I didn't know who Carl Malamud was an hour ago, but he is close to being one of my heroes now. I moved in to a 160 year old house with a TON of problems recently. I could tell by looking at a lot of the recent work that it wasn't done up to code, but I had no idea what the correct way to do the work actually was. Homeowners are allowed to do their own work in Chicago, even without a license, but obviously you still have to follow code.<p>Now Chicago has it's entire building code online, but a lot of the code for things like electrical and plumbing are incorporated by reference. Most of the work I've done has been based on what the guys at the supply houses have told me code is. Most people probably wouldn't consider this a problem, because they hire licensed contractors, but I've also had work done by licensed contractors that doesn't meet code, and the only way I would have known is because I called somebody who had access to the actual code. Giving people access to the code allows people to know when they are being fleeced.<p>On a similar note, access to the building code gave me the ability to back myself up with facts in an argument with a building super who didn't want to provide any place to lock my bike. Building code in Chicago requires a certain number of places for bikes to be parked, and the only way you can avoid having a bike rack outside is if you provide an indoor space for bikes. I initially asked the building manger nicely for a place to lock or store my bike, and he basically sent out a mass email to all tenants that belittled anyone who thought that the city bike racks two blocks away were unsuitable for locking bikes. Without access to the city code, I wouldn't have been able to call him out on his bullshit. I've since used the city code several more times in arguments with him, and I've brought my fellow tenants on board. It's a really powerful tool. Before we started using the city code, the building manger would just bully anyone who dared to bring concerns to him.<p>After my experiences with the building super, I can really only see positive effects from open laws. There are a lot of people in positions of power who avoid following the law by bullying others into doubting whether they are in the right. Being able to use the law to back yourself up is very rewarding.
Go Carl!<p>One way to support his work is by donating here:<p><a href="https://public.resource.org/" rel="nofollow">https://public.resource.org/</a><p>And to better understand his passion for this space, see his memorial speech at Aaron Swartz's memorial at the Internet Archive:<p><a href="https://youtu.be/VllJDnMcTzM" rel="nofollow">https://youtu.be/VllJDnMcTzM</a>
This is an important style but I find this style of journalism infuriating. It's hard to follow because there'll be a bit of information and then a transition into some unrelated background before it (hopefully) circles back to the original point.<p>It's almost like writing a college paper and having to pad out the word count.<p>Anyway, I support the straightforward principle that the law isn't the law if it's not accessible to the public.<p>The only question left is how do you fund standards development if you abolish the model (that predates the Internet) of selling copies. I suspect the answer is going to be different on a case by case basis.<p>For example, general contractors and tradesmen depending on jurisdiction need to be licensed. A mix of license fees and government funding could pay for building or fire codes.
Keep it up Carl. Your not the only one. I help fight Westlaw and put the Oklahoma State Constitution and Statutes online. www.oklegislature.gov / tsrs_os_oc.aspx
There is a simple solution. When a state incorporates a work by reference into the law, there's a pretty cogent case that that constitutes a "taking" - ie, they've essentially seized the work for public use. Whichever legislature is doing the taking should cut a check to whomever they took the code from.<p>It would be a similar situation if, for instance, the Nevada legislature decided they were going to put on showings of Star Wars each night in front of the capitol, or erect a copy of a copyrighted sculpture.
A rubbish question, but if you build your house in accordance to the published codes but don't purchase a copy, are you infringing their copyright by adhering to the standards?
It's only because of the heroic work of Carl Malamud that new services like up.codes is possible. This service will bring clarity to the insane complexity exhibited by construction regulation.<p>(Disclaimer: I have a personal interest in that startup)
> Trying to determine whether these standards should be as freely distributed as are other parts of the law, the ABA is proposing a compromise, known as Resolution 112. Malamud opposes it. Because ABA positions are taken often taken seriously by Congress, he has come to San Francisco to fight it.<p>I don't know if the last sentence is true. Here is a list of ABA propositions from last year: <a href="http://www.americanbar.org/news/reporter_resources/midyear-meeting-2015/house-of-delegates-resolutions.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.americanbar.org/news/reporter_resources/midyear-m...</a>. Lots of feel-good stuff Congress totally ignores (e.g. urges Congress to adopt laws to protect wild animals).
You are required to obey laws that are not available to you - in the time before Snowden I would find such statement extremely bizarre, now I understand secret law is a thing. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secret_law" rel="nofollow">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secret_law</a>
I stopped reading this on mobile because backchannel.com has the most initiative intrusive dropdown-popup nag every 10-20 seconds demanding you log in.
Is "Analyzing Sun Networks" out of print?<p>I remember this book as being quite good.<p>So many of those "old" Sun ideas are still around today, in one form or another.
> (More recently, he tried another company with Rose based on the Internet of Things, but that also failed.)<p>Anyone know where I can find more on this?
The first time I heard Carl was in the early 90's on his audio program "Geek of the Week". He had all the top dogs on at the time. Mike O'Dell from UUnet, etc It was a fantastic show!
I think you can find copies on the Internet Archive now. I go back and listen to them frequently. GREAT little gems packed here and there in those shows.<p>Glad to see him getting some press!