all things computed

The content housed at one of my other sites, bytemason.org, has been migrated to this site. This reduces the amount of overhead for site maintenance and also provides a single point for both my professional and volunteer activities.

This is a list of Debian packages I help maintain. This makes it easy for my Application Manager to track and critique my activity, if needed.

Learning GNU Emacs, 3rd Edition
Debra Cameron, James Elliott, Marc Loy, Eric Raymond & Bill Rosenblatt
http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/gnu3/

Read it on Slashdot

It is a fairly safe assumption that people who are thinking of learning GNU Emacs or improving their Emacs skills are motivated. These people probably know their way around a command prompt, and it is likely that they are aware that Lisp is more than just a speech impediment. This person needs a book that offers expert advice without wasting time or insulting the intelligence of the reader. Learning GNU Emacs, 3rd Edition is that book.

Introduction

I am asked from time to time about how I became interested in and involved with Free/Open Source Software (F/OSS). This question comes from all sorts of people, ranging from those who think I am crazy to "work for free" to my fellow companions in the F/OSS community. This is the story of how and why I became involved in F/OSS.

I am currently an applicant in the Debian New Maintainer process. One part of the process involves an evaluation of whether or not you are currently contributing to Debian. Since most of my activity is in the Debian Java Maintainers Project, I can see how perhaps it might not be too easy to see my contributions. The purpose of this page is to provide a succinct summary of my activity in the Debian GNU/Linux project and community, primarily for the convenience of those working with me during the Debian New Maintainer process.

Understanding Open Source & Free Software Licensing
Andrew M. St. Laurent
http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/osfreesoft/

Read it on Slashdot

When sharing with others that I was reviewing an O'Reilly book through their User Group & Professional Association Program, the first question was always the same: "What book are you reviewing?" After saying the title was "Understanding Open Source & Free Software Licensing", responses ranged from "What's that?" to "Well, you won't have any trouble sleeping!" One might think that this list of people included relatives and coworkers who were not attuned to the open source community and its issues. On the contrary, the responses came from those within my circle of acquaintances that include software developers, system administrators, and even an intellectual property lawyer. Licensing is not exactly the sort of topic where people slide forward in their seats and ask to be told more. Such is the appeal of software licensing; however, the importance of understanding licensing, particularly within the context of open source development, cannot be overstated.