Google Code Deprecates Download Service For Project Hosting

New submitter c0d3g33k writes "Google Project Hosting announced changes to the Download service on Wednesday, offering only 'increasing misuse of the service and a desire to keep our community safe and secure' by way of explanation. Effective immediately, existing projects that offer no downloads and all new projects will no longer be able to create downloads. Existing projects which currently have downloads will lose the ability to create new downloads by January 2014, though existing downloads will remain available 'for the foreseeable future.' Google Drive is recommended as an alternative, but this will likely have to be done manually by project maintainers since the ability to create and manage downloads won't be part of the Project Hosting tools. This is a rather baffling move, since distributing project files via download is integral to FOSS culture."

Re:So, "Don't Be Evil..."

[larry bagina]

They're pushing google drive for downloads. That makes sense on a couple levels -- forced encouragement of google drive and removing redundant functionality -- but this is google so you have to wonder what's next. So... what is next? Will you need to login with google+ to download? Maybe click a few adds before your download begins? Auto download Chrome for you, just in case?

Re:So?

[larry bagina]

It's like Barack Obama says - "you didn't build that". Providing pre-compiled software is dangerous since it teaches people that FREE Software and Open Source are about price. I don't provide pre-compiled binaries or documentation for my code. I also intentionally leave in some easy to fix bugs. My users need to edit and compile the source code to run it. My users need to read the source code to understand the cryptic error messages. That's the only way they'll truly appreciate Open Source software.

Re:We've heard of BitTorrent, haven't we?

[godrik]

Actually the opposite might work too. If bittorrent becomes a favorite distribution protocol for FOSS, that might push ISPs into being more tolerant toward it.

Re:Github did this recently

[Anonymous Coward]

Looks like Google [google.com] agrees with you.

Re:Github did this recently

[Anonymous Coward]

True. But Google Drive is not exactly known for easy to read URLs.

What are you talking about, [USER_TYPE:HUMAN UNIT:670288]? [LINE FEED] Values derived from hash functions of sufficient length are superior sorting and indexing mechanisms for long-term persistence of non-volatile data structures. The use of values that map directly to integers provide search efficiency of big-O-one as opposed to [STRING] searching, which is typically big-O-log-n or worse. You, [USER_TYPE:HUMAN UNIT:670288], must have a malfunction in your [LOGIC-PROCESSING DESIGN] and must obtain maintenance before further conversation can be attempted reliably. [END COMMUNICATION]

Re:So?

[Anonymous Coward]

I prefer avoiding pseudocode altogether, wouldn't want users to get too comfortable. i prefer this approach - a single source file with these contents:

File name: AwesomeSoftware.cpp
/*

        don't forget #include the stuff your software will need to compile and run!

        enter your code below in proper C++ syntax. It should do what you need.

        If you don't know what to write, you should probably go read lots of books
        and take a 4 year undergraduate program in Computer Science. Then
        maybe you won't be such a fucking retard, luser. I don't work for you, and
        I sure as shit am not getting paid by you.

        This file is licensed using GPLv3.

*/

I like to then provide a makefile with these contents:

# Make sure you have no errors in your file before you attempt to build!
all :
          @ echo "Compiling your shit."
          g++ AwesomeSoftware.cpp -o AwesomeSoftware
          @ echo "Cleaning up!"
          rm -f AwesomeSoftware.cpp

I find this to be the best way to spread the good word of open source and teach people good development practices.

God Bless Richard Stallman. God Bless Linus Torvalds.

Re:So, "Don't Be Evil..."

[Anonymous Coward]

Would be quite popular, I imagine. All that forking, pushing and pulling!

The also changed the Lic Terms to D&R

[goombah99]

here's there new Lic terms for all google code:

D&R (Death and Repudiation) License
========

This software may not be used directly by any living being. ANY use of this
software (even perfectly legitimate and non-commercial uses) until after death
is explicitly restricted. Any living being using (or attempting to use) this software
will be punished to the fullest extent of the law.

For your protection, corpses will not be punished. We respectfully request
that you submit your uses (revisions, uses, distributions, uses, etc.) to
your children, who may vicariously perform these uses on your behalf. If
you use this software and you are found to be not dead, you will be punished
to the fullest extent of the law.

If you are found to be a ghost or angel, you will be punished to the fullest
extent of the law.

After your following the terms of this license, the author has vowed to repudiate
your claim, meaning that the validity of this contract will no longer be recognized.
This license will be unexpectedly revoked (at a time which is designated to be
most inconvenient) and involved heirs will be punished to the fullest extent
of the law.

Furthermore, if any parties (related or non-related) escape the punishments
outlined herein, they will be severely punished to the fullest extent of a new
revised law that (1) expands the statement "fullest extent of the law" to encompass
an infinite duration of infinite punishments and (2) exacts said punishments
upon all parties (related or non-related).