Update + Linux
Hey everyone (if there’s anyone left reading ^^), sorry about the long and unexpected hiatus. It’s been a busy couple of months with the holidays and getting back into the groove, working every day. So here’s what’s going on:
Firstly, I started “attending” an iOS programming class from Stanford on iTunes U.
If you’re interested in iOS programming, I highly recommend it. It’s not necessarily for absolute beginners but if you’re a quick learner you could probably handle the work. We’ve been building a card game which is a constant progression, each assignment building upon the last:
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- 2-card match game
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- 3-card match game
On another topic, I’ve become increasingly interested in the idea of “free” software. As Richard Stallman would say “think free speech, not free beer.” Although, I’m still struggling with what degree to which I agree with the idea, the thought is fairly profound. Essentially, free software is software which ensures the freedom of the user to look at the source code, modify it if they wish, distribute it freely (modified or unmodified) and if they choose to distribute it, they must ensure these same freedoms. This is accomplished by using copyright law in an unorthodox manner referred to as “copyleft.” You can read all about it here. The main problem I have with it is in commercial distribution. For example, if you were to write a very nice program and put it up for sale as “free” software, extending to the users all of these freedoms… What would stop someone from deciding to sell your software, unchanged on their website for commercial profit and gain? You’d have to compete against your own product if that were the case. I suspect that the solution to this lies in modifying the distribution clause of the copyright to ensure that some form of compensation and/or permission is required to commercially redistribute the software.
Moving on…
I’ve also recently been thinking quite a bit about writing an operating system, possibly a Linux distribution to create and sell. It’s a HUGE project, I know, but I think I’ve got some pretty good ideas about how to make an OS that’s 1) fast, 2) user friendly (great UI) and 3) customizable. Up until tonight, however, this goal seemed really out of reach and I’d almost completely given up… that is until I found Linux From Scratch. It’s basically just what it says: a ‘How To’ for building your own Linux from scratch! It’s long and it’s sure to be difficult but I can’t wait to get started.
Lastly, I’m going to try to update the blog as much as I can, so keep checking in, especially if you see the link on Twitter or on Facebook. Things can get busy and of course everyone needs down time, but I’ll do my best to keep a weekly or bi-monthly schedule.
For now, I’m closing down the “Politics” section of the site, mostly because I don’t want to bite off more than I can chew right now. However, if anyone’s interested in it feel free to let me know through the comments, Twitter or Facebook.
Thanks for reading everyone and have a Happy Valentines Day!
Finally good to hear back from you man! Also, if you build an OS, I swear I’ll make the switch to Linux lol. I don’t have a doubt you’ll be able to do it dawg! Talk to you soon!