hacked.worksDec 29, 2022
Stargirl

Okay! 👏

I want to spend the new few months focusing on building an interactive, open source, browser-based KiCAD file viewer.

I'm looking for sponsorship to make that happen, and I'd love if you'd consider it. Here's a link to the details:

https://theacodes.notion.site/KiCanvas-3252a399e64a4d78b6c7309ea62457eb

Sharing always appreciated 💜

KiCanvas

Hi there! Thanks for dropping by. I’m Thea and I’m creating an open source, interactive web viewer for KiCAD’s files and I’m looking for folks to financially sponsor my work on this. There’s no hard sell here- I’ll tell you what I’m trying to accomplish and what I’ve done so far and you can decide if you’d like to financially contribute so I can spend more time on this.

Thea on Notion
Dec 29, 2022 at 1:37amWeb
Show threadKen KeiterDec 29, 2022
@stargirl If I was not currently unemployed, I'd be sponsoring 👍
Show threadStargirlDec 29, 2022
@kenkeiter That's okay!
Show threadBrian CampbellDec 29, 2022
@stargirl can I read about it without signing up for something? The link you provide asks for an email address, login with Google or Apple, or installing a mobile app; I just wanted to read about the project, and possibly support it, but I don't want to create yet another account somewhere just to do so.
Show threadStargirlDec 29, 2022
@unlambda oh no it looks like that link got butchered somehow, here's the right one: https://theacodes.notion.site/KiCanvas-3252a399e64a4d78b6c7309ea62457eb
KiCanvas

Hi there! Thanks for dropping by. I’m Thea and I’m creating an open source, interactive web viewer for KiCAD’s files and I’m looking for folks to financially sponsor my work on this. There’s no hard sell here- I’ll tell you what I’m trying to accomplish and what I’ve done so far and you can decide if you’d like to financially contribute so I can spend more time on this.

Thea on Notion
Show threadBrian CampbellDec 29, 2022
@stargirl much better, thanks!
Show threadPiotr Esden-TempskiDec 29, 2022
@stargirl I am glad you decided to jump into this. Do you think this has the potential to become an integrated viewer in github? As it is the case for csv, maps and some other data formats that have github previews?
Show threadStargirlDec 29, 2022
@esden Yes! One of the post-initial-release goals is to create browser extensions to do exactly that, then we can figure out how to convince GitHub/GitLab to integrate it.
Show threadPiotr Esden-TempskiDec 29, 2022
@stargirl Marvelous! I have already submitted my pledge through the company. I hope you have fun developing the new tool. Thank you for all your efforts! :) Happy new year! :D
Show threadStargirlDec 29, 2022
@esden thank you so much!!
Show threadjasegDec 29, 2022
@stargirl @esden JFYI, the KiCad parts library folks are currently working on improving their CI infra (on gitlab.com), and a tool like this would be super useful. When you get on to this, I'd love to contribute schematic library and footprint library viewing support.
Show threadStargirlDec 29, 2022
@jaseg @esden heck yeah! Feel free to join my Discord or drop me an email if you wanna coordinate. :)
Show threadfunkfingerDec 29, 2022
@stargirl is there a git repo?
Show threadStargirlDec 29, 2022
@funkfinger only for early access sponsors. Once the initial version is ready, it'll be public. :)
Show threadGarrett MaceDec 29, 2022
@stargirl Good stuff. Poked around through my active subscriptions, canceled one, and shifted that over to this awesomeness.
Show threadStargirlDec 29, 2022
@macegr Thank you! I hate to take support away from another creator, but I trust your judgment!
Show threadGarrett MaceDec 29, 2022
@stargirl Don't worry, it was for a large corporation not another OSS person or anything!
Show threadJonathan ‘theJPster’ PallantDec 29, 2022
@stargirl I use cadlab.io currently (https://cadlab.io/project/26331/develop/files) and as much as I’d rather not give github and gitlab more power, your tool does look nicer and work better.
Neotron-Pico - Files | CADLAB.io

Download the files for the Neotron-Pico DIY project.

Show threadStargirlDec 29, 2022
@thejpster thankfully, this will be completely open source and I don't work for any bigcorp.
Show threadorionrobotsDec 29, 2022
@stargirl This feels like something Github would like to have - to match their STL file viewers and similar.
Show threadBogumil ZetDec 29, 2022
@stargirl It's been a long time since I switched to another CAD, mostly because of professional reasons, but I am really happy seeing how KiCAD evolved. Great work of yours or @mikolaj among all of the other endorsers and developers cannot be overrated, so I happily give some coins towards the glory of KiCAD ;)
Show threadStargirlDec 29, 2022
@angrycat @mikolaj thank you so much! KiCAD has really grown a lot in the last two years.
Show threadSocial Justice Warrior🦍Dec 29, 2022
@stargirl Who are the target audience? Engineers?
Show threadStargirlDec 29, 2022
@vegafjord anyone who wants to share or view schematics and PCB designs.
Show threadFalkoDec 29, 2022
@stargirl https://Ko-fi.com/home/coffeeshop?txid=f9909a2b-c168-4a9f-bae3-55a1a00712ad&mode=public&img=ogiboughtsomeone done! Nice project. Hope it works out.
Show threadStargirlDec 29, 2022
@volkersfreunde Thank you so much!
Show threadshurik179Dec 30, 2022
@stargirl signed up - happy to sponsor such a project.
Show threadStargirlDec 30, 2022
@shurik179 thank you so much!
Show threadperigosoDec 30, 2022
@stargirl I want to sponsor, but can't right now, let's hope I don't forget within a weeks time!
Show threadClaudius (legacy account)Dec 30, 2022
@stargirl May I ask why you are planning on using MIT license? KiCad itself is licensed as GPLv3. Would it make sense to have these be governed under the same license in case this eventually becomes a part of KiCad?
Show threadStargirlDec 31, 2022
@claudius I didn't see any reason to use the far more restrictive GPL.
Show threadClaudius (legacy account)Dec 31, 2022
@stargirl the project retains slightly more control over it, in my opinion. MIT vs GPL is basically the distinction between Open Source and Free Software, and Open Source is easily exploited by companies (neatly summed up in this extract from an interview: https://mastodon.social/@nixCraft/109602802273989943 )
Show threadStargirlDec 31, 2022
@claudius do you realize who you're explaining this to?
Show threadClaudius (legacy account)Dec 31, 2022

@stargirl you wrote that you did not see a reason for GPL, so I tried to argue for it with one of the reasons I personally find most compelling.

I may have gone somewhat heavy on the context. I'm sorry for that.

Show threadStargirlDec 31, 2022
@claudius I assure you that I am quite aware of the semantic, legal, and practical differences between reciprocal and permissive licenses, and that I made the decision to use a permissive license entirely on purpose knowing full well the ramifications of doing so. Furthermore, I am the opposite of a copyright maximalist, so I fundamentally disagree with GPL on premise.
Show threadGrantDec 31, 2022
@stargirl need to figure out how to make something with kicad