I'd seriously consider the WorldForge Project for Most Improved OpenSource Project.
The goal is to creat an open framework for Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games, ala Utlima Online.
As anyone knows, game development under Linux is an area that needs some help. Our project is all about being Open, Linux loving but not Linux specific. We have several other *nix and Win9x developers on the team.
We've been around for about 13-14 months now, and have a demo out, a protocol nearing completion, a huge archive of OpenContent (like the GPL, but for content) media, and several associated client and server projects.
Bull. Nothing in the interview says anything remotely to the effect that nobody can understand the source but them.
Uh, I specifically said "That's what I see when I read:..". Thus, this is my interpretation of what I'm being told. Nobody has asked Malda to do tech support on his code. Nobdoy has asked him to be a "benevolent dictator". All they've asked is for him to do what he's said he was going to do from the get-go and be a true OpenSource developer.
As for the "hard to read Perl bit", anyone else's code is hard to read, period. However, people can do it, otherwise this whole OpenSource/Free Software movement would have died long before this.
They've got people flaming them now for not releasing, they'll get people flaming them for releasing lousy code if they do release, so where's the advantage for them in releasing now?
I think I can sum it up by saying "they'd be sticking to the ideals of the OpenSource community". The very community that makes the website so popular, and the very community that will eventually leave if they aren't catered to.
Sorry, but no matter how you look at it, running a website that trumpets OpenSource Software and people like ESR then childishly refusing to release your own code to the community is hypocritical.
I say childish because typing "I'll delay it another 24 hours for every person that asks me about it" instead of typing "tar -czf..." is childish. All that's missing is the foot stamping and breath holding.
You forget the fact that Malda and crew are the only people smart enough to understand the code. That's what I see when I read:
We're just too busy to play tech support helping dozens of people compile mod_perl and tune Apache. We've decided to squash the bugs and make a clean release rather than rush it.
This is the attitude that makes people write you flames about not turning your code loose. You aren't the only people who can compile mod_perl and support Apache. And, believe it or not, there are people out here who are intelligent enough to understand your code without you having to explain it.
Release the code as extreme alpha, refuse to support Apache and mod_perl, and put your money where your mouth is about being a member of the OpenSource community.
Calling people who question you an ass really illustrates that you have no logical leg to stand on in your arguments.
That announcement of the project was made prematurely and without the consent of the rest of the project members (not that I fault Joe Jenkis at all! He was just a bit too enthusiastic!), and we were lambasted by people saying "They don't even have any code!" and "They'll be gone in a few months!". This backlash was warranted by the lack of information on our fledgling website, but look at us now.
Further, we have created a large amount of OpenContent media that is freely modifiable and distributable. I personally think that if our project were to fail tomorrow, that in itself has been enough to justify my 13 months of involvement in the project. I simply cannot praise the artists of WorldForge enough.
If we are talking about Most Improved, I think WorldForge deserves a mention at least.
While the Netrek solution may work, I still think the only way you can guarantee that an OpenSource network game doesn't have cheating is to use a thin client approach.
On the WorldForge Project, we've adopted that stance. If the server holds all the cards, hacking the client doesn't do any good.
The reason this could work for us is that the amount of information we'll be sending between the client and server isn't near that of Quake. It doesn't stop someone from taking our server source and modifying it to allow them to cheat, but not everyone will have the resources to run thier own servers.
What about a reputation system? A master server that holds Account information for online gaming. That way players could run games that only include people that have earned a reputation for being an honest player?
Crystal Space - Ok, not a game, but a LGPLed 3d game engine.
And that's just off the top of my head. I'm sure there are several Free (as in GPL) projects out there that are just waiting for you to come running.:)
This seems like a good idea, but how many people really watch movies on their PC? Or have their PC close enough to their TV to be able to play the movies out to the TV? It seems more of a novelty to me for anyone but space-constrained college students with expensive new computers.
The DVD decoder doesn't have to be one your main computer.
I for one would love to build a Linux box to BE my entertainment system. Store all my CDs on there as MP3s, add a DVD player, set it up beside the entertainment center in the living room and have it pipe all output into my TV/stereo system. Be the best party jukebox around.
And I'd pay good money to have a DVD decoder on that computer.
I'm working with the Worldforge Project, and I believe that you might be interested in the GMUSH project, for which I don't have a URL.
*end shameless plug*
Seriously, a free alternative where anyone can set up their own "virtual world" essentially removes the value of virtual property. Why pay $2K for a plot of land for a house when you can just find another server?
I had excellent teachers in high school, with a few notable exceptions.
I didn't always agree with them or they way they ran their class, but you are right: they are not incompetent, uncaring prison guards.
What some of us 'best and brightest' sometimes have to get over is that most teachers are struggling trying to do the best they can with the minimum amount of equipment and resources. I applaud teachers, for they are underpaid and underthanked for what they do.
Slashdot Mirror
Disclaimer: I'm a biased developer.
I'd seriously consider the WorldForge Project for Most Improved OpenSource Project.
The goal is to creat an open framework for Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games, ala Utlima Online.
As anyone knows, game development under Linux is an area that needs some help. Our project is all about being Open, Linux loving but not Linux specific. We have several other *nix and Win9x developers on the team.
We've been around for about 13-14 months now, and have a demo out, a protocol nearing completion, a huge archive of OpenContent (like the GPL, but for content) media, and several associated client and server projects.
For more info, check out the Most Improved OpenSource Project discussion, as well as the WorldForge website.
Bull. Nothing in the interview says anything remotely to the effect that nobody can understand the source but them.
..." is childish. All that's missing is the foot stamping and breath holding.
Uh, I specifically said "That's what I see when I read:..". Thus, this is my interpretation of what I'm being told. Nobody has asked Malda to do tech support on his code. Nobdoy has asked him to be a "benevolent dictator". All they've asked is for him to do what he's said he was going to do from the get-go and be a true OpenSource developer.
As for the "hard to read Perl bit", anyone else's code is hard to read, period. However, people can do it, otherwise this whole OpenSource/Free Software movement would have died long before this.
They've got people flaming them now for not releasing, they'll get people flaming them for releasing lousy code if they do release, so where's the advantage for them in releasing now?
I think I can sum it up by saying "they'd be sticking to the ideals of the OpenSource community". The very community that makes the website so popular, and the very community that will eventually leave if they aren't catered to.
Sorry, but no matter how you look at it, running a website that trumpets OpenSource Software and people like ESR then childishly refusing to release your own code to the community is hypocritical.
I say childish because typing "I'll delay it another 24 hours for every person that asks me about it" instead of typing "tar -czf
You forget the fact that Malda and crew are the only people smart enough to understand the code. That's what I see when I read:
We're just too busy to play tech support helping dozens of people compile mod_perl and tune Apache. We've decided to squash the bugs and make a clean release rather than rush it.
This is the attitude that makes people write you flames about not turning your code loose. You aren't the only people who can compile mod_perl and support Apache. And, believe it or not, there are people out here who are intelligent enough to understand your code without you having to explain it.
Release the code as extreme alpha, refuse to support Apache and mod_perl, and put your money where your mouth is about being a member of the OpenSource community.
Calling people who question you an ass really illustrates that you have no logical leg to stand on in your arguments.
First off, I'm biased too, since I'm also a developer for the project.
I just wanted to add that if you look out our initial Slashdot announcement, you will note our progress.
That announcement of the project was made prematurely and without the consent of the rest of the project members (not that I fault Joe Jenkis at all! He was just a bit too enthusiastic!), and we were lambasted by people saying "They don't even have any code!" and "They'll be gone in a few months!". This backlash was warranted by the lack of information on our fledgling website, but look at us now.
Further, we have created a large amount of OpenContent media that is freely modifiable and distributable. I personally think that if our project were to fail tomorrow, that in itself has been enough to justify my 13 months of involvement in the project. I simply cannot praise the artists of WorldForge enough.
If we are talking about Most Improved, I think WorldForge deserves a mention at least.
While the Netrek solution may work, I still think the only way you can guarantee that an OpenSource network game doesn't have cheating is to use a thin client approach.
On the WorldForge Project, we've adopted that stance. If the server holds all the cards, hacking the client doesn't do any good.
The reason this could work for us is that the amount of information we'll be sending between the client and server isn't near that of Quake. It doesn't stop someone from taking our server source and modifying it to allow them to cheat, but not everyone will have the resources to run thier own servers.
What about a reputation system? A master server that holds Account information for online gaming. That way players could run games that only include people that have earned a reputation for being an honest player?
Uh, there are several Free (as in GPLed) game projects going on right now.
:)
WorldForge - Massively Multiplayer RPGs ala Ultima Online. They've published a proof of concept demo and are working towards a playable Game.
TimeCity - not one of my personal favorites of an idea, but they seem to have something going. Just recently published some network code.
Tux: A Quest for Herring - 3D game ala Mario 64 or Gex. Has a couple of playable levels.
Crystal Space - Ok, not a game, but a LGPLed 3d game engine.
And that's just off the top of my head. I'm sure there are several Free (as in GPL) projects out there that are just waiting for you to come running.
when I see it.
It won't ship on time, we know that much for sure.
Any guesses on how much of this is just vaporware in an attempt to keep people from switching to Linux?
This seems like a good idea, but how many people really watch movies on their PC? Or have their PC close enough to their TV to be able to play the movies out to the TV? It seems more of a novelty to me for anyone but space-constrained college students with expensive new computers.
The DVD decoder doesn't have to be one your main computer.
I for one would love to build a Linux box to BE my entertainment system. Store all my CDs on there as MP3s, add a DVD player, set it up beside the entertainment center in the living room and have it pipe all output into my TV/stereo system. Be the best party jukebox around.
And I'd pay good money to have a DVD decoder on that computer.
I'm working with the Worldforge Project, and I believe that you might be interested in the GMUSH project, for which I don't have a URL.
*end shameless plug*
Seriously, a free alternative where anyone can set up their own "virtual world" essentially removes the value of virtual property. Why pay $2K for a plot of land for a house when you can just find another server?
Right on.
I had excellent teachers in high school, with a few notable exceptions.
I didn't always agree with them or they way they ran their class, but you are right: they are not incompetent, uncaring prison guards.
What some of us 'best and brightest' sometimes have to get over is that most teachers are struggling trying to do the best they can with the minimum amount of equipment and resources. I applaud teachers, for they are underpaid and underthanked for what they do.
This deserves a triple-attaboy and a pat on the back.
Next time you are in DFW, I'll buy you a beer to celebrate.