I received the following error while trying to access the OpenCouchSurfing Google Group. I post it here on the off-chance anyone is interested in finding out more about the inner workings of Google Groups!
Error: Exception thrown while generating page
java.lang.OutOfMemoryError: MemoryError: Unable to resize ULIST to 20: Out of memory
at org.clearsilver.CS._parseFile(Native Method)
at org.clearsilver.CS.parseFile(CS.java:58)
at com.google.clearsilver.base.PageBase.go(PageBase.java:486)
at com.google.clearsilver.base.PageServlet.handleRequest(PageServlet.java:44)
at com.google.clearsilver.base.PageServlet.doGet(PageServlet.java:33)
at javax.servlet.http.HttpServlet.service(HttpServlet.java:689)
at javax.servlet.http.HttpServlet.service(HttpServlet.java:802)
at com.google.gse.HttpConnection.runServlet(HttpConnection.java:534)
at com.google.gse.HttpConnection.run(HttpConnection.java:458)
at com.google.gse.DispatchQueue$WorkerThread.run(DispatchQueue.java:299)
There has been an interesting shift in Intellectual Property over the last few years. Particularly, the rise in popularity of open-source software. Companies like MySQL, Zend, RedHat, and others are pioneering a new way of doing business. Their core “product”, the software, is freely available. Not only is the product free to use, but you’re free to modify and re-distribute it.
I think this marks an interesting change in focus. What do these companies do to create value? The typical, old-fashioned model is you create something once (some Intellectual Property, IP) and you sell it many times over (Microsoft, Apple, Oracle, etc). Yet these new companies give you the IP for free.
Where many of these companies make money is by charging for additional services. Support, consultancy. Some also charge for alternative licences if you want to include their free software within your non-free software.
Personally, I like this direction. I support the idea of people being paid when they actually do something, rather than being paid many times for the same work. I think music will move in this direction over time, where fans pay for concerts, for events, but not for the music that has already been recorded. Interesting times.
I tried to watch a recent episode of CSI Miami last night. It was too much for me. I barely made it through twenty minutes, while doing other things, before I had to turn it off. Personally, I hold Jim Carrey responsible. Every since seeing this little gem on YouTube I can no longer take David Caruso seriously.
For the cunning linguists amongst my readers, I hope you enjoyed the barely bare bear!
In a scroogle search for “Callum” I have risen from the mirky depths of around 15 to second place! For the past few weeks I’ve been on a concerted effort to litter the web with my calling card as simply “Callum” instead of my full name. The aim was to increase my exposure to the single search term. It seems to be working.
On Monday I caught the ‘hound to Plattsburgh, NY from Montreal. From there I hitched over to Saranac Lake, population ~5′000 where I witnessed local politics in action. Twas exciting! Today I hitched back to Plattsburgh and from there back up to Montreal, crossing the border on foot.
My first lift was from a mother, daughter and guy just out of jail for selling methodone. My second ride offered me a pipe of weed and we sank at least 3 beers on the ride. This morning I was picked up by a doctor coming off a 24 hour shift, then a mobile salesman, a couple with a disabled sticker and finally the US Postal Service truck heading from JFK to Montreal.
I’m staying in Saranac Lake in northern New York. This is one small town. Last night I witnessed a public meeting in the nearby town of Lake Placid (there’s also a movie!).
The meeting was discussing the proposal to change a local street from 1-way back to 2-way traffic. It had to be one of the most irrelevant public meetings I’ve ever witnessed. The passion in the room was insane, people were talking about this street like their very lives depended upon it.
I figure it must be a great place to live if the most important thing going on in town is converting a street from 1 to 2 way traffic!
I’m at BarCampMontreal3, it’s my first ever unconference. I’m gutted, they’re calling it an unconference but it’s not an unconference at all. Simon Law just introduced the event saying it’s an unconference, there are no organisers, then he proceeded to introduce the person controlling the schedule, the person responsible for timing, and so on.
The speakers were set in advance, the topics were set in advance, the timing was set in advance. Unconference my ass. It’s just a series of presentations organised by Wiki. Bah. I’m disappointed.
In a suitably javascriptly enabled browser, double click any word on this site to see an explanation of the word. Then double click any word in the explanation for more. Oh the things that are lexically possible... :)
Recent Twitters
Back from a weekend of campervan road tripping. Happy days. :) #13 hours ago
Heading into town for drinks then off on the road for 3 days. Yeehaa. It's gonna be a great weekend. :) #2008/10/03
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@twitter I can no longer set device update preferences for people I follow because IM is offline and SMS is not in Aus. WTF? Come on people. #2008/10/02
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Cracking day in Sydney today. I'm plotting how I can erect a desk outdoors. Not sure if my laptop screen will be bright enough in the sun. #2008/10/02
@geekrebel I wouldn't have imagined it was such a pain for South Africans to go stateside. Happy travels... :) #2008/10/01
@krusk Welcome to the SmartHippo gang. :) #2008/10/01
@nomadone A personal visit can be very powerful. Then a cheap solicitors letter can help. Ultimately though, be prepared to walk away... :( #2008/10/01
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