Trek Browser Closed Beta

[jeremykross]

So, some of you may recall a few months ago I first published an app that I've written on these forums. It was its first real public showing (and a marginal disaster --small bug on the server caused a crash).

Anyway the project has congealed a little bit and I'm looking for people to take part in a closed beta. You can find out all about the app at http://www.trekbrowser.com. Fundamentally, it's a web browser where the html content is overlayed with avatars that can move about and interact on the page. The youtube video on the homepage that gives a nice overview and/or enjoy this screenshot.

http://www.trekbrowser.com/storage/ubuntu_trek.png

Anyway, binaries are available for Windows, Mac, and Ubuntu (although I'm assuming you'll grab the latter-est). If anyone is interested email invite@trekbrowser.com and I'll send you a beta key. If you have any questions or comments feel free to post back here.

Visit http://www.trekbrowser.com for more info.

[AllRadioisDead]

Cool.

[pwnst*r]

Not for me, but that's pretty neat.

[dragos240]

Hey, are you distributing the src or just the binaries? I don't use ubuntu soo.......

[jeremykross]

Hey, are you distributing the src or just the binaries? I don't use ubuntu soo.......

You know, I'm not sure what my plans are for the code atm. I've certainly thought about open sourcing it, but I'd need to clean it up and document it somewhat. So unfortunately, at present, its only compiled for Ubuntu.

[dragos240]

You know, I'm not sure what my plans are for the code atm. I've certainly thought about open sourcing it, but I'd need to clean it up and document it somewhat. So unfortunately, at present, its only compiled for Ubuntu.

I see. Do you think you could set up a simplistic installer that extracts the binaries (and perhaps libraries) to their correct location? I could probably extract the DEB file and make a shell script but it wouldn't be official.

[jeremykross]

I see. Do you think you could set up a simplistic installer that extracts the binaries (and perhaps libraries) to their correct location? I could probably extract the DEB file and make a shell script but it wouldn't be official.

Yeah, I imagine I can do that. I'll have some time tomorrow to get something together.

[dragos240]

Yeah, I imagine I can do that. I'll have some time tomorrow to get something together.

Hi. I have made a simple shell script for x86 and amd64 users that do not use ubuntu. Could you post a link of it on your site? I will send it to you.

[jeremykross]

Hi. I have made a simple shell script for x86 and amd64 users that do not use ubuntu. Could you post a link of it on your site? I will send it to you.

Absolutely, send it my way. Thanks!

[dragos240]

Absolutely, send it my way. Thanks!

No problem. But take note, this script does NOT resolve dependencies, you must list these in the download page.

[dragos240]

Done! I have sent you the script! Enjoy!

[NoaHall]

If you open source it, I'll give you a hand in my spare time.

[k64]

Proprietary browsers on Linux are GPL violations. No thanks.

[jeremykross]

If you open source it, I'll give you a hand in my spare time.

Thanks for the offer NoaHall. I've put a ton effort into this already and I feel like there's a pretty strong foundation. The client and server are written in C++/Qt with a Mysql data backend. I'm quite comfortable with the code and feel like, with some clean up, others could be brought up to speed fairly rapidly.

I'm getting a bit weary of carrying the load myself. If I'm going to continue the work, I need to see that people are interested and I'm moving in the right direction. Otherwise I'll probably just open source it in its current (somewhat ugly, uncommented) condition and let the community do whatever with it.

[NoaHall]

Thanks for the offer NoaHall. I've put a ton effort into this already and I feel like there's a pretty strong foundation. The client and server are written in C++/Qt with a Mysql data backend. I'm quite comfortable with the code and feel like, with some clean up, others could be brought up to speed fairly rapidly.

I'm getting a bit weary of carrying the load myself. If I'm going to continue the work, I need to see that people are interested and I'm moving in the right direction. Otherwise I'll probably just open source it in its current (somewhat ugly, uncommented) condition and let the community do whatever with it.

Cool, no problem. I think I tested it when it was Alpha, whenever that was, it was pretty good. Let me know when/if you open-source it.

[JDShu]

Proprietary browsers on Linux are GPL violations. No thanks.

No they aren't...

[k64]

No they aren't...

Actually, sublicensing is not permitted by the GPL. Also: Software licensed under the GPL must NOT contain ANY proprietary code.

[NoaHall]

Actually, sublicensing is not permitted by the GPL. Also: Software licensed under the GPL must NOT contain ANY proprietary code.

That's GPL 3. The Linux kernel is GPL 2.

[JDShu]

Actually, sublicensing is not permitted by the GPL. Also: Software licensed under the GPL must NOT contain ANY proprietary code.

You are really confusing me here. Browsers that happen to run on Linux can be under any license.

[Dharmachakra]

Proprietary browsers on Linux are GPL violations. No thanks.

What a joke.

Anyways, looks pretty interesting. Not my cup of tea, but I know a bunch of people would love something like this.

[jeremykross]

I wasn't going to feed the apparent troll, but thankyou to everyone who elucidated the finer points (?) of the gpl.

[kerry_s]

the avatars look annoying, enough people on the page & it would be a orgy. :lolflag: could you imagine the pile up on these forums.

[CJ Master]

Proprietary browsers on Linux are GPL violations. No thanks.

I lol'd.

What language is it in?

[fewt]

Proprietary browsers on Linux are GPL violations. No thanks.

Uhh no. Please, educate yourself before implying you have knowledge of something you clearly know nothing about.

[jeremykross]

the avatars look annoying, enough people on the page & it would be a orgy. :lolflag: could you imagine the pile up on these forums.

Yep, that's true. You can toggle them on or off with F12, and read the chat log instead. Its actually quite fun with lots of people, the most I've had on at once is around 10. The avatars and chat bubbles are nicely animated so its pretty cool watching everyone move about.

The idea here is that you can move your avatar next to content you're interested in and then chat about it visually. Unlike in normal chat rooms, where the cross chatter makes it difficult to carry on a conversation.

@CJ Master
It's written in C++.

[Giant Speck]

Proprietary browsers on Linux are GPL violations. No thanks.

Don't tell the developers of Opera.

[Frak]

Proprietary browsers on Linux are GPL violations. No thanks.

Nope, but you keep believing that.

[dragos240]

Have you added a dependency list yet? I could make an ebuild if that's the case.

[samh785]

Proprietary browsers on Linux are GPL violations. No thanks.
no...?

Honestly that represents the OPPOSITE of freedom :P The GPL doesn't limit what you can or cannot use with GPL software.

[dragos240]

no...?

Honestly that represents the OPPOSITE of freedom :P The GPL doesn't limit what you can or cannot use with GPL software.

Actually, the GPL3 does limit that. However the linux kernel is under the GPL 2.

[samh785]

Actually, the GPL3 does limit that. However the linux kernel is under the GPL 2.
I am not familliar with the GPL 3. Could you quote the section that disallows this?

[Uncle Spellbinder]

Haven't read these yet, but there are several official links regarding GPLv3.

Why Upgrade to GPLv3 (http://www.gnu.org/licenses/rms-why-gplv3.html)

A Quick Guide to GPLv3 (http://www.gnu.org/licenses/quick-guide-gplv3.html)

GNU General Public License Main Page (http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html)

[Frak]

I am not familliar with the GPL 3. Could you quote the section that disallows this?
I won't go quote it, but it has to do with protecting against Microsoft-Novell like deals. Microsoft's answer to this was "that has no legal basis, and we aren't following it". Nothing's been said since then, so meh.

[earthpigg]

love the idea. ill send you an email later and participate in the beta.

if you decide to open source it, i'd encourage you to patent your 'invention' and hand the patent over to the OIN... they may even purchase it from you, if you're lucky. :D

[samh785]

I won't go quote it, but it has to do with protecting against Microsoft-Novell like deals. Microsoft's answer to this was "that has no legal basis, and we aren't following it". Nothing's been said since then, so meh.
ok, thank you :)

[earthpigg]

the more i think about it, the more potential i see for fun.

i can see me and a group of friends all using this, and playing a little 'game' with it. each person rotates trek leadership every 10-15 minutes, and everyone must look at/read/etc whatever the trek leader is surfing to.

(set up ground rules about porn, etc, ahead of time)

[samh785]

Just got my invite, and I have to say that this is some really impressive stuff. There is a load of potential here to do all kinds of conferencing and group browsing.

If anybody wants an invite, pm me.

[jeremykross]

the more i think about it, the more potential i see for fun.

i can see me and a group of friends all using this, and playing a little 'game' with it. each person rotates trek leadership every 10-15 minutes, and everyone must look at/read/etc whatever the trek leader is surfing to.

(set up ground rules about porn, etc, ahead of time)

Yes, yes. You get it. That's the idea.

[thatguruguy]

That does, indeed, look pretty cool. Does everything go through your server? Does that mean you track where everyone who uses the Trek Browser goes? Do you track what messages they pass back and forth?

[earthpigg]

That does, indeed, look pretty cool. Does everything go through your server? Does that mean you track where everyone who uses the Trek Browser goes? Do you track what messages they pass back and forth?

or does it work like jabber with (as i understand it) no central server? :P

[aktiwers]

Pretty cool - I send you a invite request + a thumbs up on StumbleUpon :P

[mamamia88]

not the worst idea ever but probably not something i would use

[jeremykross]

or does it work like jabber with (as i understand it) no central server? :P

Originally I wanted Trek to be totally p2p. I was aiming for the stars, I knew it would be a tremendous challenge to achieve that.

Eventually I settled on using a central server.

[earthpigg]

@jeremykross - i see you're chatting up my friend kay/kaylana from utopiaforums :P

[jeremykross]

@jeremykross - i see you're chatting up my friend kay/kaylana from utopiaforums :P

yep, Trek has finally come of age.

edit:
--You should join us.

[earthpigg]

would be rude to install stuff on my girlfriends computer without her permission.

[samh785]

The creator would like to test how many people the server can operate with in its current state. Don't be afraid to ask for an invite and see what it's like.