The Slashdot Source Code

Allright for those of you who haven't been paying attention, I fully intend to open the Slashdot source. This has always been the plan. But first, hit the link below and let me say a few things about it. Updated

First, this will not happen until after finals. Hopefully before I start my June term. There are a few big enough security holes, that it would be insane for me to release the code, unless I want some childish cracker to rip slashdot open, and I don't have the time right now to coordinate the efforts to fix/improve things.

Second, the code is incomplete. I have only about half of the features I want in there, and I want to code them right. When I consider the code '1.0', I'll release it. 2.0 will be developed more open.

Third, I'm going to strip the HTML down so we don't have a dozen sites pop up that look identical. This code'll probably be cleaner on Netscape2 and everything too. I'll probably work in a cookie to allow users to choose thick or thin net connections anyway.

Fourth, I'm not sure about the license- it will be GPL, or close to it, but I also would love to see a few commercial sites based on the code, and be paid for it somehow. I'm open to suggestions on how I can try to break even on the venture. I'm not looking to live of this, but I am looking to be able to pay my tuition, buy beer, and help finance my addiction to buying cool hardware. Free sites will definately be able to use the code for free. Maybe I should ask for 1% of ad revenue on commercial sites. Something trivial, but if a few major sites used my code, I would be able to make something back. I dunno, I haven't thought about it very hard. Since the backend uses Mysql, commercial sites will also need to buy that, or port to a different server, so its not completely black and white yet.

Update I've been thinking a lot about this all night, and how about this: GPL with 1 restriction- users must put a Slashdot Logo on the homepage, and link it back here. This way, I get more hits and can theoretically sell advertising, as Slashdot will continue to grow as new people visit. This strikes me as being cool, without being terribly restrictive. Is this fair? Will this idea slow down the flame mails? hopefully I get sell the advertising, and software is otherwise unrestricted.

Lastly, to the people who resorted to name calling and insults of me personally regarding this topic, crawl into a hole and die now please. If you don't ask about my plans, you have no right to resort to childish name calling.

My evil side tells me that I should just post the list of offenders IPs or something, but I'm used to flames enough to realize that these people are are probably either uninformed or jealous.

Anyhoo, we'll be establishing a mailing list sooner or later to start hashing out details. Don't flood me with email quite yet though since it is the last week of class, and I have tons of Stats and CompSci Theory homework to do in the next few days.