{"id":1553,"date":"2009-06-29T23:46:49","date_gmt":"2009-06-30T04:46:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bytebot.net\/blog\/?p=1553"},"modified":"2009-06-29T23:49:10","modified_gmt":"2009-06-30T04:49:10","slug":"the-fracas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.bytebot.net\/blog\/archives\/2009\/06\/29\/the-fracas","title":{"rendered":"The fracas"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dear Nasrul,<\/p>\n

I’ve watched the vitriol on osdcmy-list<\/a>, I’ve seen the attacks on Facebook<\/a>, and on Twitter<\/a> and I’ve read all the comments on the Open Malaysia blog<\/a>, and I think its time I chime in.<\/p>\n

Firstly, I need to ask: do you know much about open source? I would highly recommend you read The Open Source Definition<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Next, you’re talking about Facebook, which is a closed platform, which was launched at an open source conference. Why?<\/p>\n

But more interestingly, you won RM2,000 for “porting” MediaWiki to run on the Windows, IIS, MSSQL Server, and PHP. For what it is worth, MediaWiki already runs<\/a> on Windows, and works fine with IIS. So it seems that your largest task, was to port the SQL, to run not on two very capable open source databases, but to run on Microsoft SQL Server (a closed source database).<\/p>\n

I read Final Day: MediaWiki – What I learn so far from LAMP2WIN and My Journey<\/a> with glee. <\/p>\n

So I decided to poke a little. You haven’t submitted any code upstream to MediaWiki. But what’s worse is, have you seen Bug#9767<\/a>? The title of the bug is “Microsoft SQL Server\/MSSQL support (tracking)”. It doesn’t take a genius to tell you what the patches in that bug do.<\/p>\n

Yes, DJ Bauch added support to MSSQL, via ADODB (work started in 2007, and its been ready since April 30 2009). Something you won money for. But worse? “.. winners walked away with RM2,000 in cash, a MSC Malaysia Participation Certificate. They will also enjoy facilitated access to MSC Intensive Technoprenuer Programme and the eventual RM150,000 pre-seed fund.” (via the Malay Mail<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Now you’re able to access a lot more money, for work that you, yourself, did not do.<\/p>\n

I think you should get off your high horse, understand a little more Netiquette, and behave. After all, Google will forever remember what you’ve said, and all the personal attacks against active participants in the open source community, which I’m certain can do you no favours. <\/p>\n

Kind Regards,
\nColin<\/p>\n

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