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I came across a wooden word watch on kickstarter. I like the concept and the approach this chap took (see also Imgur post on building this watch).
I have little more to add except that it felt like the kind of thing I'd love to see on SN, so here you go. I am not involved with this in any way and am (currently) not even backing this. But I just thought it was a cool story about engineering, and I figured it'd be appreciated. I am also kind of hoping some of the reactions will point out similarly cool small tech projects, so please do respond in the comments with your own SoyVertisements of cool, independent projects!
[Ed Note: We occasionally receive self-promoting story submissions. These are quickly noted as 'bin spam' and unceremoniously passed over for use on the site. (You can well imagine what would happen to the submissions queue were we to do otherwise!) This submission does not seem to fall into that category, but it does nudge up against it. The tipping point for my accepting this story is based on three factors. The submitter has been with the site since nearly its inception. (Submissions from ACs and newly-created-accounts just for submitting a self-promoting story will continue to be looked at very askance.) Another factor is the submitter receives no remuneration or benefit from the submission. Lastly, the item in question does look interesting to me and I think it would be of interest to the community. So, if you do [not] want to see more stories like this, on occasion, please indicate so in the comments. Also, any suggestions as to factors to use to assess these kinds of submissions for acceptance are also appreciated. --martyb]
(Score: 3, Informative) by bradley13 on Thursday August 24 2017, @05:39AM (3 children)
Looks like a copy-cat to me: This words-only clock came out in the German-speaking world a few years ago. [qlocktwo.com] Certainly copyright infringement, if the Qlocktwo people want to pursue it.
Everyone is somebody else's weirdo.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday August 24 2017, @08:14AM (2 children)
Are you saying he copied the source code? Where exactly is the infringement? You can't copyright a style or looks. (But sadly you can patent it... ask crApple)
(Score: 2) by bradley13 on Thursday August 24 2017, @09:39AM (1 child)
You're right, it wouldn't be copyright, it would be a design patent that protects the appearance.
Look, it's a cool idea, and ideas can be copied. But the guy has left the design nearly identical to the Qlocktwo watch [design-milk.com]. His only substantial change is the material: where the Qlocktwo watch is in metal, his is wooden. Otherwise, the appearance is nearly identical. He needs to make some substantial change: put the words in a spiral, maybe, with a circular dial.
As it is, he's going to get sued, or at least get his project shut down. Stupid.
Everyone is somebody else's weirdo.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by FatPhil on Thursday August 24 2017, @02:34PM
Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people; the smallest discuss themselves