tag archive: words

I’d like to propose the word “bytesore” to be used as a digital variant of “eyesore.”

Possible definitions:

bytesore: A web site, service, or computer program that is unpleasant or ugly or offensive.

bytesore: A displeasing web site or computer program; one that is prominently ugly or unsightly.

Example usage: movingtofreedom.org is a disgusting, wretched bytesore.

Here’s a short link for spreading the word: http://fwib.net/byte

Thank you for your assistance in meme propagation.

(Update: Now in the Urban Dictionary: bytesore.)

Originally published in Free Software Magazine, 30 October 2006.

Which do you like best: the satisfying, rich taste of principle in free software? Or do you prefer the less morally filling and pragmatic goodness of open source? Do you wish people would stop endlessly rehashing the whole question of “free” versus “open source?” Or do you enjoy the chance to talk about goals and philosophy? As you might suspect, since I’m bringing it up…

…I like to talk about it. Is it too soon, though, following the lengthy debate stirred up by the recent “What should we call it?” FSM poll? Too dividing? Pointless? Do I ask a lot of questions?

Let’s turn to our lodestar, Richard Stallman, for some answers. What’s that, you say? “That RMS guy is the cause of all the trouble! …