For the first time, and allegedly the last, I wen’t to LugRadio Live UK 2008 in …. Wolverhampton. I’d never been to Wolverhampton before; it was just about everything I had expected.
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On Thursday 17th July my OpenMoko Neo FreeRunner arrived from Truebox. I’ve taken a series of pictures which you can see below. I’ve been anticipating the release of the GTA02 for about a year. That’s largely because it has taken much, much longer than FIC/OpenMoko had planned to develop the hardware for the phone and get a (semi) usable software stack.
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Posted in IT
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Tagged FreeRunner, OpenMoko
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I just read this article. To quote:
Open source software had its origins in the free software movement. By now, most open source users understand that free refers to freedom, not to price. The new lesson is that the freedom belongs to the software, not to users. You are not free to do whatever you want with the open source software and may find yourself in a legal fight if what you do restricts the freedom of the software. (ed. emphasis mine).
Okay, this isn’t strictly true as it’s really referring to Free Software (GPL) rather than Open Source which includes BSD and MIT licenses which are less restrictive. After all you can pretty much do what you want with BSD and MIT licensed software including taking it proprietary.
Of course you’ve never been able to do what you like with Free Software. Continue reading →
I went to my first Barcamp which was held in the North East in Newcastle on Saturday 24th to Sunday 25th May. A bit of a cheat really, because I live in Newcastle – so that made it ridiculously easy to go to. I guess I didn’t get the full barcamp experience because I didn’t sleep over at the venue, nor stay up ’till 4.30am. However, I would imagine that each person has a different Barcamp experience based on their expectations, effort at participation and personality type.
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Just when I thought I didn’t need any new reasons not to travel to the US a new one pops up:
Europeans and other potential enemies of the US are to be forced to deposit their personal details on the Department of Homeland Security’s computer system 72 hours before they get anywhere near the place.
The new rules will apply to citizens of the UK, and other countries whose citizens can travel to the US under the “visa waiver program”, from January next year. The prime motivation for the scheme is increased concern in Washington that European grown terrorists can exploit the visa waiver program to get into the US and wreak havoc.
Such a beautiful, interesting country populated by really great people; sadly governed by (apparent) idiots.
Posted in Life
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Tagged Liberty, Privacy, USA
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After my mini rant yesterday, it appears that the legal challenge to the BSI has actually happened. A judicial review of the decision making process of the BSI will at least look at why, and how, the BSI changed its mind regarding approving OOXML (DIS 29500) against the technical recommendations of the subcommittee.
Of course, what we really need, is a fully transparent process at the BSI where they publish their proceedings and are fully accountable for the decisions that they make. We need a fair BSI whatever the standard is that they are reviewing and considering approval for. Otherwise, the BSI will, unfortunately, continue to be seen (even if it is unfair) as a ‘for hire’ rubber stamp approvals agency.
Posted in IT
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Tagged BSI, OOXML
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Prior to the BRM the BSI voted no. At the BRM the BSI indicated that the specification wasn’t ready. Prior to the vote, the BSI’s technical committee said no; the BSI group still voted yes. Against the advice of the technical committee. Why would they? With a single decision they have shone a very bright light on the contradictory processes that seems to exist at the BSI.
What’s interesting is the reaction to it. John Pugh MP has already raised questions, the UKUUG is seeking legal advice of the matter and numerous people are asking “just what is going on”.
One thing seems clear though; in one stroke the BSI devalued itself, devalued the standards process and made themselves a bit less relevant in an open standards world. It also raises questions about how they make decisions. With corporate interests controlling how and what the BSI approves, can we trust any new or existing standards coming out of the BSI? They have questions to answer and the silence is deafening.
Posted in Business, IT
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Tagged BSI, OOXML
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A cracking post from Rob Weir about the myth that having multiple document standards is ‘good’ for the consumer and that the market should be left to decide. I particularly like this bit:
How many spreadsheet formats does Microsoft use internally for running their business on? Why should governments be denied choice in the same field that Microsoft itself exerts its right to chose?
OOXML; Office Open XML. Even the name is false as it clearly isn’t ‘open’ in the sense of non-discriminatory, particularly against GPLed implementations. It’s not at all clear whether a GPL implementation of OOXML can be done.
Then there’s the specification itself. 6,000 pages at the first round, growing to something like 8,000 after the BRM. The sheer number of technical errors, failure to incorporate other ISO standards in the appropriate places, and downright contradictions should have ruled out the specification from becoming a standard. That Microsoft shoved this standard into the ISO Fast Track by getting ECMA to rubber stamp it shows a complete disregard for the standards process. Technical committees the world over agreed that the standard shouldn’t have been fast tracked.
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Posted in Business, IT
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Tagged ISO, Microsoft, OOXML
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It goes without saying that I’m staggered, and appalled, at the recent events with the OOXML standardisation process. Others, more informed than me, have written extensively on the subject at sites such as Growlaw, <NO>OOXML, Open Malaysia, Bob Sutor, Rob Wier, and Andy Updegrove to name but a few. That it has been provisionally approved pending any appeals is bad enough, but Microsoft’s antics are spectacular in their ruthless disregard of ethics, due process and respect for standards.
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Posted in Business, IT
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Tagged Microsoft, OOXML
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Twitter: ajkavanagh