Open Source at TiVo

CowboyRobot writes "ACM Queue has an article by TiVo co-founder Jim Barton, in which he explains how the company relies on open source technologies to create a closed-source product. A good lesson in how other companies can do the same. From the article: Careful management of our sources to abide by the terms of the GNU General Public License while protecting our proprietary developments is a small price to pay for this benefit."

Comments

To those who value their TiVos

[citizen6350]

Quick, someone erase this article, BEFORE SCO SEES IT! (yes, its a joke)

Cool!

[yotto]

Maybe now they'll sue the people who wrote the code they used!

If only ...

[Anonymous Coward]

the developers of the Linux SMP code were as respectful of other's IP as Tivo is of GPL code!!

you're obviously not a web designer

[SweetAndSourJesus]

You see, in web design, the goal is to make your type as small as possible.

CSS provides an EM unit, which one could use to display text in the user's font size of choice, but this is considered bad design.

For an example of extremely good design, see my website, which I will reproduce here to avoide slashdotting:


.


Just look at all that information crammed into such a small area!

Re:Readable version

[Eric Ass Raymond]

The fonts have been made small intentionally so that they'll save on bandwidth. Smaller fonts, less bits to move. It's been a common practise since the dotcom-bubble burst.

Re:Good for Open Source?

[gmby]

I myself am wedged so far into Microsoft territory...

Got Butter?

hmmm

[SomeOtherGuy]

My TivO -- One more machine I better make sure I write that $699.00 check to SCO for.

Damn there goes next weeks lunch money.

Re:Good for Open Source?

[NudeZiggy]

Groundskeeper Willie: "Lunchlady Doris, do ye have any grease?"
Lunchlady Doris: "yes, yes we do."
Groundskeeper Willie: "Then grease me up, woman!"
Lunchlady Doris: "ok."