Re: Is everybody dumber than me?
 

I'm a commie leecher dumb***** myself and I have no shame in admitting that.
The only thing I ever compiled for the N800 was the Einstein NewtonOS emulator.
And since I don't have a valid NewtonOS ROM I couldn't even run it!

And ArnimS's mad rapid compiling/porting binge to the N770/N800 make me look even dumber.
Stupid botched-up Scratchbox environment on my VMware Maemo image...

Re: Is everybody dumber than me?
 

Hey ArnimS, I guess you did prove everyone is dumber then you ;)

Re: Is everybody dumber than me?
 

The way it was explained to me is that Canola is written by an R&D lab that is "sponsored" by Nokia for tax write-off reasons. Something like that anyway.

I don't think anyone but Canola's management knows what they hope to gain by making it closed source. While it's a nice app, it doesn't really innovate (so I doubt there is anything patentable). And I doubt it has much value as a paid app considering that it's being given away for free. And it doesn't provide any functionality that you can't get elsewhere. It's basically just a prettier version of the default media player + the nokia streaming UPnP app rolled into one. So if they're giving it away, why not make it free so that I wouldn't have had to write Kagu in the first place? eh?

Again, I don't get it. And I'll continue *****ing about it (and working on Kagu) until someone gives me a straight answer.

Frankly, I think someone needs to sit Canola's management down and explain open source to them. It sounds like they're operating out of corporate habit. Wake up. Canola was the perfect potential open source app that never became open source. And for no good reason. Shame.

Re: Is everybody dumber than me?
 

Wait... aren't you more of a commie if you're stupid enough (trevarthan raises his hand) to contribute? Commies work for free. Capitalists get paid. Isn't that how it works?

I've always thought that Open Source is the only way that communism ever actually works in practice. The funny thing is that I'm not really sure *why* it works, and I'm a contributing developer.

I find it difficult to analyze what motivates me to code for free. I tell my friends that it's "like art". But I don't really believe that most of the time. I think it's a combination of selfishness "I need X feature", the desire to help others (i.e. "give back"), and the desire for recognition. Maybe that *is* art?

Re: Is everybody dumber than me?
 

I suppose you didn't notice the announcement that Canola's going full open source after it's done being rewritten in Python?

Re: Is everybody dumber than me?
 

Just to clarify (in general, as usual): "Commie leecher" does not refer to people who contribute to something for free; it does, however, refer to those who think everyone should be compelled to contribute for free. Which is, if you think about it, basically highway robbery.

Like taxes. <dons flameproof suit and ducks>

Re: Is everybody dumber than me?
 

Nope. Got a link? They've been saying they want to make it open source for a while, but it never happens.

Re: Is everybody dumber than me?
 

And there's the irony to the thread. If there's anyone who deserves accolades for his accomplishments (and obvious abilities) here it's Arnim. I am going to have to come up with something for him as a token reward...

Oh, and for the record: no one needs to explain open source to Marcello, or any of the maemo folks. They know. And a little detective work would reveal that to anyone involved in Linux coding.

Re: Is everybody dumber than me?
 

I am :(

I stopped trying to live up to others expectations... no one is disappointed that way. :p

***

An active developer can create a nice revenue stream even from a small community such as ours. In my experience, you need a bit of up front sweat capital or equity, a web page with an active donations link, and the support of a forum such as this.
It will get the ball rolling and create incentive. If you do only a few things extremely well, word of mouth (posts) from happy users will take over from there.

Unfortunately, often is the case where a good idea is taken only 80 - 90% of the way and then orphaned....

There are quite a few "open source" orphans roaming around out there.

Re: Is everybody dumber than me?
 

Very good points, YoDude.