At 02:20 PM 3/15/2002 +0000, you wrote: >Ok, now I am totally confused. Open source has a very specific meaning. >And this isn't it. If the source isn't going to be generally available, it >isn't open source, and you shouldn't call it that.
I think we can expect the source code to be available, but any "official" changes to the code would have to go through the registrar. For some Open Source means using the "official" Open Source license. For others Open Source means all source code licenses (including the GPL). For Richard Stallman (founder of the GNU Project), Open Source and the GPL are not the same thing. The SMSQ/E project can use pretty much what ever license that is available, or create a new one. I don't think the GPL would fit for our project, but some other related license might. I think it would be up to the community (and really TT) as to the specifics of the license. Open Source does not mean that the source code cannot be put on a CD and sold. The GNU folks used to charge $150 for tapes of GNU software. I'd be willing to put down some money to get the source code and any documentation that goes with it. I highly recommend that a group of folks get together at the next big QL show and hash out the initial details in person. Divide the entire projects into smaller chunks and start getting volunteers to take on each chunk. Documenting the source code could be broken down and distributed. Speaking of documentation, I think the subject of the QDOS/SMSQ/E and QPTR documentation needs to be discussed as this is still being sold commercially. If the docs do also become available with the source code, we'll need to find a way to offset the loss to any vendors involved. I think a fully open SMSQ/E would benefit the entire QL community, but it will cause some loss to some (namely vendors). We will need to address this issue. If we pass the hat, maybe a certain amount of the sum should go to the vendors too, and not just TT. Jochen, since you are probably going to be the most effected, time now to get up and say your piece. Let us know how much this might hurt your business and suggest ways we can offset the loss. Tim Swenson
