ZFS (an advanced file system) was not included in the latest Apple operating system (Snow Leopard). Some speculated it was because although available under open source licenses, Apple requested a “private” license. ZFS is licensed under the CDDL; it is not clear whether that licensing scheme would prevent Apple from using it as it wished.
Mark Shuttleworth wants to think so, he has reportedly set a goal: “our goal, very simply, is to make sure the Free software ecosystem can deliver a Mac OS-like experience, or an experience that will compete with the Mac OS. . . So Canonical will in fact launch an effort to try and spearhead that. And over a period of 2 years, really move the dial forward on the desktop experience.”
An interesting piece on the possible disconnect between noble intentions and humanizing practices in the world of open source.
