ewsnow - Slashdot User

Working on FLOSS at work 1

Submitted by ewsnow on Tuesday November 22, @03:54PM

ewsnow writes "At work we use a variety of open-source software, particularly libraries, and often find cause to fix or modify the code while on the clock. At the same time we have to keep track of how much of our time is capitalizable by the company, for tax reasons. I've been unable to find a clear answer on this topic. How should we record the time we spend on the open-source code, particularly when we push changes back upstream? Furthermore, what accounting impact does it have when we open-source one of our internal libraries?"

What's the Rationale for Intellectual Property? 1

Submitted by ewsnow on Friday September 16, @03:49PM

ewsnow writes "I'm looking for good, reliable reference material on the current and past rationale for intellectual property laws, particularly in the United States and about patents (followed by copyright). However, I wouldn't discount explanations anyone is willing to offer on the subject. Also, info for other countries is valuable to me as a comparison. My biggest interest is in how this rationale has evolved over time, especially since the US constitution was written. I've found some decent references out there but want to get a Slashdot perspective."

Comment: Take a Look at CPython (Score 1) 329

by ewsnow on Thursday September 08, @11:21AM (#37341292) Attached to: Ask Slashdot: Best Programs To Learn From?

CPython's source is easy to find and easy to read. The core dev community has gone to pains to keep it simple. It's also pretty well documented and has a great community in general. You can download the source at python.org or look at it online (http://hg.python.org/cpython/). You make a mercurial clone on your local box for hacking and use bitbucket to host it publicly.

I've found the CPython source to be a fount of knowledge. A great place to start is the devguide.

Scientists One Step Closer to Cheap Nuclear Fusion 0

Submitted by ewsnow on Sunday October 18 2009, @12:50AM

ewsnow writes "The Focus Fusion Society reports that the scientists and engineers at Lawrenceville Plasma Physics have finally built an operational Dense Plasma Focus device. While not at full power yet, they were able to achieve a pinch on their device. The small company that Eric Lerner started recently gathered enough funding to start a two year study on the validity of his theory regarding fusion-inducing plasmoids. If the theory holds, the device will produce more electricity than goes in. In contrast to the billions of dollars spent on Tokamak fusion (think ITER), LPP is conducting their research on a budget around a million dollars. Yet, if it works, it will provide nuclear fusion with much simpler equipment and much less cost. Eric Lerner and Focus Fusion have been discussed on Slashdot before."