get the wor (l) d

(Or why I removed my extension from Mozilla addons site )

In 2004 I decided to play with the possibilities of Thunderbird addon. I started to write the "virtual identity extension" and immediately published version 0.1. From version 0.2.1 on, Which was published in November 2004, virtual identity was available on mozilla.org .

From 2004 up to 2011 I continued developing this extension, and always tried to get this extension published on addons.mozilla.org. Users of the Mozilla mail programs Thunderbird and Seamonkey had been able to find my Therefore extension just by the search included the main features or addon sites. Over the years I got around 4000 (?) Permanent (?) Users worldwide of this extension, and publishing at the official mozilla site was one reason for getting people pointed to my work.

But over the years there had been more and more restrictions at addons.mozilla.org, and I finally decided in August 2011 that I will stop my cooperation with addons.mozilla.org by removing all of my releases from their site. There are a lot of reasons, and I got asked to declare them in more detail ...

• My software started as a hack to Fulfil some personal requirements. The virtual identity extension is still a hack, everybody who has a look at the code wants to sign this.
  Because it's no bug-free software, my typical release cycle is the following: I want to add some features or changes for compatibility with new Thunderbird / Seamonkey releases, and publish the resulting version. Once I publish some new version, I often get a bunch of bug-reports which i can easily fix with small code changes, and some follow-up Rapidly-versions will be released.
  The problem is, that addons.mozilla.org requires a code-review of my extension before it gets published. Even if my addon Fulfills all the requirements of this review, it will take time (and manpower) to get this done. Therefore it might take a week or two before any bugfix can be released.
  That's why I published my parallel extension on my own website. There I was able to fix bugs immediately, Which made the development process seen from addons.mozilla.orgs site only worse. If I uploaded another version to addons.mozilla.org while some previous version was still in their review process, I just moved my extension again at the end of the waiting-cue for a review. If I did not uploaded it to mozilla.org, the reviewer told me that it makes no sense to review some old version (he saw the new version at my own site), right ...
  However, what addons.mozilla.org mostly to slow to get my bug fixes released in short time. And it's a pity not being able to publish a bugfix immediately, seeing people downloading a broken version and getting reports about bugs already fixed.
• The review process got more restricted with the time and now includes some more tests to improve the standards of the extensions at addons.mozilla.org. Which sounds good at the first place, just turned out to be the showstopper for me.
  After a year of quietness I continued to develop virtual identity in the more intense this summer. While releasing the software at addons.mozilla.org, I got told that I should take care about some namespace pollution , which happened with my extension.
  The coding-to Fulfil the requirements had been changed mozilla standards since last year, and therefore I decided to write a new version of the extension for up-to-date Thunderbird and Seamonkey releases Which takes care critizised on the issues. Mayor code changes had been required and I expected the new release to require a while till it would be as stable as the old one.
  I decided to do the work on a new brunch and started with the 0.8-line of virtual identity. But I was not able to release this work and publish the changes step by step, because they had been required to Fulfil all together improved the coding standards of addons.mozilla.org.
  And the old version 0.7 was still around for users with older versions Firefox and Thunderbird, and even if it was stable, there had been small bug fixes and feature implementations since than. But I was Prevented from addons.mozilla.org to publish these fixes and changes at their site - because of the overall code changes required.

That's enough. It's not me who is doing the programming work, Therefore it should be me who is the One Who Decides if there should be an update for one of my releases or. I like to decide what to release and when [1]. mozilla.org might give me some credits on how my software is useful or not, but I never want to give them more power or anybody else then myself over the release process of my work again.

[1] even the release time can be a problem. I remember this one time, when addons.mozilla.org just finished the review at the beginning of my holiday. No Internet for me, no support for the users - I would have used a better timing on my own.

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Glorious as that the day before my descent I've done it but then, I get off the ship and clean to go to real life. The occasion was the biggest, hottest and soweiter electronic music festival , which is noisy degree in Barcelona. And the weather outlook for Germany, I thought it may never be bad for few hours to enjoy the festival encouraging sun, listen to music and freedom, leisure and free beer to dream ...

In any case, have self managed an hour queuing Aftern overpriced day pass, and ne other eternity later to find the location for the days events. Just up and left the Rambla ... no problem, if not for all the tourists were. Keep all 3 hours for my festival excursion.

But it was worth it. Now I sit at the Museo d'Art Contemporareo on art (!) Plastic grass and smoke cigarettes at sporting passive electronic sounds at its best. So really not a bad alternative to on-board operation, perhaps a little too passive ... But tomorrow is again time for the active phase of my life, then you go back to Berlin to Rostock and after Lärtz . What could be bessres ...

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Is really weird to be back on board for just four weeks. Have previously had no time to be annoyed by the next climb. And now there is no time to take his own life on board with all the constraints and opportunities specific to the ship too much to heart, or even frustrated them to be. All that matters is the next descent.

And so it goes permanently beyond reality. Past Rome without more than the container from Civitavecchia to see. Past Cannes, where surely still be caviar remains on the table cloths of the street cafes of the exclusivity of an idea last week . Passing by Barcelona, ​​where, according to news reports just the police on people who want a piece of the future, swinging away . And passing ships, on which thousands of tourists , with whom I have nothing to do, run away from their own realities.

Over. In particular, without actually being there. Over, more quickly. Without really be there. Over. Without a day trip, with no trips to the country. Without party visits to the deck. The first round made it. Have noticed without really, where were we all. In fact, the only degree of reality to which I commit myself at the moment, to live and work behind the scenes of the ship. Here I have with people to do not with sights, attractions and events. And then it has also something - because sometimes someone will say, labor can not make fun always comes to the alternatives.

Three weeks are enough, but even then.

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Yes, what's that again? The day before the phone rings, no rings, because of course, is the traditional night-time switched or muted. So, the phone flashes right after waking up (my) fun to himself and says: You slept through NEN call Alta! And a mail hurry too!

Sure, same time and watched the mail subject "URGENT ..." sounded suspiciously like spam. There was no breast augmentation, but this time, but the incredible offer, sometimes going back to when my mother company on board. "You have won!" Hmmm. And early on the morrow. And just a day after I had shaved off his beard again, can make application photos, and had sent the first application for ne full-time position without regard to Rostock ship. How come degree now? It is still too warm outside degree!

Before NEM months still absolutely no need was never not in sight, and now again this very instant. So really everything as always.

Not as usual, is that I've made this time conditions. I'll play with again, but after that I want to be involved in the Schedule. What we have agreed on a somewhat extensive telephone meeting then. Now again on board, first to June 19. Then again from July 30 through October, and then, yes then ... well actually before that, I will participate in the planning for the future. Bekomm the plan for next year and sent in advance can I enter in my desired size. And then, when that ship, how long, well, at least approximately - confirmed And get this.

Since isser finally, my I-go-on-year 4-month-on-board job, but somehow I had imagined it differently ... More complete joy, euphoria and all that. But there is the shadow of the ship already, here the sky darkens, and starting next Saturday again my reality - so spontaneous is not really pleasant. I still had so much before, but also want Rostock grad still rock ... And my beautiful summer, but I want to go on vacation in August! Well, I'm torn, but is just not always perfect, and after all, one and a half months I have saved my summer. And then, starting next year, my life is hopefully a little more predictable.

So Keep heavy first amends the merger , I'm back again and again in July, also at the beach!

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On my system I used former HSOconnect for my internal modem to 3g easily connect to my ISP. Changed to the always-up-to-date gentoo I run into the problem, that the version from the dottout-overlay did not installed 2.6 on my python. Therefore I hacked my first own ebuild, and pushed into my brandnew gentoo overlay .

To use it, by adding a overlay activate my line "http://absorb.it/software/gentoo/gentoo-overlay.xml" in the overlays section of / etc / portage / layman.cfg

vi / etc / portage / layman.cfg
...
overlays: http://www.gentoo.org/proj/en/overlays/repositories.xml

http://absorb.it/software/gentoo/gentoo-overlay.xml

Than sync your overlays with "layman-s" and add my one with "layman-a absorb.it". Now you should be able to install 2.1.19 with hsoconnect emerge.

rene @ sailfish ~ $ emerge-pv hsoconnect
These are the packages that would be merged, in order:
Calculating dependencies ... done!
[Ebuild R] net-dialup/hsoconnect-1.2.19 0 kB [1]
Total: 1 package (1 reinstall), Size of downloads: 0 kB
Portage tree and overlays:
[0] / usr / portage
[1] / var / lib / portage / absorb.it

If you do not like to add my complete overlay (you never know what comes next and how buggy it will be) just download it with "git clone git :/ / absorb.it / gentoo-overlay" and install the net-dialup section into your local portage tree "/ usr / local / portage /", this should have the same result

#> Git clone git :/ / absorb.it / gentoo-overlay
#> Cd gentoo-overlay
#> Cp-r net-dialup / usr / local / portage /

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Eventually, two months are around. It's time, Moki, we have already adopted, Ronald is still with us lunch and then we fly back. First, to Madrid, we gaze at us tomorrow or soon, then on to Berlin. And Saturday once again be home to the clerk, but also what has ...
Colombia, oh yes, a wonderful holiday. And had a good experience, if one disregards the attacks of mosquitoes. But it was also a well-trodden backpacker holiday paths, the true Colombia (gibs that) we have not seen you. The Pacific coast, the Amazon, and many other corners waiting on it yet to be discovered by us.
Also we saved to dance salsa in Cali, do not have everything. And better understanding it is just the Columbia and fortunately for us before verseckten propensity for violence in this country in not too sure. This is probably through books, perhaps by ' Law in a lawless country , 'which was part of our travel library. Remains an ambivalent feeling the reality of a country, after two months, but can not understand. And still, in any case, the memory of a wonderful vacation in a distant alien world, with the dearest of all women by my side. Beautifully das.
And now the heater does in Germany, here we come!

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For three days we are now in Cali. And times have simply done nothing so far. So aside from the daily supermarket visit and cheer the way past his visit eco-parks, of course, on Sundays only place for people, but not offered for the animals in the area. They have rather rumgetrieben at Ronald + Mokis house on Sunday passed an iguana, a squirrel and a burst of brightly colored sparrow-like birds, however.
More is happening here is not degree. Enough times, too, after all the action. Reading books, hoeing the computer, basking in the heat, the memories of those hot days here overcomes anything the weather outlook for Germany - and then comes the spring in Germany.
We even have three days here. Apart from short trips to the city and possibly NEN trip to the Sugar Cane Museum is nothing planned, so shall it be also with reports here are thinner. And also with photos, but enough times so now. Well then, some joy (or they say nostalgia?) Is now as well as slow, time you'll see them all again. Soon.

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So we had moved for a week to Providencia. Ne delightful little Caribbean islands, sandy beaches, palm trees, and the water with 27Grad ideal for cooling at 40 degrees chill on the beach.
Beautiful, and because only boring island squatting in the long run, is on the second day we visited the same time Felipe. Felipe is a little over 50 years Rastaman, who turned his hobby into a profession. Nich dive what do you think he likes. And then we have taken the same time, samples had to be diving course, if you have been looking over at Paradis.
And what there was to see everything: thousands of starfish, coral in all colors, like fish in an aquarium, beautiful. As excited as we were, we have only a plan and razed After then diving course. That meant getting up early every day, but after that, but since the gabs a full day program.
And we could all get to know colleagues from Felipe, Mariluis, Alex, Jim, Charlie, and even some other very relaxed contemporaries, who have both taken the effort with jokes and motivating words. And We did it, we both now and be sure NEN Tauschein swim under the water again soon.
Because down there ne real chic world is hidden. In addition to thousands of colorful coral fish gabs course, more than enough. Those who have blown themselves in touch as to nem hedgehog ball bearing the gefähliche plumes. There were stingrays, giant crabs and of course dolphins. And There Were Sharks course, we are still very cool. One larger than the other, and impressive anyway. And also somehow elegant, so big fish do not so hectic.
In the evening, beautiful beach on the fish eaten that are not lucky enough to hang out the day with us divers, but absolutely had to fishermen. And again looked at the sea, as the Rays jumped out of the gabs Wasseer and tried to learn to fly (unsuccessfully). Leutende and marine animals, such as the lights were stranded on the beach. Fine fine.

But after so much time paradise must also return some reality. And against the return of some internet I will also say nothing. So now back to Cali HERE to Ronald and Moki and the kids. And then soon after cold Germany, well, for a week vacation is still ...

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Still in Cartagena, we have sweated the last two days times correctly in NER city. And there are nice spots here, living spaces, colorful streets and many children - if only it were not so hot ...
Well, since such hot days need a project plan so that it is going to move the focus from the fan, we have yesterday morning gamacht culture. So watched. And while the old fortress - to-- which has somehow just fine Cartagena defended against 186 French sailing ships. Is zugegegebn a while ago.
In the afternoon we have dedicated ourselves to the current culture and looking for postage stamps and postal ne. After thousands of tips we've found it in NER external switch in the center gallery, where there were stamps. Extremely expensive. Inconspicuous and NEN 0815-mailbox, stood on the 247. Whether this will probably mean that you should throw around the Clock what?

After so much culture today was again encouraging walking plan. Will walk to the beach town, because so was really inviting for a swim is not so ... So once wandered around the skyscraper peninsula, some wet feet and made us diligently on it happy, that we much better off tomorrow NEN beach have ...
Then it goes on flying mitm namely the Colombian Caribbean island of Providencia, 6 square miles surrounded by water. And if there's no Comcel mobile network, the wars with blogging then again, we'll see.

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Have we done so yesterday. Time another 5 hour bus fahrn, not counting the incredibly long drive to Santa Marta to the bus station. If you believe Not like the big hole is ...
So anyway's a long bus ride, after half gabs' s film, even for us, especially with English subtitles. "My name is Khan", again to experience something wonderful Indian romance. Just then the bus ride was not long enough, the last kitsch tears we had to then pick up on Wikipedia - a stroke of luck, happy ending.
Then thwarted yesterday in search of food half the city at night, wonderful. On the day of ISTS is lighter, it is also better and cheaper restaurants, but the price is the heat. At least 40 degrees or so not to endure. Clever way, we have escaped us for ne good while in air-conditioned shopping zones Furnished - as a thank Antje has now a summer dress.

Apart from that we have today, the city looked at again in light. And is beautiful, definitely. Small fancy houses with balconies and flowers, the little city car Contaminated pleasant. And there are also some parks and cafes, that is a kept. Even the police are comfortable with beach buggies on the road, well, and goes with everything else Sun
In any case, there is a lot to see. And we still have two more days, so take it easy ...

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