Android: App Hell, Part Deux

(part one)

From the Cupcake release:

Developer Tools

• New features
  • Enable handset manufacturers to extend the Android SDK with add-ons. SDK add-ons will include:
    • system libraries to let developers use additional APIs provided by handset manufacturers or from other 3rd party vendors that handset manufacturers chose to include
    • emulator system images, skins, and hardware configuration to let developers test their applications on their Android implementation

Well, damn.

The way I see it, we're going to have Microsoft Java all over. Different manufacturers fighting over vendor lock-in features, and harming the rest of the population in the process.

I wonder how incompatibilities between vendor and hardware specific extensions are going to be handled in Android Market.

Penguins In Shcool

Mark my words - the story about a teacher threatening Linux distributor, my gut feeling tells me, is going to have wider repercussions for all involved in particular, and the community in general, than just a few laughs over an ignorant teacher.

UPDATE: Yep, there's been a followup, and more followup. That's the price one pays for being a geek. I don't think this is going to be the end of the story, either.

Handcuff Notes: Writing Fortran In Any Language

More than once I've noticed that working with quality source code is easy and pleasant in any IDE, of which I've seen quite a few, or even without an IDE.

Likewise, working with crappy source is painful no matter what IDE is used. It just falls apart and explodes in your face, leaving scars on your brain as its shards fly by.

Once again, the realization that good software engineering is in perfect accord with Wu Wei, comes with enlightenment.

Voting With My Dollars: Thumbs Up To Sir Paul

Just bought the digital version (MP3 + FLAC) of Electric Arguments.

Do I like Paul McCartney that much? Not quite. There was a period in my life and period in his life when our tastes in music were somewhat similar, but basically no, I describe myself as being of Pink Floyd generation.

Could I get it for free from Internet just a few days later, maybe later today? Absolutely, yes.

Would Sir Paul notice? Probably not, he appears to be busy talking to his neighbors about the boars, and, in general, it seems that the whole anti-DRM thing is rather new to him.

All above notwithstanding, there are things more important than the fact that I don't like the album that much (at least yet, it might turn out to be an acquired taste). The most important facts to me are:

• The album was released DRM free
• Integrity is something that is perfected by example.

I've been saying for a long time that DRM is evil, and if the artists I liked would do the right thing, then I'll cough up the money. Today is the day.

For those wishing to put their money where their mouth is, here's the link, again: Electric Arguments by The Fireman.