Slashback: Picnic, Neonapster, Microsoft

Slashback tonight with some good news about Linux Weekly News, an annual update for interested picnic-goers, a followup on Neonapster, and a few words of caution on Microsoft's approach to code disclosure. Read on below for the details.

Look at the nice horse they left. babbage writes "As part of ongoing antitrust settlement arrangements, Microsoft has 'opened' the source code to some of their protocol implementation source code. Go ahead and read the license -- but do keep an eye on the NDA you have to agree to first. If you find an NDA to be an objectionable first step -- and I'll admit, I haven't read the license because I don't agree to the NDA terms -- then speak up about it. The Department of Justice is accepting public comments from industry professionals about the new licensing terms. There is a real concern that such pseudo-open licensing could effectively scuttle development efforts on projects like Samba & Mono, but we need to get open access to the license in order to figure out what the risks are. If you have anything to contribute, now is the time to speak up to the DOJ."

Bring your own herring. Bill Kendrick writes: "From the folks who brought you the immensely popular "Linux10" event, comes Picn*x11, a picnic/barbecue celebrating 11 years of the Linux operating system. It's going to be held in Sunnyvale again, the Saturday after LinuxWorld Expo. So go RSVP now, and get your Picn*x11 t-shirt! (Proceeds go to EFF)"

With enough eyeballs many programs seem shallow, too. TheMMaster writes "Neonapster seems to have GPL'd their software, you can download the source here, not that I am terribly happy with what happened, but at least this seems to have been settled out of court ;) of course... it is still a cheap cdex rip off ;)"

LWN is good reading. Keck writes "We all shed a tear for Linux Weekly News a little too soon maybe?

Yes, we know we said there would be no LWN.net Weekly Edition this time around, but, in the end, it was worth the trouble to put together a mini version. So here it is; with luck, the full Weekly will be back on August 15. "

Comments

Re:Problem number one...

[IIRCAFAIKIANAL]

Well, it doesn't say you have to use your own. Let's all create passports and share them - whee :)

Dear god its the sign of the borg--run

[TrollsamaBinLaden]

The article mentioned microsoft and I saw 7 of 9 comments. Coincidence?

Knowing MS I think not.

Re:Comments at download.com

[Anonymous Coward]

Maybe you should read some of the positive comments:

"So good it stops jesus crying"
Well, I go out and buy this shiny new 160 GB hard drive for my computer. I ask myself, what should I do with it? Before I even get a chance to rip one song with it, Jesus says to me "Ripped music is wrong" and so instead I download this software. Instead of filling my hard drive with excellent music I now have enough spam, spyware, and adware to fill 100 hard drives. Thanks for making sure Jesus doesn't cry by putting that your software is GPLed and ripped off from CDex in _small_ print! You guys are the best!

"WOnderfuL"
Includes spyware for your computer! And its FREE FREE FREE. No longer do you have to pay for your spyware you can just install this. Enjoy

And my favorite from the old comments:

"Awesome! Great advertisement emails!"
Ever since I downloaded this, my e-mail box has been full of great, insightful advertisements! Also, all of my pop-ups are custom-tailored to my browsing preferences!