3 ms·

This is just a PR move to get the tech community to hate them less, even if only by a little bit. They want to muddy the waters and insert the idea into people

This is just a PR move to get the tech community to hate them less, even if only by a little bit. They want to muddy the waters and insert the idea into people's minds that "we're not all bad."

unfunco 11y ago
I don't think that's the case, the software is taxpayer funded so it makes sense to release it. I think it's more likely that it will help with recruitment, pull requests of high-quality might provide a potential interview or job offer.
- voltagex_ 11y ago
  Look at the Issues. Trolls are going to ruin it as the path of least resistance will be to disable them.
- EvanPlaice 11y ago
  If it's 'taxpayer funded' as you say, it should be licensed under the public domain. No 'if', 'ands', or 'buts'. If it's paid for by the people it's the property of the people.
  - spyspy 11y ago
    And if you pay enough in taxes you should get your own tomahawk cruise missile.
    - EvanPlaice 11y ago
      Not sure what you'd do with a tomahawk (besides hump it for fortitude). Anyway... In the US the policy is: A United States government work is prepared by an officer or employee of the United States government as part of that person's official duties. It is not subject to copyright in the United States and there are no copyright restrictions on reproduction, derivative works, distribution, performance, or display of the work. Anyone may, without restriction under U.S. copyright laws: - reproduce the work in print or digital form - create derivative works - perform the work publicly - display the work - distribute copies or digitally transfer the work to the public by sale or other transfer of ownership, or by rental, lease, or lending. Source: https://www.usa.gov/government-works https://www.usa.gov/government-works US government based software developer agencies like 18f and USDS (United States Digital Service) license all of their code to the public domain. The UK is slightly different: https://github.com/GovernmentCommunicationsHeadquarters/Gaffer/issues/3 https://github.com/GovernmentCommunicationsHeadquarters/Gaff... But there is the OGL (Open Government License): http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/information-management/re-using-public-sector-information/licensing-for-re-use/guidance-for-information-providers/make-information-available-ogl/ http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/information-management/re...
  - chr15p 11y ago
    Its paid for by the Crown (via its administrative arm, the UK government) so its the property of the Crown.

This is just a PR move to get the tech community to hate them less, even if only by a little bit. They want to muddy the waters and insert the idea into people's minds that "we're not all bad."

unfunco 11y ago

I don't think that's the case, the software is taxpayer funded so it makes sense to release it. I think it's more likely that it will help with recruitment, pull requests of high-quality might provide a potential interview or job offer.

voltagex_ 11y ago
Look at the Issues. Trolls are going to ruin it as the path of least resistance will be to disable them.
EvanPlaice 11y ago
If it's 'taxpayer funded' as you say, it should be licensed under the public domain. No 'if', 'ands', or 'buts'. If it's paid for by the people it's the property of the people.
- spyspy 11y ago
  And if you pay enough in taxes you should get your own tomahawk cruise missile.
  - EvanPlaice 11y ago
    Not sure what you'd do with a tomahawk (besides hump it for fortitude). Anyway... In the US the policy is: A United States government work is prepared by an officer or employee of the United States government as part of that person's official duties. It is not subject to copyright in the United States and there are no copyright restrictions on reproduction, derivative works, distribution, performance, or display of the work. Anyone may, without restriction under U.S. copyright laws: - reproduce the work in print or digital form - create derivative works - perform the work publicly - display the work - distribute copies or digitally transfer the work to the public by sale or other transfer of ownership, or by rental, lease, or lending. Source: https://www.usa.gov/government-works https://www.usa.gov/government-works US government based software developer agencies like 18f and USDS (United States Digital Service) license all of their code to the public domain. The UK is slightly different: https://github.com/GovernmentCommunicationsHeadquarters/Gaffer/issues/3 https://github.com/GovernmentCommunicationsHeadquarters/Gaff... But there is the OGL (Open Government License): http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/information-management/re-using-public-sector-information/licensing-for-re-use/guidance-for-information-providers/make-information-available-ogl/ http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/information-management/re...
- chr15p 11y ago
  Its paid for by the Crown (via its administrative arm, the UK government) so its the property of the Crown.