Re: [GNHLUG] MerriLUG Nashua, Thur 15 Jan, Help!!! Org Meeting at MerriLUG
Jim Kuzdrall wrote: Who : The friendly, suave, intelligent, knowledgeable MerriLUG group What : New program coordinator and speaker list Where: Martha's Exchange Day : Thur 15 Jan **Tomorrow** Time : 6:00 PM for grub, 7:30 PM for discussion (usually upstairs) I expect to be arriving between 7:00 7:30 tonight. -Heather ___ gnhlug-discuss mailing list gnhlug-discuss@mail.gnhlug.org http://mail.gnhlug.org/mailman/listinfo/gnhlug-discuss/
Boston Linux Meeting Wednesday, January 21, 2009 Improving online education and documentation for developers
When: January 21, 2009 7PM (6:30PM for QA) Topic: Improving online education and documentation for developers Moderator: Andy Oram, Senior Editor, O'Reilly Media Location: MIT Building E51, Room 325 NOTE: Room Change Andy talks about Praxagora, an API for Project Educational Tools Hundreds of new software projects spring up every month. Most are free software and are run by volunteers, but big players such as Google, Yahoo!, and Microsoft are now in the same game. Not only do these projects rely on online media (forums, chat, wikis) for documentation and support, but much of it is generated by project members on a volunteer basis. Andy has spent the past several years exploring the strengths and weaknesses of user contributions to software documentation and support. In this informal presentation, he'll show the results of a survey and some research on the quality of mailing lists, followed by suggestions for systems that could make better use of free user contributions. We'll then have a free-wheeling discussion that should interest anyone who cares about free software or the success of online software projects. Background for this talk can be found at: http://www.praxagora.com/community_documentation/ For further information and directions please consult the BLU Web site http://www.blu.org Please note that there is usually plenty of parking in the E-51 Parking lot at 2 Amherst St, or on Amherst St. We will adjourn to the Cambridge Brewery for our after meeting meeting. -- Jerry Feldman g...@blu.org Boston Linux and Unix PGP key id: 537C5846 PGP Key fingerprint: 3D1B 8377 A3C0 A5F2 ECBB CA3B 4607 4319 537C 5846 signature.asc Description: OpenPGP digital signature ___ gnhlug-discuss mailing list gnhlug-discuss@mail.gnhlug.org http://mail.gnhlug.org/mailman/listinfo/gnhlug-discuss/
Re: Re: Blackduck Software and IP
Bill said: I'm reading a book about why this destroys shareholder valueWhat is the name of the Book?-pcJan 14, 2009 06:43:40 PM, b...@bfccomputing.com wrote:On 2009-01-14 3:35 PM, Jeff Macdonald wrote: This isn't strictly Linux related, but a pointy-hair boss here mentioned to a peer of mine the desire to bring these folks in. I'm at a loss why any company would actually need such a service, so I'm wondering if any of you have anyinsight.The Company probably doesn't but in many corporate cultures the job of the middle manager is to minimize risk and protect his career, not do great things for the Company. I'm reading a book about why this destroys shareholder value, but, anyway, it's endemic.Especially if the PHB doesn't understand Open Source he's likely to want a scapegoat, and these guys may sell scapegoat services. You might look on the bright side that TPHTB didn't call in a Windows consultant. The company I work for doesn't ship any code. We simply use open source in house to provide services.See SCO v. AutoZone, SCO v. Chrysler. Autozone, at least, is still spending lawyer-dollars on this case, c., what, '03? I haven't looked at the Chrysler case, but it's likely on Groklaw. This is the reason I'm a former GNOME user... I would also think that once some sort of IP infringement is found, that would make the company more liable until such infringing code is removed/recoded.Good question for the PHB to cover with the corporate attorneys. Some companies have taken this approach WRT patent searches and stuff, but I think it's a business decision for somebody with a corner office to make.-Bill-- Bill McGonigle, Owner Work: 603.448.4440BFC Computing, LLC Home: 603.448.1668b...@bfccomputing.com Cell: 603.252.2606http://www.bfccomputing.com/Page: 603.442.1833Blog: http://blog.bfccomputing.com/VCard: http://bfccomputing.com/vcard/bill.vcf___gnhlug-discuss mailing listgnhlug-discuss@mail.gnhlug.orghttp://mail.gnhlug.org/mailman/listinfo/gnhlug-discuss/ ___ gnhlug-discuss mailing list gnhlug-discuss@mail.gnhlug.org http://mail.gnhlug.org/mailman/listinfo/gnhlug-discuss/
Re: Re: Blackduck Software and IP
On Thu, Jan 15, 2009 at 8:01 AM, paul.co...@verizon.net wrote: Bill said: I'm reading a book about why this destroys shareholder value What is the name of the Book? ditto -- Jeff Macdonald Ayer, MA ___ gnhlug-discuss mailing list gnhlug-discuss@mail.gnhlug.org http://mail.gnhlug.org/mailman/listinfo/gnhlug-discuss/
Re: Blackduck Software and IP
On Wed, Jan 14, 2009 at 6:39 PM, Bill McGonigle b...@bfccomputing.com wrote: The company I work for doesn't ship any code. We simply use open source in house to provide services. See SCO v. AutoZone, SCO v. Chrysler. Autozone, at least, is still spending lawyer-dollars on this case, c., what, '03? I haven't looked at the Chrysler case, but it's likely on Groklaw. This is the reason I'm a former GNOME user... um, but that would mean that BlackDuck has copies of everyone propriety code, which it can't. The A,B,C example earlier in this thread is more like what I believe BlackDuck is trying to prevent. But, as I said before, we don't distribute any code. -- Jeff Macdonald Ayer, MA ___ gnhlug-discuss mailing list gnhlug-discuss@mail.gnhlug.org http://mail.gnhlug.org/mailman/listinfo/gnhlug-discuss/
Re: Blackduck Software and IP
On Wed, Jan 14, 2009 at 5:49 PM, Paul Moore pcmo...@umich.edu wrote: [1] https://fossbazaar.org/home Wow, very cool. Thanks very much for that link. -- Jeff Macdonald Ayer, MA ___ gnhlug-discuss mailing list gnhlug-discuss@mail.gnhlug.org http://mail.gnhlug.org/mailman/listinfo/gnhlug-discuss/
Re: Blackduck Software and IP
Jeff Macdonald writes: But, as I said before, we don't distribute any code. You've made this statement twice now, but I myself don't understand how this is relevant to the issue at hand. The common licenses that are being discussed here do not have language in them that reads if you don't distribute code, you're fine because under certain circumstances that's exactly what you have to do -- distribute your code. Regards, --kevin -- GnuPG ID: B280F24EIt's cold out there, colder than alumni.unh.edu!kdca ticket taker's smile at the http://kdc-blog.blogspot.com/ Ivar Theatre on a Saturday Night. -- Tom Waits ___ gnhlug-discuss mailing list gnhlug-discuss@mail.gnhlug.org http://mail.gnhlug.org/mailman/listinfo/gnhlug-discuss/
Fwd: [nhruby-announce] Meetup Reminder
I'll be there, and looking forward to seeing y'all :) Begin forwarded message: From: Nick Plante n...@zerosum.org Date: January 12, 2009 6:25:51 PM EST To: nhruby-announce nhruby-annou...@googlegroups.com Subject: [nhruby-announce] Meetup Reminder Reply-To: nhruby-annou...@googlegroups.com Hello again everyone, Just sending you a quick reminder that the first NH.rb of the new year is happening this Thursday January 15th at RMC Research in Portsmouth. Jon Linowes will be talking about ReviewRamp, his Rails-based service, Cucumber integration tests, and adding dynamic attributes to ActiveRecord models. For more information, including directions, visit http://nhruby.org In addition, I'm happy to announce that Engine Yard (http:// engineyard.com) will be picking up the cost of refreshments for the meetup (pizza, sodas, et al -- let me know if you have special considerations) and has also supplied us with some great giveaways. Hope to see you there! Best, ..nap --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups nhruby-announce group. To post to this group, send email to nhruby-annou...@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to nhruby-announce +unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/ group/nhruby-announce?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~--- ___ gnhlug-discuss mailing list gnhlug-discuss@mail.gnhlug.org http://mail.gnhlug.org/mailman/listinfo/gnhlug-discuss/
Re: Blackduck Software and IP
On Thu, Jan 15, 2009 at 10:24 AM, Kevin D. Clark kevin_d_cl...@comcast.net wrote: Jeff Macdonald writes: But, as I said before, we don't distribute any code. You've made this statement twice now, but I myself don't understand how this is relevant to the issue at hand. The common licenses that are being discussed here do not have language in them that reads if you don't distribute code, you're fine I guess this could be ignorance on my part, but it was my understanding that at least with the GPL, one could do whatever they want with the code. But if the code was later distributed, one had to abide by the additional terms of the GPL. because under certain circumstances that's exactly what you have to do -- distribute your code. Now you are confusing me, is it relevant or not? :) Either way I need to do some re-reading. -- Jeff Macdonald Ayer, MA ___ gnhlug-discuss mailing list gnhlug-discuss@mail.gnhlug.org http://mail.gnhlug.org/mailman/listinfo/gnhlug-discuss/
Re: Blackduck Software and IP
I guess this could be ignorance on my part, but it was my understanding that at least with the GPL, one could do whatever they want with the code. But if the code was later distributed, one had to abide by the additional terms of the GPL. Your understanding is correct, private use is not restricted by freely licensed software. The GPL and AGPL differ in the scope of private use however in that the latter the copyleft terms are applied to all users of the software, regardless of whether they receive a copy or merely use it over a computer network (ie, a webapp, chat server, etc). AGPLv3 covered works can include GPLv2+/GPLv3 code. ___ gnhlug-discuss mailing list gnhlug-discuss@mail.gnhlug.org http://mail.gnhlug.org/mailman/listinfo/gnhlug-discuss/
Re: Blackduck Software and IP
Jeff Macdonald writes: I guess this could be ignorance on my part, but it was my understanding that at least with the GPL, one could do whatever they want with the code. But if the code was later distributed, one had to abide by the additional terms of the GPL. I believe you have some fundamental misunderstandings of how the GPL works. I'm not making a pejorative statement here; I'm just making a statement of what I believe is factually true. I believe my understanding of the GPL and related licenses is correct. For example, I got a perfect score the first time I took this quiz: http://www.gnu.org/cgi-bin/license-quiz.cgi IANAL, and you should not depend on me for legal advice, but I feel pretty comfortable in this area. Regards, --kevin -- GnuPG ID: B280F24EIt's cold out there, colder than alumni.unh.edu!kdca ticket taker's smile at the http://kdc-blog.blogspot.com/ Ivar Theatre on a Saturday Night -- Tom Waits ___ gnhlug-discuss mailing list gnhlug-discuss@mail.gnhlug.org http://mail.gnhlug.org/mailman/listinfo/gnhlug-discuss/
Re: Blackduck Software and IP
On Thu, Jan 15, 2009 at 11:22:47AM -0500, Jeff Macdonald wrote: Jeff Macdonald writes: But, as I said before, we don't distribute any code. .. I guess this could be ignorance on my part, but it was my understanding that at least with the GPL, one could do whatever they want with the code. But if the code was later distributed, one had to abide by the additional terms of the GPL. Now you are confusing me, is it relevant or not? :) Either way I need to do some re-reading. The goal of the GPL is to have people share any changes they make to GPL's code. (stating the obvious in crude and simple terms) In GPL 2 - you only had to share your changes if you distributed the code (source or resulting binaries/executables). As of GPL 3 - hmm - haven't read it enough yet. It seems clear that rms wants to include web services as code distribution' as well. When that will be covered and by which version of the GPL, is something I don't know, but it seems clear that eventually anytime you sell or share a product with a user base outside your own company, by any means the GPL will require change sharing. [note the eventually] by any means would include a web application or cloud computing or anything of that nature where the user is using your code even if it is not running on their machine, but one of your servers (or even a cloud of donated cpu cycles). This is all speculation but the direction that web based apps and services are headed clearly require rms to include them as forms of distributing code to meet his goals. Whether a license can do that legally will only be decided by courts.. someday.. maybe.. :-) Jeff Kinz ___ gnhlug-discuss mailing list gnhlug-discuss@mail.gnhlug.org http://mail.gnhlug.org/mailman/listinfo/gnhlug-discuss/
Re: Blackduck Software and IP
On Thu, Jan 15, 2009 at 10:24 AM, Kevin D. Clark kevin_d_cl...@comcast.netwrote: Jeff Macdonald writes: But, as I said before, we don't distribute any code. You've made this statement twice now, but I myself don't understand how this is relevant to the issue at hand. The common licenses that are being discussed here do not have language in them that reads if you don't distribute code, you're fine because under certain circumstances that's exactly what you have to do -- distribute your code. If you distribute the compiled code (binaries) of GPL'd software, you must make the SOURCE code available at a reasonable fee and not restrict further distribution. If you don't distribute the binaries, you don't have to make the source available. I think the confusion is over what code refers to. Instead, use binaries and source so there's no ambiguity. ___ gnhlug-discuss mailing list gnhlug-discuss@mail.gnhlug.org http://mail.gnhlug.org/mailman/listinfo/gnhlug-discuss/
Re: Blackduck Software and IP
I think that calling them a scam is a thoughtless remark. They presented at Pierce Law along with Richard Stallman , Dan Ravisher ( Free Software Foundation) and others on Law and Technology. They said today you can no longer blindly ship software hoping you actually own everything in the software. There are tools to allow the software to be validated. A management policy which forbids this regrettably does not work. This can result in expensive legal costs. Don___ gnhlug-discuss mailing list gnhlug-discuss@mail.gnhlug.org http://mail.gnhlug.org/mailman/listinfo/gnhlug-discuss/
Re: Blackduck Software and IP
I think that calling them a scam is a thoughtless remark. They presented at Pierce Law along with Richard Stallman , Dan Ravisher ( Free Software Foundation) and others on Law and Technology. They said today you can no longer blindly ship software hoping you actually own everything in the software. There are tools to allow the software to be validated. A management policy which forbids this regrettably does not work. This can result in expensive legal costs. Don ___ gnhlug-discuss mailing list gnhlug-discuss@mail.gnhlug.org http://mail.gnhlug.org/mailman/listinfo/gnhlug-discuss/
Re: Blackduck Software and IP
On 2009-01-15 8:43 AM, Jeff Macdonald wrote: um, but that would mean that BlackDuck has copies of everyone propriety code, which it can't. The A,B,C example earlier in this thread is more like what I believe BlackDuck is trying to prevent. But, as I said before, we don't distribute any code. I was only responding to the statement that only using code in-house was a protection from risk. SCO and Autozone were only using the code in-house, they didn't modify it (there was a claim by SCO of a third-party stealing its IP) and they've been in court for a handful of years over it. It's baseless, but it's still a risk. -Bill -- Bill McGonigle, Owner Work: 603.448.4440 BFC Computing, LLC Home: 603.448.1668 b...@bfccomputing.com Cell: 603.252.2606 http://www.bfccomputing.com/Page: 603.442.1833 Blog: http://blog.bfccomputing.com/ VCard: http://bfccomputing.com/vcard/bill.vcf ___ gnhlug-discuss mailing list gnhlug-discuss@mail.gnhlug.org http://mail.gnhlug.org/mailman/listinfo/gnhlug-discuss/
Re: Blackduck Software and IP
On 2009-01-15 8:01 AM, paul.co...@verizon.net wrote: Bill said: I'm reading a book about why this destroys shareholder value What is the name of the Book? The Innovator's Solution. I'm only done with the first couple chapters, so I can't recommend the book as a whole yet, but the premise as I mentioned previously is illustrated with case studies in the first couple chapters and seems well-researched. Supposedly the autors offer ways around the problem. -Bill -- Bill McGonigle, Owner Work: 603.448.4440 BFC Computing, LLC Home: 603.448.1668 b...@bfccomputing.com Cell: 603.252.2606 http://www.bfccomputing.com/Page: 603.442.1833 Blog: http://blog.bfccomputing.com/ VCard: http://bfccomputing.com/vcard/bill.vcf ___ gnhlug-discuss mailing list gnhlug-discuss@mail.gnhlug.org http://mail.gnhlug.org/mailman/listinfo/gnhlug-discuss/
Re: Blackduck Software and IP
Tom Buskey writes: I think the confusion is over what code refers to. Instead, use binaries and source so there's no ambiguity. I think that this is the best observation in the entire thread. This is what I stumbled over in the original question. Now that I re-read the original question I recognize that my definition of code was different from Jeff's. Regards, --kevin -- GnuPG ID: B280F24EIt's cold out there, colder than alumni.unh.edu!kdca ticket taker's smile at the http://kdc-blog.blogspot.com/ Ivar Theatre on a Saturday Night -- Tom Waits ___ gnhlug-discuss mailing list gnhlug-discuss@mail.gnhlug.org http://mail.gnhlug.org/mailman/listinfo/gnhlug-discuss/
Re: Blackduck Software and IP
Jeff Macdonald macfisher...@gmail.com writes: Hi all, This isn't strictly Linux related, but a pointy-hair boss here mentioned to a peer of mine the desire to bring these folks in. I'm at a loss why any company would actually need such a service, so I'm wondering if any of you have anyinsight. My view is that since open source software is publicly available, an organization that would claim IP (intellectual property) rights would simply be better off sending cease and desist orders to the author of code. I do understand that wouldn't be as profitable as going after a company with deep pockets. The company I work for doesn't ship any code. We simply use open source in house to provide services. I would also think that once some sort of IP infringement is found, that would make the company more liable until such infringing code is removed/recoded. A good friend of mine worked at BlackDuck for a bit before moving to California. One of the things they do is help you audit your code so you know what licenses the software falls under if you re-distributing it. Not all of what is avaliable for Linux is GPL'ed. There are several different FOSS licenses, and several free-ware licenses, etc. For example, my last company build a product on top of a Debian base. We needed to provide a copy of each and every license for each piece of software (well, that's the lawyers told us). In order to do that, we needed to know what license each package fell under. Sadly, many, many packages don't have the License field of the .deb package manifest file filled in. BlackDuck (i.e. specifically my friend) has spent months painstakingly researching each and every package for Debian (and probably RH, others) and created a database correlating versions with packages with licenses, etc. Additionally, they've created checksums of everything such that they can scan large repositories and detect these signatures to help you determine if what your shipping falls under certain licenses. They are in fact a legit company, consisting of people who hold FOSS very near and dear. They have just found a way to monetize a service around FOSS as well. -- Seeya, Paul ___ gnhlug-discuss mailing list gnhlug-discuss@mail.gnhlug.org http://mail.gnhlug.org/mailman/listinfo/gnhlug-discuss/
Re: Blackduck Software and IP
On Thu, Jan 15, 2009 at 5:07 PM, Kevin D. Clark kevin_d_cl...@comcast.net wrote: Tom Buskey writes: I think the confusion is over what code refers to. Instead, use binaries and source so there's no ambiguity. I think that this is the best observation in the entire thread. This is what I stumbled over in the original question. Now that I re-read the original question I recognize that my definition of code was different from Jeff's. Ah, yes, sorry about that. -- Jeff Macdonald Ayer, MA ___ gnhlug-discuss mailing list gnhlug-discuss@mail.gnhlug.org http://mail.gnhlug.org/mailman/listinfo/gnhlug-discuss/
Re: Blackduck Software and IP
On 2009-01-15 5:36 PM, Paul Lussier wrote: BlackDuck (i.e. specifically my friend) has spent months painstakingly researching each and every package for Debian (and probably RH, others) and created a database correlating versions with packages with licenses, etc. Additionally, they've created checksums of everything such that they can scan large repositories and detect these signatures to help you determine if what your shipping falls under certain licenses. They are in fact a legit company, consisting of people who hold FOSS very near and dear. They have just found a way to monetize a service around FOSS as well. Sweet, and somebody posted a site here recently that did something similar, perhaps it was theirs? (you could upload a code sample and it would correlate with its repository). Are they fixing the debs too? -Bill -- Bill McGonigle, Owner Work: 603.448.4440 BFC Computing, LLC Home: 603.448.1668 b...@bfccomputing.com Cell: 603.252.2606 http://www.bfccomputing.com/Page: 603.442.1833 Blog: http://blog.bfccomputing.com/ VCard: http://bfccomputing.com/vcard/bill.vcf ___ gnhlug-discuss mailing list gnhlug-discuss@mail.gnhlug.org http://mail.gnhlug.org/mailman/listinfo/gnhlug-discuss/
Re: Blackduck Software and IP
Paul Lussier wrote: BlackDuck (i.e. specifically my friend) has spent months painstakingly researching each and every package for Debian (and probably RH, others) and created a database correlating versions with packages with licenses, etc. Additionally, they've created checksums of everything such that they can scan large repositories and detect these signatures to help you determine if what your shipping falls under certain licenses. They are in fact a legit company, consisting of people who hold FOSS very near and dear. They have just found a way to monetize a service around FOSS as well. Oh, I wish I had known about them a year ago when I had to manually do much the same at a client. (As well as trying to explain fourth hand to a lawyer what a compiler was and why we needed to use one - and, no, we couldn't write our own.) They could have saved us several man months of effort, which was critically needed on actual development then. ___ gnhlug-discuss mailing list gnhlug-discuss@mail.gnhlug.org http://mail.gnhlug.org/mailman/listinfo/gnhlug-discuss/
Ubuntu NH Remix 9.04
Hey Everyone The Ubuntu NH LoCo is putting together a locally themed Ubuntu remix CD for the 9.04 release this April. The CD will be locally themed with it's own artwork pack and links/integration with local/state resources (ie, NH law search in Firefox/Deskbar, book search via regional library networks, etc). Our goal is to commercially replicate/print 2500 of these for distribution across the state (libraries, colleges, etc) in May through September (inc SFD'09) funded by local sponsors. Of course anyone using (k)Ubuntu will be able to install the local theme and settings by adding our PPA (Personal Package Archive) to synaptic, the install CDs will include these as default. This is a big undertaking, so we're looking for photographers, artists, developers, and people passionate about Ubuntu to join us in this effort. We'll be following the Jaunty Release Schedulehttps://wiki.ubuntu.com/JauntyReleaseScheduleand participating in testing along the way. Technical experience in packaging isn't a requirement, but if you're interested in learning there are a number of workshops in the Ubuntu Developer Week https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UbuntuDeveloperWeek, a free workshop series run online next week during the day (11am to 4pm). Logs will be available on the wiki, but if you can participate there'll be a lively Q/A session with each workshop. Our team page is https://launchpad.net/~nhremixhttps://launchpad.net/%7Enhremix- anyone wanting to get involved should join and introduce themselves on the NH LoCo mailing list. ___ gnhlug-discuss mailing list gnhlug-discuss@mail.gnhlug.org http://mail.gnhlug.org/mailman/listinfo/gnhlug-discuss/
