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MeshCore development team splits over trademark dispute and AI-generated code

blog.meshcore.io

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Re: MeshCore development team splits over trademark dispute and AI-generated code

#91

Post by walrus01 »

tbyehl wrote: post #4
Trannosaur wrote: post #2

What is it with mesh projects and having these super draconian trademark enforcers? Meshtastic is the same. One of the main reasons I got interested in MeshCore was reading the Meshtastic trademark rules and just finding them... really really over the top.

I don't know any of the players but I'd bet they're licensed amateur radio operators.

Speaking as a person who works professionally in fcc part 101 licensed point to point microwave systems carrying IP data, I have less than zero patience for the BS and shenanigans of analog ham radio enthusiasts.

They always want to posture as if they'll be some critical service every emergency responder comes running to in a major disaster and it rarely if ever happens.

In the interests of not reinventing the wheel, you can see here in the same thread the comment from many other posters about the problems that they have with the behavior, attitude, and perspective of many ham radio operators.

Re: MeshCore development team splits over trademark dispute and AI-generated code

#92

Post by walrus01 »

jauntywundrkind wrote: post #32

Spicy take but I think this whole Lora thing is a dead end bad technology not worth our time. Wifi HaLow 802.11ah is finally out & available, sometimes at ok prices. We don't really have ad-hoc communication pioneered for wifi, but it's doable and we ought lean into it, rather than using some totally different stack, especially one that is under strict control of a single company. What we learn doing wifi halow can d…

LoRA is extensively used in Ukraine right now as a UAV control rf link to bridge serial uart from ground control system to uav. In its most narrow channel configurations at lower bps and using things like 1.2GHz tuned yage antennas it can have some very robust jamming resistance.

Re: MeshCore development team splits over trademark dispute and AI-generated code

#93

Post by brewtide »

fooqux wrote: post #90
randerson wrote: post #87

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Perhaps there are others in your neighborhood in the same position, who would only get into it if there were other nodes. So be the first, get your friends into it, and maybe more nodes will follow. It's only $30 or so for a device. They have a decent range (15 miles or more) so depending on how rural you are, you might be able to create a line of repeaters back to a major population center.

Lol, I'm rural enough that the concept of "neighborhood" has no meaning here. I'd have to have a neighbor first. And friends all live further away than 15 miles. Your point still stands though.

I literally just put the meshtastic antenna on the roof today, in an old services box. Been in the window for months, had a few weird perfect weather moments show a few nodes and a ping. Put it on the roof, hours ago, nothing yet.

Someone has to start up the area! (I live in nowhere maine).

Re: MeshCore development team splits over trademark dispute and AI-generated code

#94

Post by MBCook »

I’ve never used this project and don’t know anyone involved.

But it sure seems interesting how every time I hear about someone just doing a “rewrite it all with AI“ they seem to turn out to be a giant jerk.

Maybe not the only one. I don’t know enough backstory to judge how trustworthy this post is.

But the signal to noise ratio on my little test above seems pretty good.

Re: MeshCore development team splits over trademark dispute and AI-generated code

#95

Post by doug_durham »

IshKebab wrote: post #57
nonethewiser wrote: post #40

>We have always been wary of AI generated code, but felt everyone is free to do what they want and experiment, etc. But, one of our own, Andy Kirby, decided to branch out and extensively use Claude Code, and has decided to aggressively take over all of the components of the MeshCore ecosystem: standalone devices, mobile app, web flasher and web config tools. >And, he’s kept that small detail a secret - that it’s all…

> Is the code bad? It sounds like they had no idea he was using AI. That seems to imply there was nothing wrong with the code as-is. Why not judge it on it's merits? Anyone that has used AI at all knows this isn't how it works. AI is extremely good at producing plausible-but-wrong outputs. It's literally optimised for plausibility, which happens to coincide with correctness a lot of the time. When it doesn't you get…

Just read the code. There is nothing keeping people from reading the code.

Re: MeshCore development team splits over trademark dispute and AI-generated code

#96

Post by DrewADesign »

busterarm wrote: post #53
jimnotgym wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have an amateur radio licence and I agree. One reason I rarely operate... I always found it interesting how many useful little apps hams write, keep them closed source and then...die.

It's kind of alarming how much more enjoyable the less legal communities in the radio hobby are to spend time around.

I get the sense that a lot of the hams I’ve met have a framed hall-monitor sash from their high school years.

I’ve been sniffing around it as a hobby for decades but there are just a ton of people involved that clearly are exorcising trauma from being bullied or feeling marginalized in their life on a whole. Following and enforcing the rules seemed like the beef big draw for a sadly large chunk of them.

Re: MeshCore development team splits over trademark dispute and AI-generated code

#97

Post by DrewADesign »

dostick wrote: post #10
busterarm wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

IYKYK. Hams are known for a distinctive personality type that can be at strong odds from other tech people and other comms people. Usually in ways that clash with consequences. I know a few hams that are chill and they are precious doves. I know quite a few more who I won't even engage with for fear of crossing them and them dedicating their lives to making mine hell. Because I've seen them do it to others. That's no…

What is IYKYK ? If you know you know?

IYKYK

Re: MeshCore development team splits over trademark dispute and AI-generated code

#98

Post by stingraycharles »

consp wrote: post #56
prism56 wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Agreed. I use meshcore and have multiple repeaters setup. I don't care about people using ai assisted coding but I think it should be disclosed especially if its closed source. Now the trademark take over seems crazy especially given Andy hasn't contributed to the github project, only personal for profit add ons. I do also think that the meshcore core team have "tacked on" and tried to enforce a stronger narrative wi…

> only personal for profit add ons In that context it is quite logical to take a trademark out once the project is mature enough so you can profit off other people's work. Considering their user base does not like the hidden vibe coded idea I don't think this is bias but a sane rationalisation.

There’s a lot of framing in how questions are asked. I’m going to bet asking the community “Would you like more features if they’re made using AI assistance?” is going to get wildly different results.

Re: MeshCore development team splits over trademark dispute and AI-generated code

#99

Post by DrewADesign »

bb88 wrote: post #86
fooqux wrote: post #76

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'd love to get a node working just for fun. But it also seems like a waste since I'm extremely rural. The closest node is 200+ miles away. The chances of seeing any other device but my own connect to it seem slim. Is there still a reason to do this?

I ended up getting a ham radio license and now I get to use technology that actually works (even if it's a little more janky than meshtastic/reticulum). My friend is across town and I should be able to hit him with the line of sight meshtastic repeater from my house, but I've never been able to. OTOH, we can hear each other clear on any of the ham bands.

For hobby usage, ham is fantastic. For decentralized communication for the general public, which seems to be Meshcore/Meshtastic’s goal, it’s a nonstarter. There’s just too big a barrier to entry.
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