Oops, posted that without a subject and on a new thread... here you are: On Fri, Jul 4, 2008 at 10:53 AM, Dave Crossland <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> 2008/7/4 simon <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>: > > Ben's suggestion to allow the people to choose their RIA flavour whether > it > > be AIR, gears or whatever is very sensible. > > > > Surely the main thing is that a good idea gets built. > > Surely the main thing is that we preserve our freedom to understand > and share the software we use to do our computation. > > Using software running on other people's servers to do _our_ > computation also tramples our freedom, and this is becoming more > common with RIA technology. > > "If your software would keep us divided and helpless, please don't > write it. We are better off without it. We will find other ways to use > our computers, and preserve our freedom." > - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7487060.stm > > Cheers, > Dave > Personal opinion only. > <bit of a rant> This software by Adobe that makes it easier to deploy cross-platform, desktop apps, and to use AJAX, HTML, Flash, and have it running offline/online - and these skills would be useful in other situations too - seems cool. In regard to the.. discussion that this competition thread has become - this is the double edged sword when such an organisation as the BBC gets involved. Because they are open, friendly and quite frankly damn good I think at letting other people fudge around with their stuff - and listening back too, it is such an understated forum for expression of creative ideas and technological solutions. But as it's publically funded, this gets pushed aside with facts and figures of 'openness' and 'fair' use of 'free' software. Also, the subject of 'free' software alone could fill entire libraries with [philosophical discussion|rants|arguments|insults|etc] - but is this why we are here? I'm here to have fun and to maybe try out some new things, and to read interesting points of view on technology and the BBC. This competition idea introduces a viable, probably robust option, that finally allows multiple platforms to converse and use an app. It might be something people can dig their teeth into, have a bit of fun with, and maybe even god forbid make something useful that people can actually use? Or should we insist that Windows is wrong, Flash is evil and anyone that says otherwise is an idiot? Well call me an idiot, but I love what Flash brought to the table many years ago with it's easy to use scripting and tools, and I actually *enjoy* using Windows on my PC. Hell, I even use Windows Media Player. It may surprise you that I sometimes watch BBC TV and listen to the radio, too... </bit of a rant> Please enjoy the freedom to discuss and have a point of view, but it sometimes gets a little ridiculous.
