logo

stallman vs geohot on software licensing

https://www.perplexity.ai/search/stallman-vs-geohot-on-software-ARH2Pgo8RtaqOOI1lFlZ.w

## Stallman vs. Geohot on Software Licensing **Richard Stallman** and **George Hotz (geohot)** represent two very different philosophies on software licensing and user freedom. ### Stallman's Philosophy - Stallman is the founder of the free software movement and the main author of the GNU General Public License (GPL)[2][5]. - He advocates for "free software," meaning software that gives users the freedom to use, study, modify, and distribute code. - Stallman pioneered the concept of **copyleft**, which uses copyright law to ensure these freedoms are preserved for all users and downstream developers[2][5]. - He is critical of proprietary software, restrictive licenses, DRM, and anything that limits user control or modification of software[2][5]. - For Stallman, the ethical imperative is user freedom, and the GPL enforces this by requiring derivative works to also be free and open[2][5]. ### Geohot's Perspective - George Hotz (geohot) is known for jailbreaking the iPhone and hacking the PlayStation 3, often in direct opposition to restrictive software and hardware licensing. - While not represented in the search results directly, geohot’s actions and public statements indicate a more pragmatic, hacker-centric view: he values the right to tinker, reverse-engineer, and bypass restrictions, but does not necessarily advocate for strict copyleft or "free software" in Stallman's sense. - Geohot has released code under permissive licenses (like MIT or BSD) and has sometimes criticized the GPL for being too restrictive or ideological, preferring licenses that maximize developer freedom—including the freedom to make software proprietary. ### Comparison Table | Aspect | Richard Stallman (GPL) | Geohot (Permissive/Hacker) | |-------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------| | Core Value | User freedom (use, study, modify, share) | Developer freedom, right to tinker | | License Preference | Copyleft (GPL) | Permissive (MIT, BSD) | | View on Proprietary SW | Strongly opposed | Opposes restrictions, but less ideological| | Redistribution Rules | Derivatives must remain free/open | Derivatives can be closed or open | | Attitude Toward DRM | Actively fights DRM, calls it "digital restrictions" | Breaks DRM, but less focus on licensing | ### Key Differences - **Stallman** wants to guarantee freedom for all users, even at the cost of limiting what developers can do with the code (e.g., can't make it proprietary)[2][5]. - **Geohot** is more focused on breaking barriers and enabling hacking and reverse engineering, even if that means someone could take his code and make it closed-source. ### Summary Stallman’s approach is about protecting user freedoms through strong copyleft licensing (GPL), ensuring software remains free for everyone down the chain[2][5]. Geohot’s approach is more about enabling individual freedom to hack, tinker, and bypass restrictions, often favoring permissive licenses that allow maximum flexibility—even if that means the code could become proprietary. This reflects a fundamental divide: Stallman’s ethics-driven, community-focused model vs. geohot’s pragmatic, hacker-centric ethos. [1]

https://www.reddit.com/r/linuxmasterrace/comments/9uzl3w/you_know_what_stallman_was_right_about_free_vs/

[2]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Stallman

[3]

https://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Free_and_open-source_software

[4]

https://www.softwarekey.com/blog/software-licensing-tips/5-blatant-truths-software-licensing-systems-and-piracy/

[5]

https://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/Richard_Stallman

[6]

https://hackaday.com/2016/01/13/stallmans-one-mistake/

[7]

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=32927794

[8]

https://pages.uoregon.edu/bybee/J413RogersJailBreakingComputerHardware.htm

What is the number of validators in bitcoin, etherium, cardano, solana, and sui

https://www.perplexity.ai/search/what-is-the-number-of-validato-4Ew.8rLaTUqCFIF4W11HZQ

As of February 15, 2025, the number of validators for each blockchain is as follows: Bitcoin: Bitcoin doesn't use validators in the same way as proof-of-stake networks. Instead, it uses miners for its proof-of-work system. The number of miners is not specified in the search results. Ethereum: Ethereum has reached 1 million validators, with 32 million ETH staked[8]. This is a significant increase from the 500,000 validators reported in January 2023[2]. Cardano: Cardano has over 3,000 validator nodes[6]. This number has grown since April 2021, when it had 2,076 validators[9]. Solana: Solana has 1,414 validators and 3,100 RPCs, totaling 4,514 nodes[10]. This is an increase from the previous report of over 3,400 validators, including over 2,400 consensus nodes[4]. Sui: Sui currently has only 100 validators[5]. It's important to note that the number of validators doesn't necessarily equate to the level of decentralization, as other factors such as stake distribution and geographical diversity also play crucial roles. Citations: [1]

https://www.bitdegree.org/halving/next-bitcoin-halving-dates

[2]

https://blockworks.co/news/ethereum-to-reach-500000-validators

[3]

https://www.lidonation.com/sw/posts/proof-of-stake-on-ethereum-and-cardano-running-a-validator-node

[4]

https://solana.com/news/validator-health-report-march-2023

[5]

https://www.ledger.com/academy/what-is-sui

[6]

https://www.litefinance.org/blog/for-beginners/how-to-trade-crypto/cardano-vs-solana/

[7]

https://www.investopedia.com/tech/what-happens-bitcoin-after-21-million-mined/

[8]

https://cointelegraph.com/news/ethereum-1-million-validators-too-much

[9]

https://www.reddit.com/r/cardano/comments/mp8koh/why_does_cardano_have_so_few_validators_compared/

[10]

https://www.helius.dev/blog/solana-decentralization-facts-and-figures

[11]

https://sui.io/validators

[12]

https://cryptorobotics.ai/uncategorized/crypto-giants-cardano-solana-sui-2025-showdown/

[13]

https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Controlled_supply

[14]

https://www.cointribune.com/en/1-million-ethereum-validators-in-2024-why-are-major-companies-increasingly-interested-in-it/

[15]

https://blockworks.co/news/measuring-decentralization-is-your-crypto-decentralized

[16]

https://docs.sui.io/guides/operator/validator-config

[17]

https://www.theblock.co/post/285262/ethereum-one-million-validators

The size of the specification is the best indicator of how complex, convoluted and mediocre a language is.

https://x.com/kai_fall/status/1882798641863377229

sveltekit vs htmx for pwa

https://www.perplexity.ai/search/sveltekit-vs-htmx-for-pwa-eAQa5IquRIa6vZWqSuTasA

When comparing **SvelteKit** and **HTMX** for building Progressive Web Apps (PWAs), it's essential to understand their core functionalities, strengths, and weaknesses, as they serve different purposes in web development. ## Overview of SvelteKit and HTMX ### SvelteKit - **Framework Type**: SvelteKit is a full-fledged framework designed for building reactive web applications with a focus on performance and developer experience. - **Core Features**: - **Client-Side Interactivity**: SvelteKit excels in creating highly interactive user interfaces by compiling components into efficient JavaScript code, which runs in the browser[2]. - **Routing and SSR**: It provides built-in routing and supports server-side rendering (SSR), which can enhance SEO and initial load performance[4]. - **Rich Ecosystem**: SvelteKit benefits from a growing ecosystem of libraries and tools that enhance functionality, including state management and form handling. ### HTMX - **Framework Type**: HTMX is a lightweight JavaScript library that allows you to create dynamic web applications by extending HTML with attributes that enable AJAX requests. - **Core Features**: - **Server-Side Rendering Focus**: HTMX is primarily geared towards enhancing server-rendered HTML pages by enabling partial updates without requiring a full page reload[1]. - **Minimal JavaScript Requirement**: It allows developers to add interactivity using minimal JavaScript, making it suitable for projects where keeping the JS footprint small is crucial[2][5]. - **Integration with Backend Technologies**: HTMX works seamlessly with various backend technologies, allowing developers to leverage existing server-side rendering capabilities while adding interactivity incrementally. ## Pros and Cons ### SvelteKit **Pros**: - Comprehensive framework for building SPAs with rich interactivity. - Strong community support and extensive documentation. - Built-in features like routing and SSR streamline development. **Cons**: - Larger bundle size due to the framework's comprehensive nature. - Requires familiarity with JavaScript/TypeScript for optimal use. ### HTMX **Pros**: - Lightweight and easy to integrate into existing projects. - Reduces the amount of JavaScript needed by leveraging server-side rendering. - Ideal for projects that require minimal interactivity or where SEO is a priority. **Cons**: - Limited in handling complex client-side interactions compared to frameworks like SvelteKit. - Might lead to fragmented architecture when combined with SPA frameworks, as it serves a different purpose[2][3]. ## Use Cases - **SvelteKit** is best suited for applications that require rich client-side interactivity, such as single-page applications (SPAs) where user experience is paramount. - **HTMX**, on the other hand, shines in scenarios where traditional server-rendered applications can benefit from enhanced interactivity without the overhead of a full SPA framework. It is particularly useful for maintaining simpler architectures while still providing dynamic content updates. ## Conclusion Choosing between SvelteKit and HTMX for PWAs largely depends on your project requirements. If you need a robust framework for building highly interactive applications, SvelteKit is the better option. Conversely, if your application can leverage server-side rendering effectively while minimizing client-side complexity, HTMX may be more appropriate. Each tool has its strengths, making them suitable for different types of web applications. Citations: [1]

https://www.reddit.com/r/webdev/comments/14f3g6i/htmx_or_alpine_over_sveltekit/

[2]

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=35527287

[3]

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=36429671

[4]

https://github.com/pocketbase/pocketbase/discussions/3574

[5]

https://blog.ohheybrian.com/2022/06/moving-from-svelte-to-htmx/