machine-envy

My article in techtank on software patents went up some time last week. They seem to have decided they don’t do bylines anymore, but I promise I wrote it.

I’ve been holding out for Index on Censorship to publish a meatier software patents article I submitted a couple of weeks ago. All I can say is careful what you wish for. It went up this afternoon, but an over-enthusiastic editing job has rendered it factually inaccurate, not to say damaging to the anti-patent lobby, in several key respects.

So if you’ve come to this site to get my email so you can write something rude to me, hold your horses. Rohan at Index is a very talented editor, and I was really pleased with the last job he did on my Elvis piece (currently offline due to site refurbishment - anyone know a mirror?), he’s got a real way with words. I guess it just goes to show that when it comes to European bureaucracy, intellectual property law and software programming, a little bit of background knowledge goes a long way.

I’ve spoken to Index and they’re going to resolve the issue - somehow. I wish they’d just take it down. Hopefully we can get towards publishing something halfway accurate forthwith. The fatalist in me just hopes this isn’t a bad sign, what with the votes taking place tomorrow.

BTW - I’m well aware how awful it is when writers piss and moan about the way editors treat their work.