Weekly Notes 39/2024

Everyone has recovered. It seemed like a common viral fever that was going around, but it was nothing serious. Luckily, I didn't get sick. Hence, we could handle the situation easily. However, this left a lot of work tasks pending to be picked up this week.

• 💻 I had to stay focused and get things done. I did just that. I am super proud of it. Most of the work is under control now. It was a hectic but good work week.
• 📽 We watched ARM at a mall in Thrissur. Even though it didn't have subtitles, I could get most of it. I enjoyed it.
• 🎶 I wrote a blog post about our music setup for Uma. It's a big success.
• 🌐 Sending C&D to a commercial user of WordPress is a bad move by Automattic (The main folks behind FOSS project WordPress.org), it puts anyone who does business using WordPress at danger; not just WP Engine. Once you use patent/TM as a "weapon" against one, regardless of who that is, it will be used against others at some point in the future. It's a slippery slope. Also, when someone changes and uses your GPLed code, you don't call it "bastardized"; there is a word for it "fork". Calling it "bastardized" is disrespectful to the whole FOSS community. Forking and chaging is one of the basic tenants of free software and a right given by GPL. Language matters even in conflict with someone. I am only worried as I am a big fan of WordPress and a user of it. This incident won't stop me from using it or make me dislike Automattic. I do use paid products from Automattic and will continue using them. But I must say I am disheartened. We know WPEngine uses WordPress.org's resources (like plugin directory), and they should pay for its bandwidth, maintenance, etc, as one of the most significant users. It could have been done transparently as a paid service to all big business users. It's not just the goal.
• 🏖 Onam holidays have officially ended. We are all set to return to Bangalore this weekend.

Note: Title changed because its week 39 and not 40. Since cool URLs don't change, URL remains the same. Thank you Mihir.