[kwlug-disc] I hereby OSS my business idea

[Khalid Baheyeldin]

This fork is mainly not about Google.

Google has some proprietary stuff, but it is at the applications level, such
as Gmail, Calendar, Contacts, ...etc.

It is mainly about proprietary hardware drivers.

They say on their site: http://replicant.us/about/

"However, there are numerous components of the default software stack
on the HTC phones that are proprietary software. Most notably, nearly
any component that touches the hardware directly is proprietary software."

And http://replicant.us/faq/

"In addition to the dispensable “Google Experience” applications, such as
GMail and Google Maps, these components include several libraries and
drivers necessary for interfacing with the phone’s hardware. "

Note the "dispensable" part.

So it is mostly like the FSF version of Ubuntu (forget what its name was)
where WiFi and graphics drivers are all open.

On Thu, Oct 7, 2010 at 10:26 AM, Andrew Sullivan Cant <
acant at alumni.uwaterloo.ca> wrote:

> There is a fork of android that is supposed to be trying to remove/replace
> and of the software which is not freedom-respecting call 'Replicant'
>
> http://replicant.us/
>
> Could be an interesting alternative for anyone who is worried about Google.
>
> Still looks pretty new, and I am not sure how far along they really are.
>
> Andrew
>
>
>
> On 05/10/10 08:30 PM, Insurance Squared Inc. wrote:
>
>> Android's got a connection to Google I think, which makes me all
>> twitchy.  I've got googlephobia. But if Sony brings out a table, I'm in
>> for one for sure.
>>
>> On 05/10/10 08:25 PM, Khalid Baheyeldin wrote:
>>
>>> On Tue, Oct 5, 2010 at 8:15 PM, Insurance Squared Inc.
>>> <gcooke at insurancesquared.com <mailto:gcooke at insurancesquared.com>>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>    I mentioned before on the list that I'd like to see a linux
>>>    version of the ipad/slate/sony tablet/whatever. I think one of you
>>>    folks should find a hardware manufacturer to build one that's full
>>>    of open components, create an online marketplace like apple has
>>>    (to sell apps, or just make them available for a small download
>>>    fee) then go on the dragon's den to get some cash to build it all.
>>>
>>>    I'd do it, but I'm too busy. You should do it because I want an
>>>    OSS tablet computer. that's a good reason right?
>>>
>>>
>>> Already happened, or on its way.
>>>
>>> The operating system is called Android (yes, Linux based).
>>>
>>> The store is called Android Market. You can browse it using a more
>>> friendly interface than Google's at this site http://androlib.com/ or
>>> this one http://www.cyrket.com/
>>> Skype just added their app to the Market today. There are many thousands
>>> of apps in there.
>>>
>>> There are even other independent markets, e.g. http://slideme.org/
>>>
>>> The hardware is on its way, from Samsung (Galaxy Tab), Dell (Streak),
>>> and others.
>>>
>>> What Apple has going for it, from a business point of view, is that they
>>> control the entire stack (hardware, operating system, and store), and
>>> they control the quality of apps more than others. They also have less
>>> variants of hardware/operating systems, where as the Android devices
>>> are made by many vendors, and each has their own features, quirks,
>>> extensions to the O.S., ..etc.
>>>
>>> I use an Android phone, and love the ecosystem.
>>> --
>>> Khalid M. Baheyeldin
>>> 2bits.com <http://2bits.com>, Inc.
>>>
>>> http://2bits.com
>>> Drupal optimization, development, customization and consulting.
>>> Simplicity is prerequisite for reliability. -- Edsger W.Dijkstra
>>> Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. -- Leonardo da Vinci
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
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>>> kwlug-disc_kwlug.org at kwlug.org
>>> http://astoria.ccjclearline.com/mailman/listinfo/kwlug-disc_kwlug.org
>>>
>>>
>> --
>> Glenn Cooke
>> Insurance Squared Inc.
>> (866) 779-1499
>> www.insurancesquared.com
>>
>> Insurance Agent Discussion Forum:
>> www.americaninsurancebroker.com
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
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>>
>
>
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>



-- 
Khalid M. Baheyeldin
2bits.com, Inc.
http://2bits.com
Drupal optimization, development, customization and consulting.
Simplicity is prerequisite for reliability. --  Edsger W.Dijkstra
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. --   Leonardo da Vinci
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