In a world of one-sided analysis and opinions, I find Declan's two-sided coverage of this issue refreshing.
I think Declan's willingness to look at all angles of an issue is at least part of the reason why he is paid to write, unlike those of us who contribute our thoughts for free here on Slashdot. And if I am looking for analysis of the DMCA, I would look for analysis from someone like Declan, rather than anyone who professes to be either a friend or foe of the DMCA.
But I guess you'll have to take my opinion with a grain of salt, since my karma has been reduced to zero.
I agree. I've spent many days doing RT-PCR, FPLC protein purification, etc. Boring and repetitive is a good description. I often found myself wishing the lab had a robot to perform the more repetitive tasks. Later on, I went into molecular modeling - much more interesting, although your fellow scientists will cast doubts on your results because they came out of a computer rather than a pipette. Perhaps rightfully so, though I feel that biologists and biochemists are less accepting of computer models than economists, physicists, and meteorologists. In time, I moved to pure programming unrelated to biology - mostly C, Java, Perl, PHP and SQL.
The way I think of it is this: in both wet lab biology and programming you have for loops. In one field, the computer executes the for loops. In the other, you (or your lab minions) execute the for loops.
I wish someone would make a keyboard with both halves completely separable and joined only by a cable. Then I could stretch my arms out occasionally and keep typing.
Some keyboard do exist where the two halves are separated (usually with an inch or two of plastic not covered by keys in between), but not completely separable - I've never seen one where you put the left and right halves four feet apart, for example.
If Moby thinks catering to techies hurts his sales, he can try to cross-over to become a country music singer, rapper, or Christian folk singer, etc. Of course, whether he could do so successfully would remain to be seen.
By releasing source, but not binaries, UnitedLinux is not violating the GPL. I don't think UnitedLinux is going to win with this strategy, or even survive, but they're free to pursue it.
If we want to require Linux companies to release binaries, then we should modify the GPL or make a new license. Here, we can call it the LiquidMarkets Public License:
1) The GPL
2) Plus you must release binaries together with source.
But don't hold your breath waiting for people to adopt the LMPL.
"But Officer, I was going 65 mph, just as the speed limit says."
"Didn't you notice that everyone drives 75 on this here highway? I'm ticketing you for obstructing traffic."
"That's not the law!"
"It's the custom."
"Then shouldn't the sign say 75?"
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In a world of one-sided analysis and opinions, I find Declan's two-sided coverage of this issue refreshing.
I think Declan's willingness to look at all angles of an issue is at least part of the reason why he is paid to write, unlike those of us who contribute our thoughts for free here on Slashdot. And if I am looking for analysis of the DMCA, I would look for analysis from someone like Declan, rather than anyone who professes to be either a friend or foe of the DMCA.
But I guess you'll have to take my opinion with a grain of salt, since my karma has been reduced to zero.
I agree. I've spent many days doing RT-PCR, FPLC protein purification, etc. Boring and repetitive is a good description. I often found myself wishing the lab had a robot to perform the more repetitive tasks. Later on, I went into molecular modeling - much more interesting, although your fellow scientists will cast doubts on your results because they came out of a computer rather than a pipette. Perhaps rightfully so, though I feel that biologists and biochemists are less accepting of computer models than economists, physicists, and meteorologists. In time, I moved to pure programming unrelated to biology - mostly C, Java, Perl, PHP and SQL.
The way I think of it is this: in both wet lab biology and programming you have for loops. In one field, the computer executes the for loops. In the other, you (or your lab minions) execute the for loops.
Here's a dead man's switch server you're welcome to use. In case you're interested, more details are available here
I just so happen to be developing a classified ad software product. If you're interested in adding classified ads to your website, take a look at http://www.liquidmarkets.com/?name=liquidclassifie ds and http://www.liquidmarkets.com/?name=XForum&file=vie wthread&tid=55
This probably ought to be modded up.
I wish someone would make a keyboard with both halves completely separable and joined only by a cable. Then I could stretch my arms out occasionally and keep typing. Some keyboard do exist where the two halves are separated (usually with an inch or two of plastic not covered by keys in between), but not completely separable - I've never seen one where you put the left and right halves four feet apart, for example.
If Moby thinks catering to techies hurts his sales, he can try to cross-over to become a country music singer, rapper, or Christian folk singer, etc. Of course, whether he could do so successfully would remain to be seen.
I think this (the parent) should get a 5!
By releasing source, but not binaries, UnitedLinux is not violating the GPL. I don't think UnitedLinux is going to win with this strategy, or even survive, but they're free to pursue it.
If we want to require Linux companies to release binaries, then we should modify the GPL or make a new license. Here, we can call it the LiquidMarkets Public License:
1) The GPL
2) Plus you must release binaries together with source.
But don't hold your breath waiting for people to adopt the LMPL.
"But Officer, I was going 65 mph, just as the speed limit says."
"Didn't you notice that everyone drives 75 on this here highway? I'm ticketing you for obstructing traffic."
"That's not the law!"
"It's the custom."
"Then shouldn't the sign say 75?"