Free Software
GPL Endrun: Value-Added Binaries
Mar 10th
An interesting hypothetical over at ESR’s blog, “Plug for a worthy project: Softbound“. I encourage you to read the post and commentary after my brief summary, so you can see if your thoughts change after reading the discussion there!
The Facts
SoftBound is a BSD-licensed “value-added” compiler. Give it some source code and it can produce “hardened” binaries that are more secure because they are immune to buffer overflows. It makes no changes to the source code.
The Hypothetical
A company, using a proprietary and closed “value-added” compiler compiles GPL software and sells the binaries. Source code available. Binaries locked up tight.
The Question
Is this a problem? More >
Fedora 13: Punny Stuff
Mar 10th
I like Fedora, and just got done with playing with F12 on my netbook. (I have Jolicloud on there now, I usually try 2-3 distros a month on it).
Anyway, Robyn has a pun-filled blog post about the F13 - code named “Goddard” – release slogan “Rock it!“.
…
Yeah, I think that’s brilliant – so what! I like puns! I like Spider Robinson! STOP LOOKING AT ME!
So, in honor of the upcoming F13 release let me share with you one of my favorites:
As I’m sure you know, Mahatma Gandi was a very spiritual man with strong beliefs. And those beliefs lent themselves More >
GNOME Foundation Drama III: Part One: Moonlight
Mar 8th
I don’t know about “free software”. Even after more than a decade it’s still an alien term for me. I know it is “opensource” for as far as I’m concerned. And that’s all I care about. - Philip Van Hoof, GNOME Foundation Member
Usually I turn to HBO or Showtime to provide me with my drama fix, but the GNOME Foundation Mailing List is doing a pretty durn good job of spicing it up these last few weeks. It’s so good I might have to break it up over a few entries.
New Thing: Same as the Old Thing
This latest kerfluffle (not More >
When Nerd Lawyers Clash: WordPress and the GPL
Mar 2nd
If WordPress were a country, our Bill of Rights would be the GPL because it protects our core freedoms. - WordPress Blog
I’m a fan of WordPress: not only is it the best blogging platform I have ever used, but it is also a big proponent of the GPL.
WordPress is a great example of high-quality, useful FLOSS software – one that has a successful business build around it, in fact.
The Problem
WordPress has always taken the position that themes should be released under the GPL, and even consulted the SFLC. The end result? “PHP in WordPress themes must be GPL, artwork and CSS may More >
Get the Facts II: Electric Boogaloo
Mar 1st
The Past
Back in the dark ages of the early 2000s, Microsoft ran a misleading FUD campaign against Linux under the “Get the Facts” banner.
It looks like “Why Microsoft” is the not-much-anticipated sequel, where – in concert with a blog running cutting edge 3.5-year old software – Microsoft will again FUD, mislead and distort as it attacks alternatives to its proprietary lock-in-rich offerings – including some Open Source contenders like Open Office.org.
The Present
As the Gentle and Return Reader knows, one of my favorite past times is pointing out fallicies, distortions or downright lies. The entire “Why Microsoft” site is chock-full, but let’s just look More >
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