Do you remember the Frankencamera? The API used for the Frankencamera has been released for the Nokia n900 Phone, making the phones camera programmable. For those with programming skills this could be a very interesting Journey. FCam API provides you with full low level control of your camera, enabling you to hack your Nokia N900 and program it however you wish.
What happens next?
Maybe nothing. The world may simply yawn and move onto other things. Another possibility is that hackers all over the world will begin
The impact of Open Source Technology
Companies can no longer lock their products down. There is always someone finding a way to jail break and customize the next gadget and making that information readily available. Technology is no longer limited to what is accomplished by small groups of programmers and technicians. The open source movement and like it or not, the Linux community have a lot to do with making all of this possible.
July 30th, 2010 - 2:00 pm
A computing device is like just any other device or equipment: a food processor, a chainsaw, a vacuum cleaner, a microscope, whatever. The manufacturer usually provides an operating manual and safety instructions along with the device. There is nothing stopping you from using that device anyway you want, including taking it apart and using its parts elsewhere or substituting other parts. Only the Law Of The Land can enforce restrictions in view of safety or security. You may very well make copies of the device, subject to patent restrictions.
Similarly, the operating manual does not carry restrictions on your being able to lend it to someone, or explaining it verbatim to someone who wants to use a similar device but does not have a manual. Nobody stops you from writing your own, better manual on the basis of your experience with the device. For a complex device, the manual may be a necessary part of using it.
So why should computers and software be treated differently?