I am pretty sure there is _one_ Anonymous coward in this discussion making all of the trouble. Trying to undermine me, in any way. Trolling. Hotplate is being documented. My own counter tells me that I have 34822 lines of published code. Hotplate hasn't been released (I am documenting the thing right now) and has 25 stars. JsonRestStore's downloads vary, but it's about 500/month.
But... while having 25 stars boosts my ego somewhat, I don't write free software to have a number of "documented number of users". I wrote Hotplate because I thought it was a new way of doing something -- a way that could speed up development of real time SaaS dramatically.
What I find amazing, is that what is probably a single Anonymous Coward is doing _anything_ to kill this discussion, undermine my credibility, and put words into my mouth.
I am used to being abused online... when you run Free Software Magazine, it's a job hazard! Thanks for the kind words though:D Most of the abuse comes from Anonymous Coward. I wouldn't be surprised if it was the same user over and over and over again!
The fact that I am very sleep deprived, I travelled all day, and am putting my children to sleep while trying to answer these comments has possibly something to do with me being dumb. No doubts.
If you check my Github page, you will see that I program in Javascript server side -- node.js that is. Logo is just not good enough for what I am trying to do!
You are assuming that I have a problem with people using proprietary software.
What I *DO* have a problem with, is a program that mixes the free software I write with proprietary software, in the same screens, with the same "free" tag attached to it. As an _author_ who spent close to three years developing free software, I DO care. I think there are good reasons why I should care.
Of course it's their choice to do that. But I can at least point out that, as a free software author, I feel that what they are doing is not ideal.
You don't seem to understand. The fact that I write free software has the consequence that I care. I care if a company -- which is also a great company in many respects -- confuses MY software with other proprietary software.
I am not dismissive on non-free software. I am just worried because software I write is mixed with proprietary software, in the same screens, with the same "free" tag attached to it. As an _author_ who spent close to three years developing free software, I DO care. I think there are good reasons why I should care.
Canonical has its problems, but I don't think you can say that all they care about is profits. They have also released a lot of free software -- more than most of us can claim. I think they care more about user experience than free software, and yes, that can be a problem...
Sorry, cut&pasting from another comment I wrote, I cannot work out how to link to specific comments.
Dumb? Maybe. I care because I actually write free software. This is the rest of the comment...
I feel the need to introduce myself. I am Tony Mobily. I started Free Software Magazine back in 2004 (!). I wrote about 200 articles on FSM (and many others for Linux Journal and other magazines); some of my articles were published here on Slashdot a few years back
I am also a very active free software coder [github.com]. Amongst my repos, the most exiting one is Hotplate [hotplatejs.com]. I am in the process of documenting Hotplate as we speak. However, I am especially proud of JsonRestStores [github.com].
I have been promoting free software since 1994, and have installed Ubuntu _countless_ times for friends, relatives, and for people I didn't even know.
The overlay ad was there because I am rebooting Free Software Magazine, and I am considering _all_ venues in terms of financing articles -- articles which are then released under a free license. However, since I am not here for the quick buck and I anticipate a lot of hits from Slashdot, I turned the ad off.
I love Ubuntu as a distribution and I think Canonical is doing a lot of things right. However, I feel very uncomfortable with app stores confusing free, zero cost, in app purchases, etc. Seeing such a confusion un _Ubuntu_ itself is particularly painful to me.
I hope that answers the question. I happen to be travelling right now, and comments will come during my night time.
I didn't post this story. I wouldn't have worded the submission this way. You can check my past submissions to see how I do it. This is also _tragic_ timing for me, since I have just travelled all day and was in the process of getting my kids to sleep when I got the traffic alert from my server.
I feel the need to introduce myself. I am Tony Mobily. I started Free Software Magazine back in 2004 (!). I wrote about 200 articles on FSM (and many others for Linux Journal and other magazines); some of my articles were published here on Slashdot a few years back
I am also a very active free software coder. Amongst my repos, the most exiting one is Hotplate. I am in the process of documenting Hotplate as we speak. However, I am especially proud of JsonRestStores.
I have been promoting free software since 1994, and have installed Ubuntu _countless_ times for friends, relatives, and for people I didn't even know.
The overlay ad was there because I am rebooting Free Software Magazine, and I am considering _all_ venues in terms of financing articles -- articles which are then released under a free license. However, since I am not here for the quick buck and I anticipate a lot of hits from Slashdot, I turned the ad off.
I love Ubuntu as a distribution and I think Canonical is doing a lot of things right. However, I feel very uncomfortable with app stores confusing free, zero cost, in app purchases, etc. Seeing such a confusion un _Ubuntu_ itself is particularly painful to me.
I hope that answers the question. I happen to be travelling right now, and comments will come during my night time.
> Wire transfers are largely an oddity of the USA. Most of the rest of the world doesn't use wire transfers anyway
Excuse me? Wire transfer in Australia are called EFT. Basically, if you want to give money to _anybody_ in Australia, all you need is their BSB (6 digits, it's the bank's ID) and account number, and there you are, money gets there 24 hours later (48 hours later if you make the transfer after 5:00PM in Sydney, which is the cut-off time).
It's WIDELY used by businesses, and even people. I "borrowed" $50 from a friend yesterday, and simply transferred $50 via Internet Banking using my phone.
I was amazed to discover that the US was largely based on *cheques*.
I was going to write a post amazingly similar to this one. I spent many years in Italy as a kid. At 13, I got my motorbike -- something made by Piaggio which resembled a bicycle with a motor.
I often used to say that the motorbike was effectively part of my body, and that I found it weird sometimes that I didn't feel sensations when my tires touched the ground. I called the handle bar my "numbed arms". WHen something did't work properly, I was immediately aware of it.
Once, I got hit side-wise by a friend on my back tire. I didn't feel pain, obviously, but I spent a good 10 seconds _waiting_ for it, the way you wait the pain explosion after being hit violently.
Could it be that riding a motorbike from such an early age made the "tool" even more "part of my brain"?
Just an idea...
Merc.
P.S. Yes, riding a motorbike at 13 was tons of fun. In Italy you can legally hop on those small missiles at 14... legally!
I love your comments on Slashdot. I was wondering if you'd like to write for us (Free Software Magazine). If you do, please contact me: t.mobily And then AT and then freesoftwaremagazine.com
Noewun, I don't suppose you'd like to blog for Free Software Magazine? I have been reading your comments on Slashdot, and I would love to have you on board! Please contact me: merc [at] mobily1.com if you're at all interested.
Slashdot Mirror
Once again, another comment from what I feel is the _one_ anonymous coward troll here, doing anything they can to undermine what I say.
Seriously.
I am pretty sure there is _one_ Anonymous coward in this discussion making all of the trouble. Trying to undermine me, in any way. Trolling.
Hotplate is being documented. My own counter tells me that I have 34822 lines of published code. Hotplate hasn't been released (I am documenting the thing right now) and has 25 stars. JsonRestStore's downloads vary, but it's about 500/month.
But... while having 25 stars boosts my ego somewhat, I don't write free software to have a number of "documented number of users". I wrote Hotplate because I thought it was a new way of doing something -- a way that could speed up development of real time SaaS dramatically.
What I find amazing, is that what is probably a single Anonymous Coward is doing _anything_ to kill this discussion, undermine my credibility, and put words into my mouth.
"He said quite clearly and specifically what he is assuming. "
I must have missed it. What is he actually assuming?
I am used to being abused online... when you run Free Software Magazine, it's a job hazard! Thanks for the kind words though :D
Most of the abuse comes from Anonymous Coward. I wouldn't be surprised if it was the same user over and over and over again!
After a stream of negative-to-downright-abusive comments from anonymous cowards, an encouraging comment.
Thank you...
Wee, when did I _ever_ advocate removing non-free software from USC?!?
I totally agree. But... in my article I don't complain about USC having non-free software!
The fact that I am very sleep deprived, I travelled all day, and am putting my children to sleep while trying to answer these comments has possibly something to do with me being dumb. No doubts.
If you check my Github page, you will see that I program in Javascript server side -- node.js that is. Logo is just not good enough for what I am trying to do!
You are assuming that I have a problem with people using proprietary software.
What I *DO* have a problem with, is a program that mixes the free software I write with proprietary software, in the same screens, with the same "free" tag attached to it. As an _author_ who spent close to three years developing free software, I DO care. I think there are good reasons why I should care.
Of course it's their choice to do that. But I can at least point out that, as a free software author, I feel that what they are doing is not ideal.
You don't seem to understand.
The fact that I write free software has the consequence that I care. I care if a company -- which is also a great company in many respects -- confuses MY software with other proprietary software.
I am not dismissive on non-free software. I am just worried because software I write is mixed with proprietary software, in the same screens, with the same "free" tag attached to it. As an _author_ who spent close to three years developing free software, I DO care. I think there are good reasons why I should care.
Sure. You must be absolutely right.
Show me the free software you wrote, and we'll talk.
Plus, I wasn't telling them what to do. I was pointing out what I felt was a problem.
Canonical has its problems, but I don't think you can say that all they care about is profits. They have also released a lot of free software -- more than most of us can claim. I think they care more about user experience than free software, and yes, that can be a problem...
Sorry, cut&pasting from another comment I wrote, I cannot work out how to link to specific comments.
Dumb? Maybe. I care because I actually write free software. This is the rest of the comment...
I feel the need to introduce myself. I am Tony Mobily. I started Free Software Magazine back in 2004 (!). I wrote about 200 articles on FSM (and many others for Linux Journal and other magazines); some of my articles were published here on Slashdot a few years back
I am also a very active free software coder [github.com]. Amongst my repos, the most exiting one is Hotplate [hotplatejs.com]. I am in the process of documenting Hotplate as we speak. However, I am especially proud of JsonRestStores [github.com].
I have been promoting free software since 1994, and have installed Ubuntu _countless_ times for friends, relatives, and for people I didn't even know.
The overlay ad was there because I am rebooting Free Software Magazine, and I am considering _all_ venues in terms of financing articles -- articles which are then released under a free license. However, since I am not here for the quick buck and I anticipate a lot of hits from Slashdot, I turned the ad off.
I love Ubuntu as a distribution and I think Canonical is doing a lot of things right. However, I feel very uncomfortable with app stores confusing free, zero cost, in app purchases, etc. Seeing such a confusion un _Ubuntu_ itself is particularly painful to me.
I hope that answers the question. I happen to be travelling right now, and comments will come during my night time.
I didn't post this story. I wouldn't have worded the submission this way. You can check my past submissions to see how I do it. This is also _tragic_ timing for me, since I have just travelled all day and was in the process of getting my kids to sleep when I got the traffic alert from my server.
I write free software. Lots of it. That's probably why I care.
> Tony? Who the fuck is Tony?
I feel the need to introduce myself. I am Tony Mobily. I started Free Software Magazine back in 2004 (!). I wrote about 200 articles on FSM (and many others for Linux Journal and other magazines); some of my articles were published here on Slashdot a few years back
I am also a very active free software coder. Amongst my repos, the most exiting one is Hotplate. I am in the process of documenting Hotplate as we speak. However, I am especially proud of JsonRestStores.
I have been promoting free software since 1994, and have installed Ubuntu _countless_ times for friends, relatives, and for people I didn't even know.
The overlay ad was there because I am rebooting Free Software Magazine, and I am considering _all_ venues in terms of financing articles -- articles which are then released under a free license. However, since I am not here for the quick buck and I anticipate a lot of hits from Slashdot, I turned the ad off.
I love Ubuntu as a distribution and I think Canonical is doing a lot of things right. However, I feel very uncomfortable with app stores confusing free, zero cost, in app purchases, etc. Seeing such a confusion un _Ubuntu_ itself is particularly painful to me.
I hope that answers the question. I happen to be travelling right now, and comments will come during my night time.
> Wire transfers are largely an oddity of the USA. Most of the rest of the world doesn't use wire transfers anyway
Excuse me? Wire transfer in Australia are called EFT. Basically, if you want to give money to _anybody_ in Australia, all you need is their BSB (6 digits, it's the bank's ID) and account number, and there you are, money gets there 24 hours later (48 hours later if you make the transfer after 5:00PM in Sydney, which is the cut-off time).
It's WIDELY used by businesses, and even people. I "borrowed" $50 from a friend yesterday, and simply transferred $50 via Internet Banking using my phone.
I was amazed to discover that the US was largely based on *cheques*.
Vets all over the world rejoice! Your monkeys will be free of HIV anytime now!
Hi,
My mod point just expired... but this comment is just beyond spot-on. Mod up!
This is also one of the saddest comment I've read on Slashdot.
Merc.
Hi,
The actual link to the article is:
http://www.freesoftwaremagazine.com/columns/googles_real_name_policy_or_why_you_are_product
The link posted in the story was an iFrame sandwich -- the one above is the actual link!
Merc.
Hi,
We recently published an article about open hardware licenses in Free Software Magazine:
http://www.freesoftwaremagazine.com/articles/making_open_hardware_possible
As well as Terry Hancock's article about purchasing free software friendly hardware:
http://www.freesoftwaremagazine.com/articles/purchasing_hardware_for_free_software
I think it will complement the linked articles above nicely!
Merc.
Hi,
I was going to write a post amazingly similar to this one.
I spent many years in Italy as a kid. At 13, I got my motorbike -- something made by Piaggio which resembled a bicycle with a motor.
I often used to say that the motorbike was effectively part of my body, and that I found it weird sometimes that I didn't feel sensations when my tires touched the ground. I called the handle bar my "numbed arms". WHen something did't work properly, I was immediately aware of it.
Once, I got hit side-wise by a friend on my back tire. I didn't feel pain, obviously, but I spent a good 10 seconds _waiting_ for it, the way you wait the pain explosion after being hit violently.
Could it be that riding a motorbike from such an early age made the "tool" even more "part of my brain"?
Just an idea...
Merc.
P.S.
Yes, riding a motorbike at 13 was tons of fun. In Italy you can legally hop on those small missiles at 14... legally!
Hi Moraelin,
I love your comments on Slashdot.
I was wondering if you'd like to write for us (Free Software Magazine).
If you do, please contact me: t.mobily And then AT and then freesoftwaremagazine.com
Thank you!
Merc.
Hi,
Noewun, I don't suppose you'd like to blog for Free Software Magazine?
I have been reading your comments on Slashdot, and I would love to have you on board!
Please contact me: merc [at] mobily1.com if you're at all interested.
Merc.