vb33's comments

On: Will Ubuntu Edge commit to using only free software?

[vb33]

I am failing to see the advantage to open source if Ubuntu succeeds. It will just be another Android, but with an uglier UI. Canonical contribute virtually no useful code back to the wider community. Their own projects are difficult to consume (if they're not already poorly duplicating functionality).

Unlocking all functionality of a device is extremely difficult while binary blobs are shipped, something I would have thought appealed to _hackers_.

[fingerprinter → vb33]

Can't tell if trolling or .... (5 minute old account).

Code is great. Know what else is great? Relevance.

Ubuntu brought that to Linux desktops via audience. Ubuntu made some projects not toil in obscurity. Ubuntu has given life to many an open source project.

If Ubuntu succeeds in either the desktop or phone, all the underlying technology that Ubuntu is built on will get a huge boost. It's that simple.

[vb33 → fingerprinter]

There are now millions of users of "Linux" because of Android. Where is the huge boost to the underlying technology?

Ubuntu brought users, but no benefit. Unless posting bugs to the Fedora bug-tracker their own developers are too incompetent to fix counts.

You are delusional. Ubuntu is no more true to open-source ideology than OS X. I would argue that Apple contribute significantly more open and useful code back.

[fingerprinter → vb33]

Again, so the only measure you would count is lines of code? That is it, pure and simple?

Relevance doesn't count? A reason for being doesn't matter? A project existing in a vacuum is just as good as a project with millions of users?

TBH, you sound more like an Ubuntu hater than someone who wants to reason rationally.

[vb33 → fingerprinter]

I'm a programmer, yes, I use LOC to quantify their worth. Especially when they are touted as a hero of Open Source, when so far their actions are of a typical corporate leech.

[fingerprinter → vb33]

Do you use the same metric for everyone else?

By your reasoning would designers, lawyers, graphics folk, accountants, managers and marketers not be contributing to a software company?

[anoncow → vb33]

I really don't see a point comparing apples and oranges. Ubuntu and Android both have their contributions. I am not qualified enough to comment on the OS X part though.

[pekk → vb33]

Which is the closed source code that Canonical is failing to contribute back to the community?

[vb33 → pekk]

Ubuntu One server software is closed source. The code which integrates with Amazon ads is closed source. Launchpad was closed source for some time. The Ubuntu sign-on service is closed source.

I wasn't only referring to their proprietary work - their own code is often extremely difficult to consume by outsiders.

[zanny → vb33]

Hey, ufw is a nice iptables front end that is portable, and by Canonical.

Besides that I got nothin'.