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Solaris download site seeks funds

Stephen Shankland Former Principal Writer
Stephen Shankland worked at CNET from 1998 to 2024 and wrote about processors, digital photography, AI, quantum computing, computer science, materials science, supercomputers, drones, browsers, 3D printing, USB, and new computing technology in general. He has a soft spot in his heart for standards groups and I/O interfaces. His first big scoop was about radioactive cat poop.
Expertise Processors, semiconductors, web browsers, quantum computing, supercomputers, AI, 3D printing, drones, computer science, physics, programming, materials science, USB, UWB, Android, digital photography, science. Credentials
  • Shankland covered the tech industry for more than 25 years and was a science writer for five years before that. He has deep expertise in microprocessors, digital photography, computer hardware and software, internet standards, web technology, and more.
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Stephen Shankland

Blastwave, a site that builds free software for use on Sun Microsystems' Solaris operating system and lets people download it, is seeking donations.

"Blastwave needs your support to function and to grow. Please do not make the assumption that someone else will pay for this software service," a note on the site said.

Administrator Dennis Clarke said in an e-mail he is too busy "picking up pieces" and "putting out fires" for a detailed description of the site's status, but did add, "The website and software mirror are running in limp mode."

The site is to an extent a victim of its own success. Downloads of software packages have increased from 185,000 in October 2004 to 493,000 in August 2005. That doesn't include downloads from 30 mirrors of the software site.