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Messages - w3bcrawler [ switch to compact view ]

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1
That seems a bit far fetched -- the GPL covers the code, not the API.

Quick google:

https://www.publickn...opyrightability-apis


That's why I initially dismissed it as fearmongering. However, the precedent set is that Google's use of Oracle's API is 'fair use' (which happens to be over >10,000 lines of code, used in software contained in billions of 'instances' of products). Google argued that because of the fair use, any licensing restrictions should be disregarded. And they won. There's still a chance this could be appealed, however it sets a dangerous precedent. Anyone who has an API that is freely usable can have it integrated by a larger company (which could tax a smaller company's systems) with impunity towards the API's/creator's license. This also invites further speculation regarding copyright law because not even copyright experts/scholars/academics could see this ruling coming.

From the second paragraph in the first article I linked:

The Oracle v. Google trial concluded yesterday when a jury returned a verdict in Google's favor. The litigation began in 2010, when Oracle sued Google, saying that the use of Java APIs in Android violated copyright law. After a 2012 trial, a judge held that APIs can't be copyrighted at all, but that ruling was overturned on appeal. In the trial this month, Google successfully argued that its use of Java APIs, about 11,500 lines of code in all, was protected by "fair use."

Richard Stallman can agree/disagree all he wants - he's simply the creator of GPL, he has no sway over it's legal interpretation beyond what has already been committed to the GPL.

2
Hello everyone,

I hope you're well on this day. Something has been brought to my attention through social media and I thought I would share it with you. It's the result of a legal battle regarding Google's use (in proprietary software) of Oracle's Java API and the case has quite immense implications for anyone who has written free software, which is why I am sharing it. Google won the case.

First link, an op-ed article on Ars in regards to the case and case law:
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2016/05/op-ed-oracle-attorney-says-googles-court-victory-might-kill-the-gpl/

Second link, an article written by the lawyer who represented Oracle in this case:
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/death-free-software-how-google-killed-gpl-annette-hurst

I initially dismissed this as fearmongering, but the reality is that successful cases which aren't appealed (or lose on appeals) tend to be regarded as legal precedents - on which future cases/case law is decided. If you are a developer, I encourage you to keep a close eye on this case, further similar cases, and any appeals that may occur in the near future.

w3bcrawler

3
Hey Asudem,

sj1k and I have started a programming-related website that runs on WordPress. The URL is http://www.uptone.ca/ .. it's quite simple to set up, there are a metric ton of themes (or you can design your own / have someone else do it, quite a few people make a living off creating WordPress themes), and there are also lots of plugins.

If you're interested in taking a peek at how WordPress themes are made, take a look at https://codex.wordpress.org/Theme_Development

w3bcrawler

[edit: added link to Theme Development in the WordPress Codex]

4
Does any of you guys use a Surface as your only computer, or is it "always" the transportable I'm-off-for-a-meeting one? I guess my question is, if I need two computers, or if a strong Surface will do?
 :tellme:



I use my Surface 4 Pro as a main machine and a mobile machine. I have a desktop that's way more powerful but I honestly enjoy using the Surface a lot more because the touchscreen and stylus make it really easy to read and annotate. The display is also stunning. For using it 'on the go', I use it for university. The charge lasts about 4-8hrs depending on what you're using it for and what your settings are (ie screen brightness etc)

I have the i5/4GB RAM/128GB SSD model, and it's honestly met and exceeded my expectations in every regard. It's also worth noting that I'm not by any means a Microsoft fanboi, but this is by far the best machine I've ever laid hands on.

Cheers!

w3bcrawler

5
Hey there. I'm not exactly sure what you intend on using it for, but I'll let you know about my experience so far with the Surface 4 Pro.

I have a Surface 4 Pro with an i5 processor and 128GB storage - it's essentially the mid-range Surface 4 Pro model. I've found it incredibly easy to use and the screen is absolutely gorgeous. My only real issue with it is the touchscreen - with some apps, they are not exactly 'optimized' for such a small screen/high resolution, so some buttons take a few attempts to 'hit' if you're using the touchscreen aspect of it (since some buttons are very small due to the high resolution) - I usually just use the pen for any kind of specific pointing.

Otherwise, I'm absolutely in love with the machine. The sound quality and video quality is phenomenal, the responsiveness is amazing, and the versatility is hard to beat - you can either use it as a standard tablet, as a tablet + stylus, or as a laptop with the type cover. The pen is great, it attaches to the Surface magnetically, it has an eraser, the palm-block technology they use is wonderful, so is their handwriting and speech recognition.

I'd have to say it's probably the best money I've spent for a mobile computer, but it really depends on the context in which you need to use it. I've used it for playing games like Hearthstone and taking care of all my university needs.

Good luck in your search!

6
Living Room / Rejection Therapy
« on: November 28, 2015, 12:44 PM »
Hey everyone! I haven't posted in a while - not that I am a frequent poster - and I ran across something that I thought would be interesting to share. I'm going to try to make this post not look spammy, it's just an interesting concept and I think that most people could benefit from such a thing.

It's a game called Rejection Therapy™.

From the website:

Rejection Therapy™ is the real life game with one rule. The game is designed for anyone who wants to build confidence and overcome fear of rejection.

Rejection Therapy will show you how rejection can be an exciting and positive experience.


I stumbled upon this game when I was browsing lifehack blogs, and I just thought I'd share it - we're social creatures and not fearing rejection helps us pursue that goal.

There are a few different flavors of the game (classic, entrepreneur, and blue pill editions). It's a card-based game and from what I understand, each card comes with it's own chalenge for you to overcome rejection in some way, shape or form.

Here's the link to the website: http://rejectiontherapy.com/

Cheers!

-w3bcrawler

7
Living Room / Re: A short history of Google's algorithm updates
« on: June 08, 2015, 05:36 PM »
Yeah - and worst case scenario, even if non-responsive/non-mobile-friendly sites are removed from search results, I'm fairly certain DC will still find itself in the search results through being mentioned on sites that have already implemented said responsiveness/mobile-friendliness.

8
Living Room / A short history of Google's algorithm updates
« on: June 08, 2015, 05:22 PM »
Hello everyone. For many of us, Google is ubiquitous throughout our daily lives. I thought it would be interesting to share an article that was posted recently - it covers some of the main algorithmic changes that have occurred in Google's products.

What surprised me the most was April 2015 - MobileGeddon. Websites that aren't mobile friendly or responsive will be given the lowest priority in search results, or removed altogether.

Here is a link to the article, and a shout-out to mouser for calling me out on my derpness in forgetting the actual link.
http://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/224/16/129554.html

Have a good day, everyone.

10
Microsoft's operating system chief Terry Myerson said, "We are upgrading all qualified PCs, genuine and non-genuine, to Windows 10." This means that everyone running Windows 7 or 8.1, irrespective of whether you pirated the operating system or not, will be allowed to upgrade to a legitimate version of Windows 10.

Source: http://arstechnica.c...d-non-genuine-users/

I think this is great! Not only will people be able to get their hands on legitimate copies, but I suspect there will be much less malware floating around (generally speaking) when people can update old / non-secure versions of Windows.

What do you think, DC?

11
Just going to leave this here.. I'm sure many of you know the feeling.

[attachtimg=1]

12
Anyone want to have me over? :3

10714124_10154681724680652_337498007871555691_o.jpg

13
Living Room / Re: Show us a photo of your mutt or other creatures..
« on: October 15, 2014, 03:18 PM »
Here are my kitties. :3

IMG00056-20140820-1740.jpg
IMG00058-20140821-2037.jpg
IMG00064-20140912-1911.jpg
IMG00068-20140912-1912.jpg
IMG00067-20140912-1911.jpg



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