SourceForge, the online source code repository, recently faced backlash for bundling adware with free and open-source software downloads. Following the criticism, it posted a blog post on June 8 to provide insight into how it intends to generate ad revenue in the future.
The website backtracked a bit in addressing the adware bundling that has left many people feeling unsettled in using its resources. SourceForge claimed that it was a test to see how palatable these types of ads would be among its users, according to MaximumPC. The site also confirmed using the Windows version of the GNU Image Manipulation Program, or GIMP, during its test.
In light of the controversy, GIMP published its own blog posts on the matter, condemning SourceForge for its behavior.
“To us, this firmly places SourceForge among the dodgy crowd of download sites,” GIMP stated. “SourceForge are abusing the trust that we and our users had put into their service in the past. We don’t believe that this is a fixable situation.”
Although GIMP is now coming out with this negative reaction, SourceForge notes that the GIMP-Win author stopped using SourceForge back in 2013. In short, the entire partnership between the two was abandoned long ago.
Looking ahead, SourceForge claims that it will continue to facilitate feedback, and it is encouraging users to share their opinions on the SourceForge forum. It also confirmed that it has discontinued its ad test following “tremendous concern among community members.”
SourceForge acknowledged that it received complaints about its ad quality last year. It has since developed a program to remove ads that mimic user interface elements or show malice, and it asks users to be patient during the removal process. At the same time, the site also reiterated its dedication to advertising.
“SourceForge is and has always been a business endeavor,” it stated. “From the early days, one of our primary sources of revenue has been advertising.”
The absolutely absurd idea of putting a touchscreen display on a mouse isn't exactly new. Turtle Beach already did it with its Command Series MC7, which features a 2.25-inch control screen. But apparently, even that wasn't ridiculous enough for Arctic Fox Technologies. Its new Super Mouse looks like someone took the chunky old Atari ST mouse, slapped a touchscreen and scroll wheel on it, and called it an upgrade.
The result is a rather unusual-looking mouse that is now on Kickstarter, starting at $199. And as ridiculous as it looks, some of its features are genuinely intriguing.
Apple is less than a day away from launching its highly anticipated OLED MacBook Pro with a touch-sensitive screen. But it appears that the upgrade is going to cost a pretty penny. According to a report by Bloomberg, Apple is reportedly eyeing a starting price of $2,899 for the 14-inch MacBook Pro, while the 16-inch version could start at $3,399 in the US.
"At $2,899, the 14-inch model would mark the highest starting price for a new MacBook Pro model, surpassing the $2,799 Apple charged for a 17-inch version introduced in 2006," says the report. The report claims that Apple is targeting a minimum price hike of $400 for its upcoming redesigned 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models.
I've spent a good amount of time digging into the spec sheet of the new M6 MacBook Pro (14-inch), and for all intents and purposes, this is a classic Apple "chip and connectivity" refresh. It's not a full redesign. The chassis, Liquid Retina XDR panel, speakers, ports, and battery, all of them carry over unchanged.
However, the M6 brings more cores, stronger on-device AI, higher memory bandwidth on the larger configs, and modern wireless. Here’s the practical rundown of what actually improved, and whether those gains are worth your money.