Older blog entries for aicra (starting at number 22)

Daniel's First GPL

Today, Daniel Garcia GPL'd his code. Technically, it was always GPL'd because he had used GPL'd code to write it and modified it for the modules he wrote. He was not aware that the derivative work was to be GPL'd as well. Once he realized what had happened, he exclaimed how happy he was.

Daniel: i'm so happy

Daniel: my code is GPL'd

Kaoru: Is this your first one?

Daniel: Well, technically, no ;). It's always been GPL'd

Kaoru: So tell me how you feel about this first GPL thing

Daniel: It's like Pam over at Groklaw said, "I feel like I'm home"

Daniel: "before it felt like I was a guest"

Daniel: "a well treated guest, but a guest nonetheless"

Daniel: now I feel "freer"

Daniel: it's hard to explain

Daniel: it's almost as if I had nasal congestion and all of a suddenly I could breath

Daniel: are there any good links to advantages and disadvantages of the GPL that I could show my friend?

Kaoru: Well, SURE!

Well, today was interesting.

Emmett Plant's song we posted on Amazon went up to #42 on the Indie Charts. This has been quite interesting as I only put it there to get more people on the mailing list for Third Grade Crush and I was only testing it. It's licensed under the Creative Commons. That was his choice... I really like the EFF's Open Audio License, but oh well.

He put on the mailing list: "I have no idea how this happened, mainly because I never, ever link people to an Amazon site. I usually link people directly to music, because if they get it directly from me, they don't have to 'sign in' to anything. If you're interested in seeing the Amazon site for 'Eight Bits,' copy and paste this link:

http://tinyurl.com/5m72o

So anyways, there's the link for anyone interested.

The song is called Eight Bits and it's about video games. All in all it's a pretty fun song, and the nahnah part is Tetris theme music. So, it's really fun.

Other than that, just bombarded with school, chasing down vindaloo sauce and cleaning.

That's it... I'm finishing my style guide. Just now on the conference call, noone knows which guide to use... conflict

Last contract, no style guide.

I can't stand it anymore. Either just choose a guide, let me format it in a consistent manner or let me create a style guide...ack

Can he do it?

Can Emmett answer the big question? He's gonna make an attempt, I give him that. He's the only one I know who is even attempting such a thing. And he has the talent and mind to do it.

Will Emmett Plant answer the big question? Well, I think he'll answer the big question, but what will that answer be?

Will it be yes... Yes, someone can start from zero and make it as in music or No, someone can start from zero and not make it in music.

Either way, Emmett and the rest of us will come out ahead.

Today I'm mulling over that whole Ashcroft situation. I saw him on cspan last night. It was disgusting. He called people who use p2p clubs and thieves etc etc etc. What I find interesting his the insistance that these items were stolen.

Well, ok...wait a second. First of all what about first sale doctrine. If I purchase a movie, I can give away... as long as it's on the disk.

second of all and most importantly... what about the AHRA. Time and time again, I see people ignoring this. Why! We need to expand the knowledge of this act. People, you need to know.

The Audio Home Recording Act is there to allow users to copy music for personal use. So, fine then, Ashcroft. Go after the movies but don't touch music. We are protected.

A computer is not a device specifically designed to copy movies. If it were, then the user could be fined or in violation of the AHRA.

If your computer is not specifically desinged for certain purposes, which most computers are not... then music sharing is perfectly legitimate. Ok... there are ethical things involved and there is the balance question, but really, we need to address those in an appropriate manner, not go after people with criminal or civil charges.

Today, I finally got faqlinux.com running. Still have to figure out the hosting issue. Here is not good... cox... but will work it out. Need writers. Not sure if I want to go with advertisers. Don't want anyone owning my content, so to speak.

Going to publish a magazine for writers and users. faqLinux Magazine. Now, a monthly journal.

Finishing my thesis. Went from Distance Learning and Copyright ownership in education to Perceptive Compliance of the TEACH Act. It works.

Trying to get into Yale for my PhD. It's a long shot, but I'll try. Maybe I should go to law school...but 3 years... that's awhile more of school

Wow, am really having fun with Blender.

This blender thing could work out if only I had more time.

Installed Tvtime on the Deb. It worked ok. I give that guy credit. Tested it with ffmpeg. Recorded great quality. Used it and recorded a video tape of RMS visit. Finally, the sound synced correctly, well, that is after I installed the sound card. Prior, had on board sound probs.

I NEED a good video editor. IN the past 2 years, I could have written one if I hadn't gotten caught up in this relationship. Longest one night stand ever!

This summer I'm driving across country. I wanted to help Tina promote her book but it doesn't look like her book will happen until fall so we might just drive across.

Oh well, we have a place to stay all summer in Waterbury. I must remember to email Jay S. for chinese or something.

Today I woke early. Well, early for me - noonish. I was up until 7am watching Brazil and reading. I'm working on finishing the chapter exams. But since the payment didn't come until after new year, I worked on my other book - my love, my life (civil liberties). The only reason for writing this CBT, to survive while writing the other book.

The DMCA book is almost finished. The first book asked a lot of questions and this one answers some. Back in 2000 people knew nothing and that book was just supposed to be a layman's guide to what is going on... Now, this book is for those truly interested in the DMCA.

I remembered to include a thanks to Cory Doctorow and Daniel Orr, for without whom, I would never have had the desire to complete this work. The book began as a DMCA FAQ for the EFF blog. It also includes a glossary for the DMCA. I was going to write just a DMCA encyclopedia and queried the FSF. I never got back to Lisa about it. I wanted it to give her a good sample and just got carried away with it.

Of course, I built this book upon advice I received from RMS in the past about the first book and on other occassions. He is such a good writer. In the last few years I noticed his writing isn't as frequent. He is busy with his sweetheart I suppose. More power to him!

Of course the book is being published non exclusively.

I'll purchase my tickets for Rhode Island this summer and work on helping lobster "farmers" in Connecticut. In October, I noticed some posted signs of injustice at the docks in Mystic. This summer, I'm going to be a LOBSTER "FARMER" and raise some noise!!!