Posted by woodsy on 12 November, 2006
In a recent anti-trust case, the US Court of Appeals has ruled that free software is legal, the Register reports.
The case was brought by one Daniel Wallace claiming that since the source code for Linux is free and free software companies have all contributed to the source under the GPL, those companies have formed a predatory pricing conspiracy to force smaller developers out of the software market. By giving software away, they have stifled competition, creating an environment where small developers can’t compete with Linux. The GPL functions as the conspiracy in this strange world, since it is a common effort to stifle any potential competition.
In his summation, Chief Judge Easterbrook stated that “the GPL and open-source software have nothing to fear from the antitrust laws.”
The full story is in the Register.
Posted in Linux, Open-source, Tech | Leave a Comment »
Posted by woodsy on 12 November, 2006
On its website Bristol City Council claims that “Bristol City Council Waste Services and Street Scene Group will clear any fly tipped waste from public areas generally within two working days“. How well does this claim stand up to investigation? The answer is not very well, if you happen to live in Easton.
On 27th September I reported fly-tipped waste on Bannerman Road. It has finally been cleared in the last week – six weeks after it was originally reported. Even emailing a local ward councillor didn’t help. Well done, thou good and trusty public servants.
However, I’m not the only one to suffer such poor service. If you don’t believe how bad things are, Bob Blackmore of Goodpenny Island recently got an item in the Evening Post condemning the service provided to Eastonites by the council. As a result of the Post item, Bob had a meeting with Gary Hopkins, the City Council Executive member for “Environment and Community Safety”, who, according to Bob, made lots of promises regarding future improvements. However, Bob is not holding his breath.
Update 14/11/2006: News has just arrived that Easton Residents’ Network and Somali Voice have organised a public meeting with Gary Hopkins and council staff for 11th December at Easton Community Centre to discuss the filthy state of Easton. I’ll be there to report.
Posted in Bristol, Easton, Media | Leave a Comment »
Posted by woodsy on 12 November, 2006
Dorkbot – a worldwide movement dedicated to doing strange things with electricity – seems to have settled well into Bristol, having held its second meeting at Watershed on Thursday, 9th November.
Clare makes patterns with light. Photo taken by John Honniball
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Posted in Bristol, Dorkbot, Tech | 3 Comments »
