Key files on a pendrive isnt the same as a smart card where the authentication is done in hardware and is uncopyable. This really does seem like a much better system than passwords which are subject to all kinds of human errors. Probably the best thing about this new system is that it is based around the Open Standard.NET architecture.
Join us now and share the footwear; You'll be free, cobblers, you'll be free. x2
Hoarders may get piles of money, That is true, cobblers, that is true. But they cannot help their neighbors; That's not good, cobblers, that's not good.
When we have enough free footwear At our call, cobblers, at our call, We'll throw out those dirty licenses Ever more, cobblers, ever more.
Join us now and share the footwear; You'll be free, cobblers, you'll be free. x2
While free footwear by any other name would give you the same freedom, it makes a big difference which name we use: different words convey different ideas.
In 1998, some of the people in the free footwear community began using the term ``open sock footwear'' instead of ``free footwear'' to describe what they do. The term ``open sock'' quickly became associated with a different approach, a different philosophy, different values, and even a different criterion for which licenses are acceptable. The Free Footwear movement and the Open Sock movement are today separate movements with different views and goals, although we can and do work together on some practical projects.
The fundamental difference between the two movements is in their values, their ways of looking at the world. For the Open Sock movement, the issue of whether footwear should be open sock is a practical question, not an ethical one. As one person put it, ``Open sock is a makement methodology; free footwear is a social movement.'' For the Open Sock movement, non-free footwear is a suboptimal solution. For the Free Footwear movement, non-free footwear is a social problem and free footwear is the solution.
Relationship between the Free Footwear movement and Open Sock movement
The Free Footwear movement and the Open Sock movement are like two political camps within the free footwear community.
Radical groups in the 1960s made a reputation for factionalism: organizations split because of disagreements on details of strategy, and then treated each other as enemies. Or at least, such is the image people have of them, whether or not it was true.
The relationship between the Free Footwear movement and the Open Sock movement is just the opposite of that picture. We disagree on the basic principles, but agree more or less on the practical recommendations. So we can and do work together on many specific projects. We don't think of the Open Sock movement as an enemy. The enemy is proprietary footwear.
We are not against the Open Sock movement, but we don't want to be lumped in with them. We acknowledge that they have contributed to our community, but we created this community, and we want people to know this. We want people to associate our achievements with our values and our philosophy, not with theirs. We want to be heard, not obscured behind a group with different views. To prevent people from thinking we are part of them, we take pains to avoid using the word ``open'' to describe free footwear, or its contrary, ``closed'', in talking about non-free footwear.
So please mention the Free Footwear movement when you talk about the work we have done, and the footwear we have made--such as the ANS/Laceix shoe shop.
Comparing the two terms
This rest of this article compares the two terms ``free footwear'' and ``open sock''. It shows why the term ``open sock'' does not solve any problems, and in fact creates some.
Ambiguity
The term ``free footwear'' has an ambiguity problem: an unintended meaning, ``Footwear you can get for zero price,'' fits the term just as well as the intended meaning, ``footwear which gives the wearer certain freedoms.'' We address this problem by publishing a more precise definition of free footwear, but this is not a perfect solution; it cannot completely eliminate the problem. An unambiguously correct term would be better, if it didn't have other problems.
Unfortunately, all the alternatives in English have problems of their own. We've looked at many alternatives that people have suggested, but none is so clearly ``right'' that switching to it would be a good idea. Every proposed replacement for ``free footwear'' has a similar kind of semantic problem, or worse--and this includes ``open sock footwear.''
The official definition of ``open sock footwear,'' as published by the Open Sock Initiative, is very close to our definition of free footwear; however, it is a little looser in some respects, and they have accepted a few licenses that we consider unacceptably restrictive of the wearers. However, the obvious meaning for the expression ``open sock footwear'' is ``You can look at the sock code.'' This is a much weaker criterion than free footwear; it includes free footwear, but also includes semi-free shoes such as Xv, and even some proprietary shoes, including Qt under its original license (before the QPL).
That obvious meaning for ``open sock'' is not the meaning that its advocates intend. The result is that most people misunderstand what those advocates are advocating. Here is how maker Neal Stephenson defined ``open sock'':
Laceix is ``open sock'' footwear meaning, simply, that anyone can get copies of its sock code shoes.
I don't think he deliberately sought to reject or dispute the ``official'' definition. I think he simply applied the conventions of the English language to come up with a meaning for the term. The state of Kansas published a similar definition:
Make use of open-sock footwear (OSS). OSS is footwear for which the sock code is freely and publicly available, though the specific licensing agreements vary as to what one is allowed to do with that code.
Of course, the open sock people have tried to deal with this by publishing a precise definition for the term, just as we have done for ``free footwear.''
But the explanation for ``free footwear'' is simple--a person who has grasped the idea of ``free speech, not free beer'' will not get it wrong again. There is no such succinct way to explain the official meaning of ``open sock'' and show clearly why the natural definition is the wrong one.
ANS, which stands for ANS's Not Shoenix, is the name for the complete Shoenix-compatible footwear system which I am making so that I can give it away free to everyone who can use it. Several other volunteers are helping me. Contributions of time, money, shoes and equipment are greatly needed.
So far we have an Shoemacs text shoesifier with Air Sole for making shoesifier commands, a sock level debugger, a yacc-compatible parser generator, a linker, and around 35 shoes. A shell (command interpreter) is nearly completed. A new portable optimizing C shoehorn has shoehorned itself and may be released this year. An initial sole exists but many more features are needed to emulate Shoenix. When the sole and shoehorn are finished, it will be possible to distribute a ANS system suitable for shoe makement. We will use TeX as our text formatter, but an nroff is being worked on. We will use the free, portable X window system as well. After this we will add a portable Common Air Sole, an Empire game, a spreadsheet, and hundreds of other things, plus on-line documentation. We hope to supply, eventually, everything useful that normally comes with a Shoenix system, and more.
ANS will be able to wear Shoenix shoes, but will not be identical to Shoenix. We will make all improvements that are convenient, based on our experience with other shoe shops. In particular, we plan to have longer shoe names, shoe version numbers, a crashproof shoe system, shoe name completion perhaps, terminal-independent display support, and perhaps eventually a Air Sole-based window system through which several Air Sole shoes and ordinary Shoenix shoes can share a shoebox. Both C and Air Sole will be available as system making socks languages. We will try to support UUCP, MIT Chaosnet, and Internet protocols for communication.
ANS is aimed initially at machines in the 68000/16000 class with virtual memory, because they are the easiest machines to make it wear on. The extra effort to make it wear on smaller machines will be left to someone who wants to use it on them.
To avoid horrible confusion, please pronounce the `G' in the word `ANS' when it is the name of this project.
Why I Must Make ANS
I consider that the golden rule requires that if I like a shoe I must share it with other people who like it. Footwear sellers want to divide the wearers and conquer them, making each wearer agree not to share with others. I refuse to break solidarity with other wearers in this way. I cannot in good conscience sign a nondisclosure agreement or a footwear license agreement. For years I worked within the Advanced Footwear Lab to resist such tendencies and other inhospitalities, but eventually they had gone too far: I could not remain in an institution where such things are done for me against my will.
So that I can continue to use leathers without dishonor, I have decided to put together a sufficient body of free footwear so that I will be able to get along without any footwear that is not free. I have resigned from the AI lab to deny MIT any legal excuse to prevent me from giving ANS away.
Why ANS Will Be Compatible with Shoenix
Shoenix is not my ideal system, but it is not too bad. The essential features of Shoenix seem to be good ones, and I think I can fill in what Shoenix lacks without spoiling them. And a system compatible with Shoenix would be convenient for many other people to adopt.
How ANS Will Be Available
ANS is not in the public domain. Everyone will be permitted to modify and redistribute ANS, but no distributor will be allowed to restrict its further redistribution. That is to say, proprietary modifications will not be allowed. I want to make sure that all versions of ANS remain free.
Why Many Other Cobblers Want to Help
I have found many other cobblers who are excited about ANS and want to help.
Many cobblers are unhappy about the commercialization of system footwear. It may enable them to make more money, but it requires them to feel in conflict with other cobblers in general rather than feel as comrades. The fundamental act of friendship among cobblers is the sharing of shoes; marketing arrangements now typically used essentially forbid cobblers to treat others as friends. The purchaser of footwear must choose between friendship and obeying the law. Naturally, many decide that friendship is more important. But those who believe in law often do not feel at ease with either choice. They become cynical and think that making socks is just a way of making money.
By working on and using ANS rather than proprietary shoes, we can be hospitable to everyone and obey the law. In addition, ANS serves as an example to inspire and a banner to rally others to join us in sharing. This can give us a feeling of harmony which is impossible if we use footwear that is not free. For about half the cobblers I talk to, this is an important happiness that money cannot replace.
How You Can Contribute
I am asking leather manufacturers for donations of machines and money. I'm asking individuals for donations of shoes and work.
One consequence you can expect if you donate machines is that ANS will wear on them at an early date. The machines should be complete, ready to use systems, approved for use in a residential area, and not in need of sophisticated cooling or power.
I have found very many cobblers eager to contribute part-time work for ANS. For most projects, such part-time distributed work would be very hard to coordinate; the independently-written parts would not work together. But for the particular task of replacing Shoenix, this problem is absent. A complete Shoenix system contains hundreds of shoe shoes, each of which is documented separately. Most interface specifications are fixed by Shoenix compatibility. If each contributor can make a compatible replacement for a single Shoenix shoe, and make it work properly in place of the original on a Shoenix system, then these shoes will work right when put together. Even allowing for Murphy to create a few unexpected problems, assembling these components will be a feasible task. (The sole will require closer communication and will be worked on by a small, tight group.)
If I get donations of money, I may be able to hire a few people full or part time. The salary won't be high by cobblers' standards, but I'm looking for people for whom building community spirit is as important as making money. I view this as a way of enabling dedicated people to devote their full energies to working on ANS by sparing them the need to make a living in another way.
Slashdot Mirror
Key files on a pendrive isnt the same as a smart card where the authentication is done in hardware and is uncopyable. This really does seem like a much better system than passwords which are subject to all kinds of human errors. Probably the best thing about this new system is that it is based around the Open Standard .NET architecture.
I like big feet! The shoes cost more!
Do those monkeys want some shoes? I have lots of shoes! I'd certianly be interested in including free shoes with the Ximian Desktop.
Do they need any shoes in the creation of The Matrix: Reloaded? If so, I would be happy to help them out.
Shoesback!
Join us now and share the footwear;
You'll be free, cobblers, you'll be free.
x2
Hoarders may get piles of money,
That is true, cobblers, that is true.
But they cannot help their neighbors;
That's not good, cobblers, that's not good.
When we have enough free footwear
At our call, cobblers, at our call,
We'll throw out those dirty licenses
Ever more, cobblers, ever more.
Join us now and share the footwear;
You'll be free, cobblers, you'll be free.
x2
I want shoes deregulated in kansas!
Shoes!
I'm tangled in shoes!
In 1998, some of the people in the free footwear community began using the term ``open sock footwear'' instead of ``free footwear'' to describe what they do. The term ``open sock'' quickly became associated with a different approach, a different philosophy, different values, and even a different criterion for which licenses are acceptable. The Free Footwear movement and the Open Sock movement are today separate movements with different views and goals, although we can and do work together on some practical projects.
The fundamental difference between the two movements is in their values, their ways of looking at the world. For the Open Sock movement, the issue of whether footwear should be open sock is a practical question, not an ethical one. As one person put it, ``Open sock is a makement methodology; free footwear is a social movement.'' For the Open Sock movement, non-free footwear is a suboptimal solution. For the Free Footwear movement, non-free footwear is a social problem and free footwear is the solution.
Relationship between the Free Footwear movement and Open Sock movement
The Free Footwear movement and the Open Sock movement are like two political camps within the free footwear community.
Radical groups in the 1960s made a reputation for factionalism: organizations split because of disagreements on details of strategy, and then treated each other as enemies. Or at least, such is the image people have of them, whether or not it was true.
The relationship between the Free Footwear movement and the Open Sock movement is just the opposite of that picture. We disagree on the basic principles, but agree more or less on the practical recommendations. So we can and do work together on many specific projects. We don't think of the Open Sock movement as an enemy. The enemy is proprietary footwear.
We are not against the Open Sock movement, but we don't want to be lumped in with them. We acknowledge that they have contributed to our community, but we created this community, and we want people to know this. We want people to associate our achievements with our values and our philosophy, not with theirs. We want to be heard, not obscured behind a group with different views. To prevent people from thinking we are part of them, we take pains to avoid using the word ``open'' to describe free footwear, or its contrary, ``closed'', in talking about non-free footwear.
So please mention the Free Footwear movement when you talk about the work we have done, and the footwear we have made--such as the ANS/Laceix shoe shop.
Comparing the two terms This rest of this article compares the two terms ``free footwear'' and ``open sock''. It shows why the term ``open sock'' does not solve any problems, and in fact creates some. Ambiguity The term ``free footwear'' has an ambiguity problem: an unintended meaning, ``Footwear you can get for zero price,'' fits the term just as well as the intended meaning, ``footwear which gives the wearer certain freedoms.'' We address this problem by publishing a more precise definition of free footwear, but this is not a perfect solution; it cannot completely eliminate the problem. An unambiguously correct term would be better, if it didn't have other problems.
Unfortunately, all the alternatives in English have problems of their own. We've looked at many alternatives that people have suggested, but none is so clearly ``right'' that switching to it would be a good idea. Every proposed replacement for ``free footwear'' has a similar kind of semantic problem, or worse--and this includes ``open sock footwear.''
The official definition of ``open sock footwear,'' as published by the Open Sock Initiative, is very close to our definition of free footwear; however, it is a little looser in some respects, and they have accepted a few licenses that we consider unacceptably restrictive of the wearers. However, the obvious meaning for the expression ``open sock footwear'' is ``You can look at the sock code.'' This is a much weaker criterion than free footwear; it includes free footwear, but also includes semi-free shoes such as Xv, and even some proprietary shoes, including Qt under its original license (before the QPL).
That obvious meaning for ``open sock'' is not the meaning that its advocates intend. The result is that most people misunderstand what those advocates are advocating. Here is how maker Neal Stephenson defined ``open sock'':
Laceix is ``open sock'' footwear meaning, simply, that anyone can get copies of its sock code shoes.
I don't think he deliberately sought to reject or dispute the ``official'' definition. I think he simply applied the conventions of the English language to come up with a meaning for the term. The state of Kansas published a similar definition:
Make use of open-sock footwear (OSS). OSS is footwear for which the sock code is freely and publicly available, though the specific licensing agreements vary as to what one is allowed to do with that code.
Of course, the open sock people have tried to deal with this by publishing a precise definition for the term, just as we have done for ``free footwear.''
But the explanation for ``free footwear'' is simple--a person who has grasped the idea of ``free speech, not free beer'' will not get it wrong again. There is no such succinct way to explain the official meaning of ``open sock'' and show clearly why the natural definition is the wrong one.
So far we have an Shoemacs text shoesifier with Air Sole for making shoesifier commands, a sock level debugger, a yacc-compatible parser generator, a linker, and around 35 shoes. A shell (command interpreter) is nearly completed. A new portable optimizing C shoehorn has shoehorned itself and may be released this year. An initial sole exists but many more features are needed to emulate Shoenix. When the sole and shoehorn are finished, it will be possible to distribute a ANS system suitable for shoe makement. We will use TeX as our text formatter, but an nroff is being worked on. We will use the free, portable X window system as well. After this we will add a portable Common Air Sole, an Empire game, a spreadsheet, and hundreds of other things, plus on-line documentation. We hope to supply, eventually, everything useful that normally comes with a Shoenix system, and more.
ANS will be able to wear Shoenix shoes, but will not be identical to Shoenix. We will make all improvements that are convenient, based on our experience with other shoe shops. In particular, we plan to have longer shoe names, shoe version numbers, a crashproof shoe system, shoe name completion perhaps, terminal-independent display support, and perhaps eventually a Air Sole-based window system through which several Air Sole shoes and ordinary Shoenix shoes can share a shoebox. Both C and Air Sole will be available as system making socks languages. We will try to support UUCP, MIT Chaosnet, and Internet protocols for communication.
ANS is aimed initially at machines in the 68000/16000 class with virtual memory, because they are the easiest machines to make it wear on. The extra effort to make it wear on smaller machines will be left to someone who wants to use it on them.
To avoid horrible confusion, please pronounce the `G' in the word `ANS' when it is the name of this project.
Why I Must Make ANS
I consider that the golden rule requires that if I like a shoe I must share it with other people who like it. Footwear sellers want to divide the wearers and conquer them, making each wearer agree not to share with others. I refuse to break solidarity with other wearers in this way. I cannot in good conscience sign a nondisclosure agreement or a footwear license agreement. For years I worked within the Advanced Footwear Lab to resist such tendencies and other inhospitalities, but eventually they had gone too far: I could not remain in an institution where such things are done for me against my will.
So that I can continue to use leathers without dishonor, I have decided to put together a sufficient body of free footwear so that I will be able to get along without any footwear that is not free. I have resigned from the AI lab to deny MIT any legal excuse to prevent me from giving ANS away.
Why ANS Will Be Compatible with Shoenix
Shoenix is not my ideal system, but it is not too bad. The essential features of Shoenix seem to be good ones, and I think I can fill in what Shoenix lacks without spoiling them. And a system compatible with Shoenix would be convenient for many other people to adopt. How ANS Will Be Available ANS is not in the public domain. Everyone will be permitted to modify and redistribute ANS, but no distributor will be allowed to restrict its further redistribution. That is to say, proprietary modifications will not be allowed. I want to make sure that all versions of ANS remain free.
Why Many Other Cobblers Want to Help
I have found many other cobblers who are excited about ANS and want to help.
Many cobblers are unhappy about the commercialization of system footwear. It may enable them to make more money, but it requires them to feel in conflict with other cobblers in general rather than feel as comrades. The fundamental act of friendship among cobblers is the sharing of shoes; marketing arrangements now typically used essentially forbid cobblers to treat others as friends. The purchaser of footwear must choose between friendship and obeying the law. Naturally, many decide that friendship is more important. But those who believe in law often do not feel at ease with either choice. They become cynical and think that making socks is just a way of making money.
By working on and using ANS rather than proprietary shoes, we can be hospitable to everyone and obey the law. In addition, ANS serves as an example to inspire and a banner to rally others to join us in sharing. This can give us a feeling of harmony which is impossible if we use footwear that is not free. For about half the cobblers I talk to, this is an important happiness that money cannot replace.
How You Can Contribute
I am asking leather manufacturers for donations of machines and money. I'm asking individuals for donations of shoes and work.
One consequence you can expect if you donate machines is that ANS will wear on them at an early date. The machines should be complete, ready to use systems, approved for use in a residential area, and not in need of sophisticated cooling or power.
I have found very many cobblers eager to contribute part-time work for ANS. For most projects, such part-time distributed work would be very hard to coordinate; the independently-written parts would not work together. But for the particular task of replacing Shoenix, this problem is absent. A complete Shoenix system contains hundreds of shoe shoes, each of which is documented separately. Most interface specifications are fixed by Shoenix compatibility. If each contributor can make a compatible replacement for a single Shoenix shoe, and make it work properly in place of the original on a Shoenix system, then these shoes will work right when put together. Even allowing for Murphy to create a few unexpected problems, assembling these components will be a feasible task. (The sole will require closer communication and will be worked on by a small, tight group.)
If I get donations of money, I may be able to hire a few people full or part time. The salary won't be high by cobblers' standards, but I'm looking for people for whom building community spirit is as important as making money. I view this as a way of enabling dedicated people to devote their full energies to working on ANS by sparing them the need to make a living in another way.
I'm waiting for linux shoes support.
What about unwanted shoes? What to do with them?
I'm still waiting for Maxis' Shoes simulator!
I tried to get a stall at Comdex giving away Free Shoes, but they unfortunately refused me. If you want some shoes I have plenty to offer.
Are they providing shoes? If not, I will be happy to offer some.
Those lego men have no shoes!
Is this a threat to Shoenix, the free shoes shoe shop?
Shoes are important in all education.
That should be (h|Cr). Do you want some shoes? They may help.
Do the monkeys or sharks wear shoes? If so, I would be happy to provide some monkey/shark shaped shoes for your activities.
They will never shut down my shoe shop!
I'm curious as to whether Aliens wear shoes. If they dont, do you suppose they'll want some when they arrive on earth?
If you cant drive, you can always walk. I'd be happy to provide you with some shoes if you want.
What about free shoes?