Military Enlists Open Source Community 131
jmwci1 writes "The US Defense Department is enlisting an open source approach to software development — an about-face for such a historically top-down organization. In recent weeks, the military has launched a collaborative platform called Forge.mil for its developers to share software, systems components and network services. The agency also signed an agreement with the Open Source Software Institute to allow 50 internally developed workforce management applications to be licensed to other government agencies, universities and companies."
Re:Military Eggheads did not think put the domain (Score:3, Insightful)
It's all of the above. However, this is not a bad thing. Here's why:
1) the Russians and Chinese may have access to secrets vital to our national security, but we don't really need to worry because the Russians and Chinese are really only interested in supplementing their GDP with income from US military super-computer bot nets... this is a much more valuable industry than espionage.
2)Since its been slash dotted, we don't need to worry about the Russians and Chinese making money off of our hard-earned fat pipes.
3) Windows means that, when the paper work clears and the generals have OK'd something that they don't quite understand (this will happen in 10-15 years), we can simply email the Russian spy controlling the machine a
It might work (Score:4, Insightful)
sudo apt-get install us-friendly-dictator
sudo apt-get autoremove reporters-who-ask-the-wrong-questions
Re:Kids (Score:5, Insightful)
This goes WAY beyond source code. DoD and DARPA have been giving away technology of all varieties for ages. Radar, guidance systems, tons of computing and communications tech, medical technology. Bitch about the military all ya want...but be honest...stop using everything the military has played key role in building. For starters no computers, no internet, no weather reports, no flying, and certainly no trauma treatment in an ER anywhere...
Re:How dare they? (Score:3, Insightful)
I get the impression that you think this is an awful shame. Do you think we need programmers that take an oath to support and defend the Constitution? Do you think programmers need to maintain the high standards of fitness required by the Marines? I guarantee you that wearing a uniform makes it harder to code (it's much easier in flip flops and shorts).
It's unlikely that those civilians are actually paid $120k, but you're right that they make more than $14k. I think that (in many cases) it's an awful shame to have folks working in an office who are willing and able to run out into a field in the middle of nowhere and setup comms.
Militaries are built to go out and accomplish a mission. Pay somebody else to stay home and accomplish it.
Re:How dare they? (Score:4, Insightful)
he wright brothers were bicycle mechanics (Score:1, Insightful)
the only way they could get going in the business was through military funding, though they hated it.
the fact that the military funds so much creative effort speaks more largely about our society than about the military: that we are only willing to spend money on creative or explorative endeavors if it means finding new and better ways to kill people.
even the interstate highway system had to be sold as a 'defense program' for it to be funded... all of the people screaming about 'big government' and 'wasted taxes' have no problem doing the exact same programs if you call it 'military/defense spending'.
obama should simply rename his health care plan the 'national body defense system', and claim we need free doctors to deal with potential terror attacks. then play shots of 9/11 and firefighters holding children.
if he wants green energy, he should claim it is for national defense , and put it under DARPA, then have 1500 sub contractors in every tiny town in every congressinal district building parts or doing research for green energy machines. it would have trillions in funding over night.
the human race, pretty much deserves what it pays for, and for the priorities it has chosen to spend money on.