Giving Everything Away

Way back at BarCamp NYC Chris Messina mentioned a paper called, An Economy for Giving Everything Away. It is not the most gripping read (and perhaps that is why it has taken me a while to actually mention it… I have picked it up and put it down a few times in the last 2 weeks) but it raises interesting ideas that apply to the concept of open source, and non-competition in open source markets. How can we satisfy our clients with our work, but also keep it for ourselves, and freely share with others? This is a problem addressed by open source software. The nature of software is that it can be freely reproduced and reused. However, current laws treat software as a creative work for which every user must get permission from the creator in order to make a copy. Many software vendors use these laws to restrict access to the workings of the software, which are considered secret. This legal environment discourages sharing even when the creator prefers to encourage it. Consequently, a spectacular movement has arisen to create software under licenses that promote copying, and encourage users to examine and even edit the underlying source code. [3] How can one make money from works that may be freely shared? The affordability, quality, and proliferation of open source software has attracted commercial efforts. Makers of open source software have proven the viability of a variety of business models: organizing, packaging, distributing and branding software, offering training, consultations, extensions, and customizations, publishing books, magazines and organizing conferences. However, it seems that none of them directly profit from...

Goodbye Sunshine, hello Seattle

<p>I flew into Seattle on Saturday night. The sun came out on Sunday. Tuesday wasn't half bad, yesterday was spectacular. This morning the sky was blue… but by noon the clouds thickened, the sky turned grey, and it started to drizzel. I could only hold them back for so long.</p> <p>(sunset pictures coming...

Penguin Day Seattle 2006

The Penguins are heading to the Pacific Northwest! Come to Penguin Days in Seattle on March 25th right after the National Technology Conference (NTC) in downtown Seattle (right next to the NTC!) Organized by Aspiration and PICnet Register at http://www.penguinday.org What in the world is a Penguin Day? Penguin Day Seattle will bring together non-profit technology staff and open source software (OSS) developers for a day of learning and conversation. We’ll demystify open source for nonprofits, frankly address the challenges of developing open source tools for non profits, and celebrate strengths and successes of open source in the nonprofit sector. Leading open source innovators, including One Northwest (Seattle) and FreeGeek (Portland) will share their stories and knowledge. If you are curious about open source software for your nonprofit organization, Penguin Days are for you! Register at http://www.penguinday.org Who is behind Penguin Days in Seattle? Penguin Day Seattle is made possible with the help of Aspiration, PICnet, local partners and YOU! What will I take away from Penguin Day? Penguin Day Seattle feature a packed agenda of interactive workshops, round tables, and “speed geeks.” Topics include: Introduction to Free and Open Source Software for Nonprofits Local resources and who’s-who in the Seattle Free/Open Source community Helping techies and non-techies communicate Overview of Free and Open Source desktop applications e-Advocacy platforms The Economics of Open Source: How free is “free?” Selecting an Open Source operating system Migrating your organization to Free and Open Source software Creative Commons and Open Content Speed Geek (a lively tour of projects and tools) I Love It! How Can I Get Involved? Come to Seattle and...

Riddle me this: Vonage Soft Phone

I just looked into adding Vonage Softphone to my Vonage Account. It turns out that you cannot use Vonage Softphone with your existing Vonage Phone Number! So I would need to add a Vonage Softphone line with a new number in order to use Vonage SoftPhone while I am away. Does that make any sense? shouldn’t you be able to have a SoftPhone that is the same number as your main Vonage line? so you can use it anywhere without having to lug your Vonage Router...

NYC Drupal Developer / Business Meeting

What: Meeting of Drupal Developers, Vendors and Hobbiests Where: EyeBeam Research and Development 540 W. 21st Street, (between 10th and 11th Avenues) New York, NY 10011 Tel. 212.937.6581 Fax: 212.937.6582 When: Thursday, February 16th, 2006 3PM to 5:15PM (Starting Promptly at 3:!5) Why: It is always good to get together and talk in person. Following on the heals of the SF / Bay ARea Drupal Developer meeting, BarCampNYC and the DrupalCON OSCMS CON in Vancouver, this will be an opportunity for Drupal Developers to share meet each other, share their work and report in on the various conferences and unconferences related to the world of Drupal. Preliminary Agenda: Introductions Report from DrupalCon OSCMS CON Module Discussions: developers talk about modules they are working on ReBlog: EyeBeam Groups ForwardPledge/Track: CivicActions Drupal Guild Discussion Visit the Wiki for More information and to sign up! PLEASE RSVP Space is limited to...