Life

Open source hardware: Fast and malleable

Open source hardware: Fast and malleable

SparkFun is not like BMW. We will never be the company to produce the luxury market version of breakout boards and development tools. I believe the only way SparkFun will survive this quickly changing world is to be malleable. We have to be ready to change. » Read more

0 CommentsPosted 23 May 2012 by Nate Seidle

Penguicon--Would you like some sci-fi in your open source?

Penguicon

Perhaps you've looked around a Linux conference and noticed more than a few "Han Shot First" t-shirts. Or maybe you enjoy sci-fi cons and are always pleased to see costumes powered by Arduinos. This year, the tenth annual Penguicon celebrated what happens when you cross those streams. » Read more

3 CommentsPosted 18 May 2012 by Ruth Suehle (Red Hat)

Inspired by Linux? Design a T-shirt

Inspired by Linux? Design a T-shirt

The Linux Foundation launched their annual T-shirt design contest. The theme this year is "Inspired by Linux," and The Linux Foundation created an inspirational video urging people to create a design based on what inspires them. » Read more

0 CommentsPosted 17 May 2012 by Jason Hibbets (Red Hat)

MediaGoblin 0.3.0 released: See what's happening with this media hosting project

MediaGoblin

MediaGoblin, which released version 0.3.0 this month, is a free and open source media hosting platform. Chris Webber, project founder and lead developer, took a few minutes to talk to us about the project so far and its future. » Read more

0 CommentsPosted 16 May 2012 by Ruth Suehle (Red Hat)

On Twitter, do you follow or listen?

On Twitter, do you follow or listen?

Something caught my attention in this story by Phil Shapiro. It was something he said in the video presentation he made--as he was describing what Twitter is and what people use it for, he made the argument that the term followers should be changed to listeners. This is where my brain started racing. » Read more

4 CommentsPosted 15 May 2012 by Jason Hibbets (Red Hat)

MCA, the DMCA, and stifled collaboration

Paul's Boutique on the turntable

Earlier this month, the world lost a music pioneer when Adam Yauch, a.k.a “MCA” of the Beastie Boys, succumbed to cancer at the age of 47. A founding member of the Beastie Boys, Yauch expanded upon his success in the music industry to exert his considerable influence and contributions outside music. He had a strong interest in film, which resulted in him directing several of the Boys’ music videos and in 2008 led to him founding Oscilloscope Studios, which produces and promotes independent films. In the 1990s, Yauch adopted Buddhism and began getting involved socially and politically in a variety of charities and activism. » Read more

0 CommentsPosted 14 May 2012 by Corey Welton

Open source makes you bolder

open source makes you bolder

I earn a living at a public library in the Washington, DC area. About a year ago I was trying to explain Twitter to someone for the fifth time that week. The person listening to me just wasn't getting it. "I need to give a public talk about Twitter here at this library," I muttered to myself. "That way I won't have to explain Twitter to every person who doesn't get it." » Read more

3 CommentsPosted 9 May 2012 by Phil Shapiro

Your mother was right, so send her an e-card

Your mother was right

Your mother was right--about a lot of things most likely--but we think your mother was right because she always told you it is better to share. Sharing is a very important part of the open source way, so tell your lovely mom thanks for teaching you values like sharing with this e-card.

» Read more

0 CommentsPosted 8 May 2012 by Mary Ann (Red Hat)

Do you use Creative Commons licenses?

Do you use Creative Commons licenses?

Creative Commons provides a set of copyright licenses and tools "that give everyone from individual creators to large companies and institutions a simple, standardized way to keep their copyright while allowing certain uses of their work."

The idea is to make sharing on the Internet more straightforward and understandable, so people do it more. » Read more

8 CommentsPosted 2 May 2012 by Colin Dodd (Red Hat)

Can an iPad be used to promote free and open source software?

Can an ipad be used to promote free and open source software?

I have many Linux-using friends who have no plans whatsoever to buy an iPad, and I respect them for having that stance. They are opposed to closed, locked, proprietary systems. I share their general values, but have chosen to buy a third-generation iPad and plunge headlong into creating iBooks using iBooks Author. I see the iPad as a exquisite tool for getting the word out about FOSS - free and open source software.

Apple is expected to sell 65 million iPads (or more) in 2012, according to analyst Canaccord Genuity. That's 65 million people I can inform about FOSS opportunities, such as the amazing Inkscape vector drawing program and OpenShot video editing program. Inkscape already runs well on Mac and Windows, and OpenShot is coming to Mac and Windows, so why not seize the chance to inform people about these programs? » Read more

5 CommentsPosted 1 May 2012 by Phil Shapiro