I initially tried FUTO and switched to Heliboard (which uses a closed-source glide typing library) because FUTO’s open-source version frankly sucked.
I didn’t know I could make it better.
Credit to @Nednarb44@lemmy.world :
It takes a lot of time and a lot of peoples typing data from my understanding. It’s relatively easy for Google to make the glide/Swype type since they have a huge amount of peoples typing data. FUTO on the other hand has been making an open source version for probably 6 months or so no, solely relying on volunteers inputting words on their website.
For those interested in helping make the library better: https://swype.futo.org/ (it
probablyonly works on mobile)
I don’t agree with OSI either, and think their licenses are exploitative. But their definition is useful to call out orgs like FUTO.
The solution to devs being exploited by big tech is the GPL or AGPL, not whatever FUTO is doing. They’re trying to have their cake and eat it too: earn the goodwill that comes from claiming you’re open source, while keeping the same restrictions in place you’d see in a commercial software package, which keep users locked down to one vendor (aka “free beer” rather than “freedom”)
This isn’t a new idea invented by FUTO, it’s called “source available”. Gitlab is another example of this, as is Unreal Engine, and many others.
I really suggest you read the post. Your arguments have already been addressed there. GPL and AGPL do absolutely nothing for maintainer and dev compensation.