Open Source Directory 51
Anonymous Coward writes: "I saw this article on NewsForge. It looks like these guys are going to stop preaching to the converted & start showing off open source software to those who need showing of to." I usually figure that if it isn't in Debian unstable, I don't need it. :) But perhaps this site will be useful to people once it has some submissions.
Re:Praise the Gods: Taxonomy Reuse (Score:1)
Re:Amazing (Score:1)
any typos or other obvious errors in my post are due to the alcoholic nature of the blood flowing into my fingers.
A html writer's lament: br vs p tags (Score:1)
Why oh why did they have to use br to break each line of the paragraphs rather than simply enclosing the whole paragraphs in p tags?
The site looks like crap in Konqueror with a narrow window. Each paragraph has a full line and then a line with only one word and then a break.
Then there's the comment in the irc log:
danoo: Hell yeah! The new look is sweet, it renders fast
danoo: and it works on all browser/platform variations I
danoo: use! Thumbs up!
Sheesh.
Where is the 'Kernel' topic (Score:1)
The Free Software Directory has this data (Score:1)
Re:The Free Software Directory has this data (Score:1)
ESR (Score:1)
DOS is dead, and no one cares...
What would be really nice... (Score:1)
It would rock if people would stop making lists of Open Source/Free Software and start finding ways to convince people with money that there are ways to make more money using Open Source/Free software, so that we can use money instead of lists to fund development.
Making lists is fun, though, and probably passes the time.
¹"Debian unstable" is a contradiction (Score:1)
Perhaps that's why Slashdot seems to have horrendous response times
I don't think so. Many consider the `unstable' branch of Debian GNU/Linux to be more stable than a certain popular commercial Linux OS [redhat.com]. The `testing' branch is where the truly less-than-stable software resides.
Oh my god... (Score:1)
I'd love to put myself out of this misery, but my retinas just detached and I can't find my gun.
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Re:Who is their target audience? (Score:1)
Again, best of luck!
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Re:Who is their target audience? (Score:1)
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Re:1"Debian unstable" is a contradiction (Score:1)
... ok (Score:1)
Seriously, its the same SF code, 90% of the same layout. 99.9% less projects .... I am not impressed what so ever. So, if I setup a SF site, break the layout a little, give it a catchy name. Will I appear on /. as well ?
until (succeed) try { again(); }
Re:What would be really nice... (Score:1)
After investing some time learning Mandrake, I was able to get Apache serving some pages, but I was never able to figure out how to acquire, compile, and install programs.
The multi-user concept is fine and necessary, but there needs to be an easy, single user, distro that you can install in idiot mode. I shouldn't have to research the refresh rate of a monitor in order to install a consumer OS.
Re:What would be really nice... (Score:1)
Amazing!
Re:What would be really nice... (Score:1)
Re:ESR (Score:1)
-Spaceman
Re:Who is their target audience? (Score:1)
We feel our focus is much different than FM. The directory is just the first step.
Spelling mistakes?? We could have polished it up a bit more, but felt it important just to get the infrastructure up & running then go. We'll be fixing stuff like that now.
tHakn s, -Spaceman
Re:How is this gonna convert people? (Score:1)
2. The irc logs have done a pretty good job. A better faq will come out to answer emails & posts we're been answering personally.
3. That's not a windows bash per se. But many coming over from closed software pretty much leave windows. Fair Comment.
-Steve
Re:Praise the Gods: Taxonomy Reuse (Score:1)
Re:Debian unstable, eh? (Score:1)
Yeah that's debian's fault not apache, mysql, perl or the millions upon millions of
-1 Flamebait
But Freshmeat..... (Score:1)
But how open is open? - they don't seem to say what definition they are using! GPL only? (unlikely since they say open and not free), BSD? Various other "open" licences that may be subject to argument. And why would I want to look at a subset of the Freshmeat directory anyway? - I can ignore the non-free software if I am so biased. I beleive you can search by license on Freshmeat if you are so inclined.
Actually, I appreciate they may need time to sort these issues out, and perhaps this site will have value. Anyway, Galeon is driving me up the wall by jumping around the page while I type! Arrrghhh - is this fixed in Mozilla 0.8.1?? Maybe I should look it up in opensourcedirectory.org :-)
yerricde and iomud - you miss the point (Score:1)
Last Post! (Score:1)
Something that cought my eye. (Score:1)
Well I guess this site excludes gnome and the previously mentioned "Hello World" program from the list =)
A point if I may... (Score:1)
apt-get pr0n
no way (Score:1)
Re:This is Spaceman. (Score:2)
It also doesn't answer the question: how is Open-Source Directory anything more than a slightly less-Unix, slightly more-OSS, version of Freshmeat? No, they aren't the same, but I fail to see the significant difference. There is Windows software [freshmeat.net] on Freshmeat, and you can view just the Free software, if that's all you are interested in. I'm not worried about OSD dilluting Freshmeat -- mostly because I really don't see why someone would look on OSD instead of Freshmeat, or why someone would post their app there.
You could also push forward a well-organized directory of OSS under the Open Directory [dmoz.org]... then people would really be likely to see it, even if they didn't know to look for it.
Praise the Gods: Taxonomy Reuse (Score:2)
A while back, I started creating a list of software categorization schemes/systems relevent to Linuxland:
http://freshmeat.net/browse/627/ [freshmeat.net]
http://apps.kde.com/na/2/categories&nav=f [kde.com]
http://sourceforge.net/softwaremap/trove_list.php [sourceforge.net]
http://dmoz.org/Computers/Software/ [dmoz.org]
http://dir.yahoo.com/Computers_and_Internet/Softw
http://ftp.us.debian.org/debian/dists/potato/main
ftp://ftp.ibiblio.org/pub/Linux/ [ibiblio.org]
http://www.gnu.org/gnulist/production/index.html [gnu.org]
http://www.userfriendly.net/linux/RPM/Groups.html [userfriendly.net]
http://www.cpan.org/modules/by-category/ [cpan.org]
http://www.freebsd.org/ports/ [freebsd.org]
ftp://ftp.isi.edu/in-notes/iana/assignments/media
http://www.pathname.com/fhs/ [pathname.com]
http://www.labs.redhat.com/gug/users-guide/main-m
http://www.linux.com/links/Software/ [linux.com]
pre-announcements of garbage == news (Score:2)
Freshmeat isn't so great. The filtering and search interface is terrible--but it is there and the data is categorized properly. A site with a more flexible way of getting at it would be a major improvement. This new site doesn't improve on Freshmeat, though. Indeed, its interface for filtering a browse is identical.
All they're doing differently from Freshmeat, in fact, is not allowing entries for non-OSD-compliant software.
So let me get this straight: they're hoping to raise awareness of open-source software by publishing a directory that's just like Freshmeat, except that it's less useful thanks to a dogmatic editorial policy.
Whoops. Typo on the link. Here it is again... (Score:2)
Sorry..
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Re:Debian unstable, eh? (Score:2)
Directories like freshmeat, sourceforge and opensourcedirectory allow the software authors themselves to make announcements, upload updates, etc. And it makes it easier for Debian packagers to keep on top of things.
If TacoBoy only uses what's in Debian unstable, then he's missing out on a whole world of possibilities.
Now convince middle-managers it's good. (Score:2)
Note I say *small* business projects. I use OSS solutions when I can - it's less expensive for my clients (and usually more stable). The problem I run into is when working with mid-sized companies.
I have had proposals approved with the condition that I use a stable, mature and commercially supported development environment. They want VB or ASP over PHP and perl.
I know the arguement - it really doesn't matter, and the support *is* out there. Unfortunatly managers get it in their head that either: Microsoft==Quality (insert fav. commercial IDE).
I really don't have a problem with their requirements since I get paid either way. It's usually my customers who get stuck with license problems.
My point is, instead of making a directory to all the software - spend MORE ENERGY "selling" the idea to people where OSS doesn't have (m)any in roads currently.
This is something I still don't see much at all.
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Dependencies (Score:2)
One thing I would really like to see for OS projects is a dependency tracker (esp. when trying to compile from source). I don't know how many times I have been thwarted while trying to compile promissing code because the config script failed to find libxyz. After searching for an hour, I find the source to libxyz and find that it requires libqrs (and so on). Or, nearly as irritating, the original project page announces where to find libxyz, but its developers fail to document libxyz's dependencies.
I'm as bad as everyone else when it comes to documenting dependencies in my own code, but it would sure be nice if there was a convenient way to document and cross-reference this kind of stuff.
Bones? (Score:2)
THIS STORY IS NOW OFFICIALY CLOSED
Who do you think you are? Dem Bones [everything2.com] of E2 trying to close a "getting to know you" node [everything2.com]?
There _is_ a section for Wintendo apps (Score:2)
Why the needless Windows bashing? Is it that impossible to think that people can develop open source programs for Windows???
Except there's a section [opensourcedirectory.org] on that directory dedicated to apps that run on MS-DOS and/or Microsoft Windows.
No, dmoz is not Free documentation (Score:2)
isn't dmoz.org's software open? I know its content is.
dmoz's content is NOT free documentation [gnu.org] because its license restricts your freedom to redistribute an older snapshot of the directory.
Link to the 'Kernel' topic (Score:2)
Where is the 'Kernel' topic? I find it very strange that there is no place to put the Linux kernel, or MACH for that matter.
The "Operating System Kernels" category in the directory is right HERE [opensourcedirectory.org], waiting for OpenBSD's audited kernel and a Linux kernel stripped of experimental features to be added.
It's about time (Score:2)
Maybe more should get into mainstream commercials and advertising. SGI, IBM, and RedHat are the only ones I've seen in the mainstream.
Spend less time trying to convince those who are already here and more on showing the non-geeks the benefits.
DanH
Cav Pilot's Reference Page [cavalrypilot.com]
Debian unstable, eh? (Score:2)
Perhaps that's why Slashdot seems to have horrendous response times every once in a while.
Re:Now convince middle-managers it's good. (Score:2)
Commercially supported, I can almost agree with. But "stable" and "mature"? Perl has YEARS on VBScript - probably VB itself for that matter, but I don't go back that far in VB or Perl history. PHP's earliest incarnation was out and running before MS even had a webserver, if memory serves me correctly.
Again, the commercially supported aspect almost makes sense. But if that's the main hold up, use IBM - they are getting behind open source projects, and no doubt offer support services. And I think IBM is a bit more 'stable' and 'mature' than MS.
Creative spellings are a no-no (Score:2)
Its "Windows", not "Windoze" or any other of the hundreds of creative offerings out there. Same as its "Microsoft" or "MS" and not "Microshaft", "Micro$oft" or "M$".
For gods sake, read this section [datasync.com] in the Linux Advocacy HOWTO [datasync.com] and apply what it says.
If we're going to advocate Linux, lets do it properly and not look like a bunch of 10 year old illiterate children. Stupid stuff like the above is more likely to do more harm than good.
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Re:Who is their target audience? (Score:3)
How is this gonna convert people? (Score:3)
2nd - why they are different than freshmeat - I'm sure uncomprehendable IRC logs will give people the info.
3rd - Why the needless Windows bashing? Is it that impossible to think that people can develop open source programs for Windows???
thoughts (Score:3)
My main impression is that the site looks very unprofessional -- poor grammar, and weird random placement of paragraphs, but beyond that, the "Why we are not Freshmeat" section isn't an explaination, but looks like an IRC log where someone just bursts in on an adminstrative discussion and without explaining what they're looking for starts asking random annoying questions.
Their definition of "open" (Score:3)
But how open is open? - they don't seem to say what definition they are using!
Or do they? I looked in the site dics and found that OSD's definition of open source [opensourcedirectory.org] is any software under a license approved by the Open Source Initiative [opensource.org], from free GPL2, BSD2, X11, and Clarified Artistic [appwatch.com] to flawed QPL, BSD1, and Python 1.6 to too-vague-to-be-free Original Artistic. (Sources: free [gnu.org] | open [opensource.org])
This is Spaceman. (Score:3)
We've been extremely careful to make sure we didn't fork something. Everyone, especially at SF, has been very helpful and supportive of OpenSourceDirectory.org
Cheers from the Great White North,
Steve Mallett
Use dmoz maybe... (Score:4)
isn't dmoz.org [dzmos.org]'s software open? I know its content is.
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Who is their target audience? (Score:4)
It would seem to me that it's at least partially aimed toward businesses. It would appear that way since they want to want to "present a place for developers and endusers to find information about STABLE Open-Source products" [opensourcedirectory.org]. I wish them well, though they need to clean up their spelling mistakes [opensourcedirectory.org] and not post IRC logs as an explanation for what they do [opensourcedirectory.org]. This has the potential to be really great; many times I'll see an interesting app on Freshmeat [freshmeat.net], but it's not Free. Don't get me wrong, non-Free software has its place, but this ought to be nice, to have a place where you can go to search only stable, Free software. (Konqueror fills an important gap on the Free/Open Source side of things... all the pieces are falling into place now.)
Good luck guys, and please take this for the constructive criticism that it's intended as.
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Seems pretty un-polished.. (Score:5)
If this proposes to be the hub of stable, polished software, then the site itself should reflect that desired level of quality. Right now it looks like the home page for a shareware app.