AdvogatoRecent Advogato articlesRsync on Steroids- April 26, 2008 Rsync is an incredibly powerful tool that synchronises anything from a single file to an entire hierarchical filesystem, over a network. Unlike many other synchronisation methods, rsync will use the outdated copy of a file to save on network traffic (resulting in anything up to 99% optimisation). Rsync the implementation however is restricted to only Posix systems (such as Linux, Cygwin and BSD), and, worse, its implementation can only perform operations on Posix-based filesystems..http://www.advogato.org/article/974.html Apologies to Pizza!- April 26, 2008 informal though this is, it's important enough to say as an article. i've been keeping an eye on the series currently being written and some of my comments - most notably to Pizza - indicate that i'm "jumping up and down". so Pizza - many apologies! :)http://www.advogato.org/article/973.html Distributed Debian Distribution Development- April 26, 2008 As part of the Tech Fusion Outline Series, this article describes some additions to the Debian Distribution model which, if implemented, would have the benefits of making Debian, the Debian Development and deployment entirely independent of Server-based Infrastructure. The brief outline will be expanded in this dedicated article, pointing out how tieing together components and technology that already exists would be useful not only for Debian but also for other purposes, such as...http://www.advogato.org/article/972.html Free Choice: the "Social Business" model and Free Software- April 23, 2008 Free Software developers fall into two main categories: those that stand by the principles behind free software - patent-free, license-free and unrestricted distribution (for example, Richard Stallman's admirable stance); and those that are simply happy to compromise to some extent, for example to download libdvdcss to watch DVDs, or to install proprietary software such as Skype, on the basis that there is simply no (or no better) alternative (for example, Ubuntu which supports all kinds.http://www.advogato.org/article/971.html Free Soft Wear- April 21, 2008 Arrrgh ! I'm not a PiRRRate, I'm a PRRRivateeRRR !!! (I've got them letters of mark, from me uncle Sam !)http://www.advogato.org/article/970.html Better Free Software Organisations- April 17, 2008 Are free software users particularly bad at the basics of running an interest society, have I been spoiled by cooperatives with their friendly Member Services departments or secretariats, or what Is this why so many free software orgs seem to include self-perpetuating leadership groups Is this a serious problem if, as reported, Software Development is a Team Sport etbe Are there fully-working free software mass participation groups out therehttp://www.advogato.org/article/969.html Technology in Warfare, for Peacekeeping and Peacetime- April 16, 2008 In How Technology Almost Lost the War: In Iraq, the Critical Networks Are Social — Not Electronic the deployment of Technology assists soldiers to be more effective - providing the commander with real-time information on their location and status. Additionally, the local people are recruited to assist (including guarding the major of the town, who was funnelling money to insurgents). This article will outline the benefits of providing local people with access to the same...http://www.advogato.org/article/968.html Singularity of Computing- April 16, 2008 Computer Technology is not serving our needs, or if it is, it is vulnerable to failure at every level. Outlined in this article is a clear articulation of the failings of technology. Importantly, this article describes the solutions required to mitigate against failure and attack, and how to overcome some of the shortcomings that would, if implemented, make computer technology actually "useful" to the human race. Muhammad Yunus' book Creating a World without Poverty...http://www.advogato.org/article/967.html Muhammed Yunus Vison - IT Solutions to End Poverty (ISEP)- April 15, 2008 Muhammad Yunus book, Creating a World without Poverty envisions a world in which everyone is useful and leads fulfilling lives (following Mother Theresa's example, who is on record famously for stating that she would not attend anti-war rallies but only "Peace" rallies, and at the acceptable risk of offending Professor Yunus, a Nobel Peace Prize recipient, I would urge people to consider instead of focussing on "ending poverty" to focus instead on "Creating Wealth"). An excerpt -...http://www.advogato.org/article/966.html GNU and FSF News for April 2008- April 10, 2008 The combination of BusyBox, GPL, and SFLC proves itself unbeatable once again. The FSF has relaunched their website with a shiny new homepage. They've also set up a new free software job database. We have reports on rms speeches in Virginia and Berlin. Harald Welte and Groklaw win FSF awards. Gold goes Gold. Do I even need to mention that more software packages switched to GPLv3 this month We have the latest news from the Free Software Foundation Europe and the Free Software Foundation...http://www.advogato.org/article/965.html |