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I agree. Why not open-source the other software parts under some fairly protective license like AGPL for the server and Artistic License v2 for the client inter

I agree. Why not open-source the other software parts under some fairly protective license like AGPL for the server and Artistic License v2 for the client interface to the AGPL-ed server. These licenses adequately protect you from a commercial entity coming and stealing the mass market business opportunity or the community, while still making it possible to support individual hackers like Amadou that can contribute a lot, but won't unless it is open source end to end.

Amadou 13y ago
I don't wish to give the impression that hacking on the hardware is my goal. I could, but I'd rather not. The reason external dependencies are a problem for me is that they take away my ability to control my system. If I have to hack together something to use it without the servers, then that's a marginal improvement over having to reverse engineer the protocol on the wire, but it's still really customer unfriendly. Anyone who buys this system and makes it central to their home's operation (as intended) becomes exceptionally vulnerable to the decisions of the people who control the servers. Even if the developers' interests always align with my interests, I'm still vulnerable if their system gets hacked, if they go bankrupt (and shut down) or if they are acquired by a company with a different management perspective. It would be like buying a car that has to check in with Lexus every time I want to start the engine.
- nitrogen 13y ago
  It would be like buying a car that has to check in with [ed: GM] every time I want to start the engine. Isn't that called OnStar?