2 comments Here’s a quick script for reading a data file containing serialized data generated by PHP, and outputting it in a human readable format to a Linux command line interface. A short web search found no existing utilities for achieving this, so hopefully it will be useful.… Read the rest
1 comment Inside the historic pyramid building in Central Tirana (more recently museum to the nation’s life-long dictator), I concluded my speech on economic challenges to Open Source companies, and raised my eyes from the notes on my tablet to see a sea of hands.… Read the rest
0 comments Ahead of the upcoming panel discussion ‘Building an open source business‘ at FOSS Backstage run by Jos Poortvliet and I, it’s useful to review the commercial models most commonly applied by Open Source projects. These can provide a framework of understanding and common vocabulary to facilitate effective debate.… Read the rest
2 comments Update (March 7th): Google Home devices can now make free UK calls
This Christmas an elderly relative has requested the gift of hands-free, voice-activated calling via a home virtual assistant. Much has been written about Amazon’s Echo and Google Home, and the tech press are awash with conflicting information and feature speculation.… Read the rest
0 comments What are the unique challenges and opportunities for businesses which sell Free Software as a service? This was the question that I tackled in a presentation at the Chaos Computer Club Congress this month. Following a period of reflection on the economics of different Open Source business models, and which requires the lowest risk with the highest chance of success, I wrote this talk and spoke in Hamburg on December 28th.… Read the rest
