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.

    • @dingleberry@discuss.tchncs.de
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      9 months ago

      Grayjay is a platform that allows users to view YouTube alongside paid content like Patreon, or even live platforms like Twitch.

      So I guess one more middleman between content and consumer.

      Edit: their website loaded after 5 mins

      So they are like: “don’t open twitch. open our website, it’s literally the same thing”. A super-app for video streaming? Who asked for this, and why?

    • @sanzky@beehaw.org
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      39 months ago

      I dont think it is only about this app. it is mostly about how the concept of Open Source has been redefined. Sometimes it feels like “source code is available” the same as Open Source (the code is there open, for you to see ,right?).

      • @madkarlsson@beehaw.org
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        09 months ago

        Imo it’s not been redefined at all. People are just pushing the boundaries of what it means and creating absolutist views on what it should mean. There is a space for that sure, but shaming companies that define where their own boundaries are is not the way of it.

        If we do that, you are challenging what software freedom actually is if you ask me