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Friday, May 25, 2012

A Sinking Ship or a Rising Phoenix?

So I was just reading an article on Tech Republic defending Microsoft's support of open source technology.  The article illustrated ten points that showed a large amount of Microsoft technology the company has open sourced.  Looking at that, and the statement the article made about Microsoft now being on of the top twenty contributors to Linux, it seems like open source is the new motto at Microsoft.

But there was another company that once aspired yo reach the top of the world, and failed.  In its death throws, that company, one Sun Micro systems, decided that it would make a sort of bid for immortality, turning almost all of software offerings into open source products.

Now, I'm not saying I think Microsoft is going anywhere, or that they have any plans to sell, but neither did Sun, and now they're gone.  The point I'm really driving at is maybe this is a last effort to stay relevant, or maybe a shot at something greater.

To argue against the Sun comparison, I will point out two major differences that Microsoft has from what Sun did.  Microsoft has money, and they have better PR than Sun did.

The money thing should speak for itself.  The PR thing, that where Sun really failed.  Almost no one knew that Sun was dying.  If Microsoft suddenly disappeared, people would notice.

So make your own decision, if Microsoft setting up to sink or soar?

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Just An Update

So I figured I'd just drop a line and say something really quick.  With all of the jumbled chaos of a new baby and buying a house, I haven't been keeping up with all of Digital Fruit's media outlets.

First item of business is the two sites I've been working on to help generate some more biz around our web development branch, tcgindex.info, and picapedia.info.  These two new sites stem from two of my more passionate obsessions, collectable card games and photography, though the later will be far less focused on just photography, and more of a go-to place for images of just about anything.

Next update is a renewed push for the Digital Fruit Aluminum drive.  If you have anything to donate, it is greatly appreciated, and the proceeds from this will help both the community and the environment.  So, if you see a can pick it up and save it for a better tomorrow.

And lastly, the Digital Fruit Small Business Conference is fast approaching.  If you have not reserved your seat, do so soon, as seating is limited.

That's all I have for today, so catch you on the flip side.

Sunday, May 13, 2012

USA Not Doing So Hot

I read about the Swiss movement know as the Pirate Party way back in 2009 I think, in an article in the Seattle Times.  I was impressed by the idea that a political party could form over just the abuses of the world wide web.  And honestly, that was the last I heard of them for a while.

But the Pirate party has made some news lately, and frankly, I'm worried we are falling behind here in the states.  In this article and this one, I've found they have been a very busy political force, becoming the third largest party in Germany.  In just two years!  It kind of makes you wonder if all of this copyright and fair-use law might just be a little important.  But here in the states, nobody gives a damn.  In a country born on the principles of freedom, we've been willingly signing away our rights over how we use the internet and how property is owned.

And that is correct, I did say property.  When you go and download a program or a song from the internet, the legal term is IP, intellectual property, and we have always regarded the purchase of property to be a transfer of that property from one person to another.  But these days, people in power want to limit your rights to do so.  There are major name producers that are trying to make it so you can't even re-sell a CD or video game without paying them again.

While the Pirate party may have been founded with a silly name and very loose purpose, that of simple keeping the internet free and open, I think we can all learn from the Pirates, and maybe find that inner Pirate in all of us.  Stand up, make your voice heard, and don't let those who would limit your rights get away with it without a fight.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Props To Open Source

So, while watching stuff on July the other day, I noticed a very subtle tribute to the open source community during a Verizon commercial.  I'm not sure if it was intentional on the part of the marketing group who created the ad, but it still stands as a profound mark for open means of communication.

During their new Droid Does marketing campaign, there is a scene where a dad and two boys are camping, they pop their heads out of the tent, then the camera cuts back inside to them watching a video on the phone.  To most people it just looks like a cartoon, but to these wary open sourced eyes, I knew it for what it was.  It was the scene in Big Buck Bunny where Franky throws an acorn at the bird.

So, an open source product endorsing an open movie.  That's a lot of open.