Open source licensing scheme the GNU General Public Licence (GPL) has been in the headlines recently after our favourite video playback app VLC was withdrawn from the iTunes App Store because its licensing conditions apparently aren’t compatible with the GPL. What exactly is the GPL and why does it matter?
Being on Twitter may be a pre-requisite for aspiring politicians these days, but much campaigning still takes place via old-fashioned mailbox drops. ElectionLeaflets.org.au is aiming to collect scans of all the leaflets used in the 2010 election, keeping a check on whether any parties make unwarranted or dodgy claims.
Mac only: Previously mentioned open source FTP client Cyberduck has just released a new major version, featuring Google Docs uploading and downloading, image-to-Google-Doc conversion, and a Reduced Redundancy Storage option for Amazon S3 storage.
Windows: If you’re setting up a new system or helping a friend to see how much great free and open source software exists, ZeuAPP is a portable installation tool for nearly a hundred applications.
Yesterday, Steve Jobs worked his charm, attempting to wow the world with the Apple iPad, a new, super-slim computer he touted as the missing link between iPhones and laptops. It’s an undeniably beautiful device, but it also represents some serious problems.
Open source has bought us some great products, but even if you’re a programming genius, working out how to get involved in a project can be challenging. The TeachingOpenSource.org site offers a wealth of material to help you learn the basics.
It’s bound to roil open source advocates, but some Ubuntu leaders are asking the community which third-party, proprietary applications should be available for easy installation. You can weigh in on Photoshop, iTunes, Evernote and more in an online survey.
Windows/Mac/Linux: Feed reader RSSOwl has long been a favourite of open-source advocates, despite being a bit less powerful than its competition. Version 2, however, brings OPML import/export, sharing and smart searching, finally giving it powers to rival its desktop counterparts.
Drawing on the enthusiasm of crowds is critical to the success of open source projects. However, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales — no stranger to the virtues of collaborative enterprises — reminds us that there are limits to how far this can be taken.
