rjstanford (69735) said:
Don't get me wrong, its not bad - just not all that newsworthy.
Agreed. It would've been nice if there was a step by step guide on how it was made. Less focus on the iPod and more on the building process. I'd like to try something similar but have no idea where to start.
If whoever put the GPL block there did not have the permission of the copyright owner to license it so, then it isn't worth the electrons it is written on.
Well stated and very correct with an exception.
I can't take a copy of the leaked Windows code, put a GPL notice at the top of every file, and claim then claim it has been GPLed.
Also correct so long as MS takes prompt legal action to protect their claim to said copywritten work(s). And we all know they would in a "New York Minute".
AOL owned the source code [...], and if they never OKed it to be released, then it is not under the GPL.
Here's the rub: AOL could be guilty of "laches" or negligent in claiming their legal rights in a "prompt" time and fashion, and not due any relief.
For example:
BigSoftCo has a product called BigSoftApp.
BigSoftApp's source code gets released with GPL copyright tags on all the source files.
Even though BigSoftApp's source code is "notoriously" and publicly available, BigSoftCo takes no legal action against those distributing said source code.
LittleSoftCo releases LittleSoftApp under the GPL using some or all of BigSoftApp's source code.
BigSoftCo complains and files suit claiming copyright infringment against LittleSoftCo.
BigSoftCo loses the suit because they didn't exercise their rights in a timely manner even though it can be proven that they knew of said code being distributed and took no action.
IFAIK nullsoft hasn't filed one legal motion to stop the distribution of the WASTE code and IMO has could've lost their rights to retract the GPL placed on said code. IMO this could be tantamount to de facto permission to use the WASTE code under the GPL. If the WASTE code contains any code previously released under the GPL it would only further weaken any claims they may make.
Again, IMO it might be too late to stop the spread of the WASTE code under a GPL license. This is in a way similar to the problem SCO will face in court. They distributed what they claim is SCO code in Caldera GNU/Linux under the GPL and now claim someone else added it. Even if they didn't add said code since they did distribute it under the GPL for years they're almost totally screwed.
Imagine building a house that partly sits on some else's property. Years go by and the property owner says nothing even though it can be proven he knew of the problem. You go to sell your house, the title search shows the problem and the owner wants to sell you the property in question. You can claim that since he didn't take prompt action when he knew of the problem that the property should belong to you. Legally you have a case.
As a supporter of the GPL I personally don't like seeing code being used in such a "muddy" way but VIA should be in the clear.
It seems that one of updates broke TS on a 2k Server (and I'm too far away to get to the console tonight). Has anyone else heard of any other services or apps that break because of these updates?
I said the media only talks about the "benefits" of MS Windows when there's a new release and then the coverage goes away. My comment was a discussion about this coverage and not usage statistics. Isn't it the media that declares "The Year of the Whatever" and not the users? Marketshare is not the key factor here.
As for comparing usage statistics between the two, GNU/Linux's growth is steady and IMO will someday overtake MS Windows.
GNU/Linux is in it for the long haul. MS Windows flashes on the media's screen with a new release and fades away. GNU/Linux is growing bigger and stronger everyday. As that happens more and more companies will port their wares, more hardware venders will supply GNU/Linux instead of MS Windows, more users will leave MS Windows (most likely because they're tired of the upgrade costs for both hard and software related to the upgrade), and someday MS Windows will be a "niche" OS.
Think about it like Apple. They make an excellent OS which includes some great apps, overall better than average desktop and small server hardware, is clearly better than MS Windows but still isn't "number one". Is this a bad thing: no. Apple will be around for a long time building their stuff reguardless of their marketshare. IMO this is the fate for MS Windows (except for the quality part of course).
Forget about this "Year of the Penguin" stuff because no one year will be it's "year". GNU/Linux is here to stay, grow and get better.
The US Govt talks about passing some dangerous law like restricting free speech.
We complain.
If the complaint is "loud enough" they wait a few months or a year and pass said bill into law.
Once again, we lose.
It's kinda like software patents in the EU. We complained, they paused for a bit and waited just to try again. IMO most people are happy being treated as cattle. I don't see anything that is happening now that will fix this broken system. Do you?
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This has been tried before but the artist's hands got very sore half way through the show.
Don't get me wrong, its not bad - just not all that newsworthy.
Agreed. It would've been nice if there was a step by step guide on how it was made. Less focus on the iPod and more on the building process. I'd like to try something similar but have no idea where to start.
Laches applies to all civil laws, not just copyright or trademark laws. It's a more common issue in real property law though.
Well stated and very correct with an exception.
I can't take a copy of the leaked Windows code, put a GPL notice at the top of every file, and claim then claim it has been GPLed.
Also correct so long as MS takes prompt legal action to protect their claim to said copywritten work(s). And we all know they would in a "New York Minute".
AOL owned the source code [...], and if they never OKed it to be released, then it is not under the GPL.
Here's the rub: AOL could be guilty of "laches" or negligent in claiming their legal rights in a "prompt" time and fashion, and not due any relief.
For example:
BigSoftCo has a product called BigSoftApp.
BigSoftApp's source code gets released with GPL copyright tags on all the source files.
Even though BigSoftApp's source code is "notoriously" and publicly available, BigSoftCo takes no legal action against those distributing said source code.
LittleSoftCo releases LittleSoftApp under the GPL using some or all of BigSoftApp's source code.
BigSoftCo complains and files suit claiming copyright infringment against LittleSoftCo.
BigSoftCo loses the suit because they didn't exercise their rights in a timely manner even though it can be proven that they knew of said code being distributed and took no action.
IFAIK nullsoft hasn't filed one legal motion to stop the distribution of the WASTE code and IMO has could've lost their rights to retract the GPL placed on said code. IMO this could be tantamount to de facto permission to use the WASTE code under the GPL. If the WASTE code contains any code previously released under the GPL it would only further weaken any claims they may make.
Again, IMO it might be too late to stop the spread of the WASTE code under a GPL license. This is in a way similar to the problem SCO will face in court. They distributed what they claim is SCO code in Caldera GNU/Linux under the GPL and now claim someone else added it. Even if they didn't add said code since they did distribute it under the GPL for years they're almost totally screwed.
Imagine building a house that partly sits on some else's property. Years go by and the property owner says nothing even though it can be proven he knew of the problem. You go to sell your house, the title search shows the problem and the owner wants to sell you the property in question. You can claim that since he didn't take prompt action when he knew of the problem that the property should belong to you. Legally you have a case.
As a supporter of the GPL I personally don't like seeing code being used in such a "muddy" way but VIA should be in the clear.
It seems that one of updates broke TS on a 2k Server (and I'm too far away to get to the console tonight). Has anyone else heard of any other services or apps that break because of these updates?
As for comparing usage statistics between the two, GNU/Linux's growth is steady and IMO will someday overtake MS Windows.
GNU/Linux is in it for the long haul. MS Windows flashes on the media's screen with a new release and fades away. GNU/Linux is growing bigger and stronger everyday. As that happens more and more companies will port their wares, more hardware venders will supply GNU/Linux instead of MS Windows, more users will leave MS Windows (most likely because they're tired of the upgrade costs for both hard and software related to the upgrade), and someday MS Windows will be a "niche" OS.
Think about it like Apple. They make an excellent OS which includes some great apps, overall better than average desktop and small server hardware, is clearly better than MS Windows but still isn't "number one". Is this a bad thing: no. Apple will be around for a long time building their stuff reguardless of their marketshare. IMO this is the fate for MS Windows (except for the quality part of course).
Forget about this "Year of the Penguin" stuff because no one year will be it's "year". GNU/Linux is here to stay, grow and get better.
The US Govt talks about passing some dangerous law like restricting free speech.
We complain.
If the complaint is "loud enough" they wait a few months or a year and pass said bill into law.
Once again, we lose.
It's kinda like software patents in the EU. We complained, they paused for a bit and waited just to try again. IMO most people are happy being treated as cattle. I don't see anything that is happening now that will fix this broken system. Do you?