Open source projects crowded out by ads
Posted 9:18 AM

SO, I wanted to print to a PDF file on my Windows XP box. I know that there must be someone who built an GNU PDF driver, but finding it was difficult. Major search engines, like Google, just can't seem to realize that what I really want is something like PDFCreator (3rd page of my search), and not the various paid and/or spyware-installing packages, like CutePDF, DocUDesk, Win2PDF, etc.

This is a common practice on the internet now. Download some open source (in this case, ghostscript), make a trivial installer or front-end for it (even if an open source one is readily available), and then either charge for it or put spyware all over the installer. Since the installer is their source code, they aren't violating the GPL.

Why isn't the open source version more prominently listed at Google? Because commercial vendors can afford to flood the internet with advertising. Using free software to provide paid-for services, is one thing. But repackaging free software with spyware is something else.

Hopefully some people needing PDF software will find this article first, before they install.

Labels: google, open source, software

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Where do you live if your income is derived from the Internet?
Posted 11:37 AM

Where do you live if your income is derived from the Internet?

Currently I live in Williamsburg, Brooklyn - one of the most expensive places in the world. It seems to be the most ridiculous place to live. On the up side, there are lots of new parents, good friends, fun classes for Noey. The downside is that there are few trees, lots of broken glass, and occasional odd fumes like burning plastic or spilled gas. Personally, I just don't want to get stuck here.

So we've tried to see what it's like to live as a family in a dozen cities throughout Europe and the U.S. My wife looks for co-ops, ethnic and philosophic diversity, pilates classes. I look for work ethic and sustainable industry. I don't like the artificial "communities of artists" who are busy knitting and patting each other on the back.

I know in a couple years Noey's probably going to school, and we really should settle down. But there's always home schooling, drop-in classes, and the burgeoning networks of internet connected parents who are all too happy to have more kids drop in and make their play and library times more interesting.

So far I think we're thinking about the "Research Triangle" area. We spent a week there. Or maybe we'll stay here in Brooklyn. I'll probably delete this blog entry as embarrassing.

An aside: I know that if you think everyone else is crazy, that means you are. But is it a sign of "nearing a mild insanity" that I often think that "nearly everyone" is "mildly crazy"?

Labels: north carolina

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