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Today FUTO released an application called Grayjay for Android-based mobile phones. Louis Rossmann introduced the application in a video (YouTube link). Grayjay as an application is very promising, but there is one point I take issue with: Grayjay is not an Open Source application. In the video Louis explains his reason behind the custom license, and while I do agree with his reason, I strong disagree with his method. In this post I will explain what Open Source means, how Grayjay does not meet the criteria, why this is an issue, and how it can be solved.

  • Th4tGuyII
    34•1 year ago

    One can certainly argue it’s not “open source” so much as “source available”, but I don’t think it’s that controversial.

    They’re providing a product, and obviously don’t want other people slapping their name on it and selling what they worked hard to make. Their license makes it easier for them to enforce that.

    They also obviously don’t want people creating malicious forks of their program, like what keeps happening with NewPipe. So their license also makes it easier for them to enforce that.

    If you want to encourage more companies to make their source code available, then maybe we shouldn’t shit on those that are.

    Plus, per Rossman’s own words, you don’t even have to buy Grayjay for it to work, it’ll just ask you, ala Winrar. Give them a break.

    • @rglullis@communick.newsOP
      17•1 year ago

      One can certainly argue it’s not “open source” so much as “source available”.

      That’s the whole argument. It can be a very nice and useful product, but just don’t say “it’s open source”

      • Th4tGuyII
        9•1 year ago

        If you read into the blog post this links to, you’ll find that is only the opening argument, not the whole argument as you say.

        My first paragraph reacts to that… and to be honest, I’m still going to say isn’t that controversial.

        When most people think of Open Source, they’re not thinking about the OSL, they’re thinking colloquially (as in the source being open to the public). I suspect he was using that wording colloquially as well - whether that was a slip up or intentional, I don’t know, but considering he goes out of his way to let us know about the way Grayjay’s licensing works, I don’t think he’s trying to hide anything by it.

        The rest of what I said afterwards was my first reaction towards the rest of the blog, and I stand by it.