skysight-inc/HackerNews huggingface dataset:
He is pretty explicit an unapologetic in the comments.

"Robert Scoble Says: March 21st, 2009 at 7:05 pm
Leo: you are particularly clueless if you think what I just laid out for you is spam. Advertising is NOT spam. A LOT of people actually LIKE seeing advertising."

"Robert Scoble Says: March 21st, 2009 at 7:25 pm
Will: I disagree. I know a LOT of people who enjoy being marketed to. Here’s a hint: they love going to the mall."

I was a bit over the top in characterizing it (eg, he does admit to knowing people who want stuff shoved at them), but these are his own words. Later on he adds some sops like "Zuckerberg told me he'll add filtering", but it's totally an afterthought.

Scoble is quite seriously telling Facebook to create its own reality over the opinions of the entire world. The potential profits are beside the point, at least for me. He's advocating a sad and ugly attitude.
look on forums, let's say on slicehost: many people uses both of them, there are lots of comments there.
Andrew -- I was in and out in about 10 seconds.

You've been staring at the webpage for weeks or months now -- and you get exactly what's going on. But nobody else does. (Or at least the slow-minded amongst us, including me.)

You may have the most wonderful service in the world, but if you cannot quickly convey the benefit that you offer me in 10 seconds, you've lost a potential customer -- and probably one that was difficult to get to your site in the first place.

Personally, I will spend weeks crafting and re-crafting my site's message. And when I think I'm done, I'm still tuning it based on feedback.

This continues to be the weakest link with most new sites I see.

Best of luck with the project -- I truly hope you find amazing success with it!
Pay $50k.
GMail is not built with GWT (and to my knowledge, no major project at Google is).
AND 2x demo day AND YC alum network (tapping people on shoulders to try and get introductions to others you need) AND instant coverage by many blogs AND idea pre-validation if you try to pitch later.

... just saying. I'm applying next round and for me, the money is low on the list of what I like about the YC prospect. It's a nice thing to have don't get me wrong, but it's really one of the smaller pieces of the pie in my opinion.
That's because the LGPL is only meant for very specific situations were licensing under the GPL would hurt the free software movement. This is hardly the ever the case (a notable exception would be a high quality library) and thus the encouragement for the GPL.
Apart from the political squabbling, the feasibility of implementing something that "detects" JavaScript released under a free-as-in-freedom license seems tricky and error prone.

The suggestion in the article that you put a license delimiter and then parse the text of the license seems error prone; not because the license is particular difficult text to parse, but because text parsing in general is a rather fussy and fragile enterprise. And someone could put after the licensing tag "Just kidding, here's the real license..." which the parser wouldn't catch, but someone litigating a case of copyright infringement would.

Maybe I'm not being imaginative enough, but I can't think of a way this is feasible with just the client attempting to glean licensing on its own.

Having a global registry of free JavaScripts wouldn't solve the problem, either. Assuring correct URL parsing in every case is a risky thing to rely on for such restrictive behavior, and nothing stops the web site owner from renaming the free script to something else, or renaming one of his non-free scripts to the same name as the free script. Verifying file hashes wouldn't really help, since the free script is allowed to be modified.

Regardless of the political ramifications, the feasibility of this seems really questionable. Are there ways of doing this I am not realizing?
Sorry, I made a leap there and you misunderstood me.

What good is free javascript in a web application where a significant portion of the code lives on the server?

The fundamental issue of software freedom is trivial when you are running software locally. I'm running this software locally, and I want to be free to do with it as I will.

However web application software has the local component (JS) and the server component. The software that is running on the server is clearly not being run by the end user and therefore the notion of freedom is not so clear. Sure, we can make it "free" by releasing the source of the server code, but setting up a server may be non-trivial. Or it may be useless without the data from the service. Maybe the user's data could be released, or maybe it's intertwined with other user's data.

The point is, I care very much about freedom of software in general, but having free javascript by itself is essentially useless to me in the vast majority of cases.
Facebook and the downsides of software as a service
Never heard of snipt, but having just taken a look I have to say it does, at a first glance.

Snipt seems to be a more general code-snippet site, though whereas commandline-fu focuses solely on the command line.

While we're off on a mild tangent, check out dotfiles.org for collections of some cool unix rc files. It complements commandline-fu nicely.
Thanks a lot, simonk, I will look into this idea.

ps/ I didnt intend to "spam", really. It's just an attempt to get feedback from the community I highly respect and value. Anyway, point taken, thanks! :)
1. Pop-up right away = bad/annoying.
2. Having a bookmark/share box on the pop-up where the reflexive [x] should be (to close the damn pop-op = even worse.
3. After I finally figure out how to close the damn pop-up (by clicking 'try demo') what happens? ANOTHER DAMN POP-UP.

Now for the good news:

4. The actual app is damn marvelous. It is a great idea and the execution is good.

Here is what you have to understand though: 1000 people hitting your site will make a .5 second decision whether or not to stay. In that critical time you need to portray what you guys actually do QUICKLY! Slices of screen shots. Etc..
Check out freshbooks.com, (my employer) right off the bat what do you see?

"The Fastest Way To Track Time and Invoice Your Clients"
"Send Invoices and Estimates Online"
"Web Based Time Tracking"
All with screen shots of the actual app and a giant toll free number, that inspires confidence in our longevity.

You should do the same with your service.
"Professional, EASY, resumes and CVs in seconds"
"We help you get to the interview, the rest is all you!"

Something like that. Polish (er... scrap and start over with) your splash page and you will have one solid product.

Best of luck

Edit:

You should also get a copy writer to start filling your blog with some actual useful content, unless you think you will have the time/will power to do it your self.

Right now it looks like you guys are just starting up (which is fine) but you should definitely hire someone to keep that blog roll going, or you are going to look stale. I know some good (University Educated) copy writers that could easily help you out there. The important thing to remember with a corporate blog is that absolutely no more than 20% of your content should be about your site. The other 80% should be useful (and original) articles that have to do with something relating to your service. "How to find companies with a good corporate atmosphere" "Crossing the t's on your resume" "The interviewer says 'come casual', but do they mean it?"

Hope this helps!
The footer, that was there before the redesign, has always been my favourite part. The big colourful icons standout.
There's a disturbing lack of understanding in this community about free software, the GPL and other licences, and RMS himself. Of course Stallman is an extremist. Every leader of such a movement by definition must be an extremist, even if it makes them look foolish. The ACLU for example takes cases that make them look like a joke, but they are forced to because they must exhibit unwavering believe in their ideals. As the leader of the free software movement, RMS must act in the way that he does.

And as for the commercial viability of open source software, consider 37signals. Their entire tool set (Rails) is open source, and they make millions. Keeping Rails closed source was not necessary for their success. When you pay for a 37signals app you pay for their reputation and quality. If someone else made the same application a year earlier, it wouldn't sell nearly as well. Saying that you need to keep your software closed source is overvaluing the software. That's only a small piece of what makes a successful product. Hell, 37signals probably could open source Basecamp today and they would still make millions.
I understand and other people do it to. Just having a few karma points and comments elsewhere make people feel your here for more than to promote your business.

Also 3 pop-ups before I even get to the site?
"If the source was available, copy cats competitors could spring up and take away market share."

Image-editing algorithms are published in text-books. Graphics API for the web (flash, java, canvas, etc.) are published in API documentation. Nothing is secret. If someone copies your GPLed Free software and improves on it you can go and copy the improved version if you want it.

If a competitor is blindly copying you, you probably have nothing to worry about (should I elaborate?.) And if your competitive edge can be taken away with cut-and-paste, then you have ALLOT to worry about.
Free Blackberry Software
I´ve created list of my favorite free software that will get the most of your blackberry without ever opening your wallet. Below you can find free blackberry software list.
If nothing else, Stallman serves as a constant reminder that we should consider the extremes -- both free, and what would happen should freedom disappear -- in order to keep a realistic perspective.
Anybody who dares call herself or himself a hacker should respect RMS. The name calling on this page is disgusting.

You don't know the guy, you don't have any thing on him. He doesn't force anybody to use his licenses. He is just warning users of a proprietary software trap, that's all. If you happen to serve this kind of website it's stupid to just get into the name calling and instead perhaps state clearly your JavaScript isn't free software. Add a license, you need it anyway to cover yourself.
The only hint is on the main page: please "bare" with us.
Why is this on the first page? Flagging it for lack of value. I really don't care if Vivek Kundra stole shirts or if Obama smoked weed. Lately I have been flagging more stories than up-voting, there is something wrong going on here.
Groceries are (usually) free, meaning if you buy an apple, you're legally allowed to use it to grow yourself an apple tree.

I assume you didn't mean free in some other way, right?
Redcar is cool, but I still can’t use Linux
Wow: a lot of people really have some dislike for this book. Not surprising, since Hacker News emphasizes the code-obsessed mind.

I'm not somebody who lives in the world of programming, and this is the only guide to coding that I've ever read and learned from. _why phrases things in ways that make their concepts easy to grasp and he makes for a compelling read. People who insult that or call it drugged-up miss that he's not writing a technical guide. He's writing a poignant guide, and that means that the larger goal is getting people really emotionally invested in the language. You learn the bare minimum to the language, which is enough so that then you can go on and find technical manuals, understanding enough to not be instantly turned away.

I hate tech manuals. I use a few reference books, but I can't pick up a "Guide To X Language" and get very much from it. A guide that makes coding fun is exactly what I need.
The last 9/10 blog posts on FreshBooks are about FreshBooks?
Distinct syntax creates a personality, similar to how haikus read differently from sestinas. The form is the function is the attitude is the personality. They're one and the same.
Advertising On Myspace
Advertising on MySpace can be effective as long as it is done correctly and not in a way that is viewed as spam. The effectiveness of MySpace stems from amount of users who are currently using MySpace.
You are talking about Section 3 of the LGPL? IANAL, but this section seems pretty logically simple to me, and I think you are misreading it. If you read the terms, you are required to do either of the following:

* a) Give prominent notice with each copy of the object code that the Library is
used in it and that the Library and its use are covered by this License.
* b) Accompany the object code with a copy of the GNU GPL and this license document.

How is needing to provide a mention of the LGPL'ed libraries and the fact that they are LGPL'ed in any way screwing you? You also have to provide a copy of the GPL and LGPL amended your own legalese. You are not required to distribute the source for the library, nor the source of your own application. I've seen several large commercial applications make mention of included libraries, some under the LGPL, and it has never bothered me, nor anyone else who purchased it.

I understand that you want to be able to charge money for the software you write, but that you seem to perceive the LGPL as a threat to this ability seems excessively fear-mongery. I agree that anyone concerned about licensing terms should consult an attorney, but because you want to understand things better, not because you are fearful of software development turning socialist.
_why isn't writing a technical book, though. He's writing a fun book that introduces people to a coding language.
It's a decision that should be up to the author. And I personally have complete respect for both decisions.
Also, check out the amazing documentary about libertarianism/government/game theory by the same guy who did the posted video, The Trap: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-142285137762134414&...
Poll: Where are you from?
This site has many entrepreneurs which is what attracted me to it in the first place. But I feel that there's an important difference between the start-ups done by many here and by me and a friend: we're doing it in Delft, The Netherlands.

So, I wondered, are all of you from the USA or is this place much more international than I think it is?
I'm hoping Jason and crew write a blog article describing what they changed (and why). Would make for some great reading.
Hmm indeed, from that angle it makes more sense. I guess I skimmed it a bit too lightly. But I'm still not overly impressed by the article as this is really just stating the obvious - basically a rehash of the standard cloud-propaganda that has been raining down on us for years.

Nonetheless I take back my "nonsense" statement. That was too quick a judgement...
edited: oops, i think you just added Oceania.
Paying is usually more convenient. Convenience is worth money.
Stallman surely realizes that minifying JavaScript is a standard process, but it doesn't seem particularly relevant to his point. First, it not straightforward to determine the licensing for many scripts, and second it does not provide access to an unobfuscated copy of the source. In no way does he ask for JavaScript to be served without minification, but rather he asks that minified JS contain a pointer to a non-minified copy. Doing so doesn't create an additional cost for the site owner, beyond possibly requiring an extra step in a build script.

I think you are pushing two distinct movements into the same
box: the free software movement championed by Stallman, and the "get users first, monetize later" euphoria of the "Web 2.0" movement. The first group is pursuing a moral agenda; the second believes that it is a legitimate route to wealth. Much of what you are blaming Stallman for seems better directed at the second movement or at open source developers (who are often a very different breed than Stallman, and who--in my experience--tend to hate the GPL as an unnecessarily restrictive license).

I also find your example of iPhone and Facebook applications as somewhat problematic. These platforms are ghettos where developers are dependent on the capricious rules and regulations provided by the owners. This is hard to ignore when you see traffic to applications dropping by a reported 50% after the latest redesign for Facebook, and also when independent apps like Podcaster (err, whatever the name was) barred from the AppStore because it competed with functionality that Apple's own apps provided. Opportunity abounds in both, but there are many many losers in both as well. The real winner in both these situations is Apple and Facebook. Asking forgiveness from Marx, when possible it is always best to be the landlord.

My second to last point in this unfortunately disconnected response is that neither Stallman nor Web 2.0 have ever been the "guard". Both are and have always been fringe movements. The "guard" has always been large companies selling software to other large companies and making tremendous sums of money while doing so.

Finally, people do get paid for open source contributions. It isn't straight forward, and the correlation between time spent and money returned is not predictable in the same way it is for an hourly consultant gig, but there is always money there for people who grasp it.
First...discussion thread here:
http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=527500

Second, the account you posted with has had 1 karma for 147 days. A rant should not be the first thing that you share with this community.
WeFollow - FreeFollow - It's Poetry Time
Yeah, I did. Forgot that one, but remembered it on review :-)
It's incoherent rambling. Extremism. There is no trap. No end users care.

What average user of a webapp even understands what a software license is? Why would they care either way if they can see comments in the javascript or not??

Obviously you need to make clear if your javascript is open source or not, and both should be respected decisions.

I think the majority just care if something solves their problem, rather than if its open source or not.
Linux doesn't beat windows because it's open source, it beats it because it works far better.

One of the reasons it works better just happens to be because it's open source, which enables far more people to contribute than otherwise etc etc.

Are people seriously going to stop using webapps that don't provide their source code unobfuscated? Of course not.
So many font types, font sizes, font weights, colors... Too messy for me... Maybe I am too Swiss... ;)
Respects.

But allow me to add that the great majority of web startups are running on the value of a "social network". Remove the users and the service is worth nothing. You can't say that about shrink-wrap software; even if the great majority of the people don't use it, there is that one or two lucrative corporate or government contract to make it all worthwhile.

So in that light, shouldn't the users of web apps be entitled to something a little more than "free use"? Say, a little assurance that the platform they trust so much of their private lives is transparent, extensible, and should the company sink tomorrow, available for replication?

What happens when you strike it rich, sell the startup to a Mega Corp and move to Tahiti? The users will be at the mercy of greedy suits who will fill data warehouses with every click, persona and profile of your users, the very same people who made you rich.
As a longtime user of Fabchannel, I'm disappointed by all this. The future looks bleak for labels unwilling to embrace what their real customers, music fans, want. Instead of turning to fear and taking defensive measures, they should be taking advantage of the changing times.

Related: http://muxtape.com/story
zope+grok ... +100
and zodb is way ahead of time, if you didnt try it you really should.
Please add some line breaks in that quoted text.
If, as you say, LGPL, is clear to you, what do you think "object code" refers to in the (b) clause you just quoted? How are the "ten lines" counted in the paragraph above (you didn't quote): separately or total? etc. etc.
Making food production more polluting per acre can be more environmentally friendly as long as it raises food production per acre by a greater factor.

Say that using a pesticide means that farming causes twice as much pollution per acre, but four times as much food per acre. That means you can feed people with a quarter of the land, and therefore half the pollution. The real numbers aren't so simple, but the principle still applies. This focus on local organic food sounds driven more by warm fuzzy feelings than by reality.
Thanks a lot for your feedback, 3pt14159! Very practical advice, I would definitely start working on a new, better "selling" landing page. The idea of hiring someone to help with a blog is also good, however I think it might be costly for me at the moment... If you don't mind me asking, how much those guys charge? I understand there is a huge difference if I give my text to proof-read or order original content... Maybe some rough figure... Thanks!
Smart People Really Do Think Faster.
Obfuscation adds an inconvenience barrier: you get the code for free (of course, because you can't be stopped), but you don't get nice, maintainable, well-written code for free.
Sometimes having nothing to lose can be a real advantage for a startup
I think robotics is in a lull, and will be for a few years. This of those out there (pleo, roomba, packbot, kiva, anybots), and you'll find they are all "dumb". Interesting physical intelligence like BigDog isn't really a product.

It will be a few years before any intelligent robots come out. 6-10 years is a good time frame to start a robotics business.
"Well this seemed a good example of a someone famous, having a cult(-like) following, who has been accused of not conforming just for the sake of it. Maybe the cult got to Feynman in the end."

I've known a number of people who've been accused of not conforming just for the sake of it. I don't think any had a cult following; it was just their nature. That seems to have been the case with Feynman, not an affectation because of fame. (Of course, I know of Feynman mostly through his own writings ...)

People have their quirks. Feynman rocks no matter what. The world could use more pranksters and skeptics.
Dogfooding: put yourself in the baggage handler’s shoes
He's already accomplished a very great deal, exactly by doing things in the way you say will prevent him from accomplishing anything. Of course, you may believe that this is incidental.
No, you just think you block ads. It's extremely naive to think you actually block all ads. I'm sure a lot of people have made money out of you online from advertising you don't recognize as advertising.

edit: Sure, downvote me if you like. If you like to think adblock etc actually block all adverts I guess it's up to you. It blocks a small class of 'obvious adverts'. Several websites will pass outgoing links through a jump script which may or may not then go through affiliate links. Adblock is useless against such things. There are several such examples.
No offense taken at all. This sort of feedback is exactly why I post releases to HN, so thanks.
Arab world.
I learned when a teenager that you need to make sure the power is OFF! OFF! OFF! before messing with high-voltage, high-current circuits. I saw a large screwdriver shaft blown in half when my father thought the power was cut. I have managed to avoid getting any significant shocks in the thirty years since.
They have a few posts related to this (also posted to HN, if I recall):

http://www.37signals.com/svn/posts/1582-design-in-progress-c...

http://www.37signals.com/svn/posts/1622-design-in-progress-p...

http://www.37signals.com/svn/images/37s-preview-b3faa2088b4e...

I'm surprised this made it to the top of HN, though. This is all really old news to me, and I wouldn't consider myself a 37signals fanboy.
jumping from making fire to nuclear weapons is a fairly large leap. how about stuff like concrete, iron/steel, or medicine?