFT, Strategic Planning, Promotion of Employee, Rashid, Richard

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