Just a quick update on the akoria project for you "true believers" out there...

While I've actually done a good deal of work on the project, including screenshots, mockups, architectures, and even some code, there's a hitch. My employer is currently considering whether or not to allow employees to contribute to open source projects. I'm certain that every large corporation either has already dealt with this issue or will deal with this issue in the next few years - we're no different.

Until a final decision has been made, I have decided to hold back from releasing any further work. I have no desire to violate my employment agreement, and I am very supportive of my employer - even if I don't necessarily agree with all of our policies.

Once a decision has been made, I will either release the material I have developed or turn the project over to another developer and project manager. Stay tuned!

Well, I wandered over to GMail Swap, and posted a swap request, in order to obtain an invitation to join GMail. (For those of you who aren't familiar here's a little insight on what I'm talking about: GMail is a free webmail service from Google that offers one gigabyte of storage, a novel interface and sorting system, and cool Google-like features. Since GMail is still a beta service, it is only open to a small number of beta users invitated to participate. Getting an invitation can be difficult, and therefore having a gmail.com account imbues the owner with a level of geek status. GMail Swap is site that allows users to exchange GMail invitations for services, thoughts, products, etc. - anything unique and obscure, but still valuable.) I offered to review a resume or document in exchange for an invitation.

Apparently, I chose wisely in what I offered. There are 3500 requests on the system, and 220 invitations available. Within 10 minutes of posting my offer, I had 4 offers for an account.

So, I've joined the gmail elite. Woo hoo! I have yet another e-mail address. Sometimes "status symbols" are as much of a hassle as a help.

Well, I've finally taken the plunge, and started open development on a F/OSS project. I've been working for two months now doing the architecture, planning, and other high-level development on a new project. I finally officially kicked it off on SourceForge and opened the project yesterday.

The software will be a comprehensive document management system, with advanced features such as workflow, version control, in-place editing, and much, much more. I had the inspiration when we needed just such a tool at my day job, and I found no mature free software alternative to meet the need. While I have no intention of ever using it at the office (and I really can't work on it at the office!), it is something I have a background in, and I'm certain there's a need for.

One of the more difficult things was naming the project. Every combination of keywords I wanted to use was taken - there are a ton of projects and tools out there with names that are combinations of "free", "open", "document", "deploy", "manage", and other attractive keywords. I finally decided to go with something more esoteric, and give up my family website domain name. I've opted to name the project "Akoria".

So, if you're interested in helping out, or just want to take wander over to the SourceForge project page. And, as always, feedback and comments are welcome.

There was a really cool article yesterday about the encrypted message on the Cyrillic Projector sculpture at the UNCC campus. I love seeing a local story on Slashdot.

It's inspired me to head over to the campus (about 5mi away) one night. I have a couple of friends who are professors in the communications department over there, so maybe I'll get the penny tour.

I landed a "first post" on a RedHat story today.

Hey, what can I say, the little stuff still impresses me.

You can kiss my shiny, first-posting ass.

Being an absolute lover of the original Final Fantasy Tactics for the PS1, I bought Final Fantasy Tactics:Advance for the GBA this weekend.

Absolutely love it - same system of play! Great game - a must have!

Well, after years of being a lurker, I've finally registered for a Slashdot account. I posted a comment today, and almost immediately had it modded up to 4!

Karma is great thing! Now if I can just get a story posted...

And you know, I registered at the January '03 LinuxWorld NYC right next to younr hero and mine, CmdrTaco! I, for one, welcome our new moderator overlords!