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Grayjay is not Open Source (hiphish.github.io)

submitted 2 years ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Today FUTO released an application called Grayjay for Android-based mobile phones. Louis Rossmann introduced the application in a video (YouTube link). Grayjay as an application is very promising, but there is one point I take issue with: Grayjay is not an Open Source application. In the video Louis explains his reason behind the custom license, and while I do agree with his reason, I strong disagree with his method. In this post I will explain what Open Source means, how Grayjay does not meet the criteria, why this is an issue, and how it can be solved.

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[–] [email protected] 22 points 2 years ago (2 children)

You skipped the part about wtf the app is and why we should care.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (1 children)

Grayjay is a platform that allows users to view YouTube alongside paid content like Patreon, or even live platforms like Twitch.

So I guess one more middleman between content and consumer.

Edit: their website loaded after 5 mins

So they are like: "don't open twitch. open our website, it's literally the same thing". A super-app for video streaming? Who asked for this, and why?

[–] [email protected] 9 points 2 years ago

The idea behind it per the video where they introduced it is that its a means of creators to take ownership of their own content. The idea being that if you follow creator X on youtube you arent actually following creator x you're following them on youtube. If something happens or youtube removes a video for whatever reason of they have to leave the platform then you lose access to their content.

If you're on this app you follow creator x on whatever platform they are on. So in theory it's not just an all in one app but a way to solve the youtube monopoly and make for an easy transition.

In concept I think it sounds really cool, but whether it actually is able to deliver on it's goals remains to be seen.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I dont think it is only about this app. it is mostly about how the concept of Open Source has been redefined. Sometimes it feels like "source code is available" the same as Open Source (the code is there open, for you to see ,right?).

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 years ago

Imo it's not been redefined at all. People are just pushing the boundaries of what it means and creating absolutist views on what it should mean. There is a space for that sure, but shaming companies that define where their own boundaries are is not the way of it.

If we do that, you are challenging what software freedom actually is if you ask me