A group of Apple developers, concerned that boom times for the Linux operating system could deal a harsh blow to the Macintosh, is lobbying Apple Computer to liberate a chunk of its secret source code.
"By moving to an open source," Don Yacktman wrote in his Modest Proposal, "Apple would position itself as an ally to the open source and Linux communities and bring tremendous benefits to Apple for little or no cost, while alleviating a number of the hazards presently facing Apple."
The big "hazard" in Yacktman's eye is not Linux, but programmers' resources, or the lack of them. Most developers write their software specifically for Microsoft Windows and, at most, one other operating system. Linux, a Unix-like operating system that is all the rage with programmers, is getting more popular by the day. As Linux gets more attention, Yacktman worries that "Apple will get caught in the cross fire and be squeezed out."
So, Yacktman, fellow developer Pat Taylor, and some unidentified Apple engineers put together a proposal asking Apple (AAPL) to release the source code of the new Mac OS X Server software, formerly known as Rhapsody and due for release next year.
Specifically, they want Apple to release the programming instructions that make up the Mach kernel and the Berkeley Systems Distribution Unix core, the central parts of the operating systems that translate instructions between the software and the hardware. They also want the source code to the Driver Kit, which allows developers to write programs to connect the hardware with peripheral devices.
"Little would be lost to Apple by sharing the source code [since much of it comes from open standards and open source projects]," said Taylor, who runs the Rhapsody on Intel Advocacy site. "Things like Apple's object-oriented driver model could increase in value through the synergy from opening it up."
Though they are taking a cue from Netscape Communications' free source code initiative earlier this year, the developers aren't encouraging Apple to free its entire code.
"Apple's Mac OS X can be thought of as an onion with many layers," said Yacktman. "I'm asking for Apple to make the innermost layer, the one that communicates with the hardware, open. But Apple has a lot of value-added things beyond that. I'm not suggesting they give any of that away."
Yacktman and company sent the proposal to Apple's interim chief, Steve Jobs, about 10 days ago. So far, Apple isn't giving any hints about what it thinks.
"We're aware of the proposal. Beyond that, I really can't say anything," said Apple spokeswoman Staci Sheppard.
In theory, a free source code encourages developers and system administrators to more readily adopt the software, with the knowledge that they can make whatever changes they want. That, in turn, could inspire them to develop more applications for the Mac, giving consumers reason to stick with the platform.
At the same time, open source projects invite a strengthening of the code itself, by inviting thousands of minds to comb through it, refining and debugging as they go. It was exactly that process that got Linux where it is today.
Yacktman and Taylor believe by opening the Driver Kit source code, for example, Apple could keep alive the Mac OS X Server for Intel, which the company plans to abandon after an initial release next year. "Apple didn't think they would be able to provide all the drivers," said Taylor, who thinks that to keep some developers interested in the Mac, they need to be given the option of creating Mac OS applications for Intel computers.
"Given the relative ease with which one can develop device drivers with OS X, releasing the source to the driver kit alone would allow for a much wider array of 'supported by the user community' hardware without costing Apple much at all," agreed Bill Bumgarner, a developer with CodeFab.
Chris DiBona, vice president of the Silicon Valley Linux User's Group is "all for Apple opening its source code. It may be the only thing that will save their hardware platform." But he scoffs at the notion that Linux users are encroaching on Mac space.
Taylor argued, "Linux is growing at a horrifyingly fast rate. If Linux gains more support and credibility, and all signs are that it will, then Apple becomes No. 3 and is pretty much out of the race."
To date, Linux has somewhere between 5 million and 10.5 million users, according to estimates by Red Hat Software, which develops Linux-related products. It's difficult to determine the number of users since the software is free, but an estimate bandied about the Linux community is 7.5 million.
Lately, beefy enterprise software-makers like Oracle (ORCL), Informix (IFMX), and Netscape (NSCP) have been releasing applications to run on Linux, increasing its value as an operating system. Apple, meanwhile, has had to fight to keep software makers like Intuit (INTU) producing popular applications, such as Quicken, for its platform.
Not everyone sees Linux as a threat, however. "Hooey," said Stan Flack, president of the MacCentral news site. "I think it's much ado about nothing."
Though wary of Linux's fast growth, Yacktman isn't interested in provoking an OS showdown. "What I'd really like to see is Apple's technology proliferate," he said.
