Re: [ql-users] Isn't it open source?

["Phoebus R. Dokos (Φοίβος Ρ. Ντόκος)"]

On Wed, 15 Oct 2003 18:58:03 +0200, Wolfgang Lenerz <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 
wrote:

Hi Wolfgang,
<Snipped the whole previous message>
As answering to individual points makes a little difficult to concentrate 
my whole argument I will write a response with two examples on why the 
current license can in effect hamper developments and why it's extremely 
confusing in itself. I will also add why I believe that Internet 
distributions is imperative in my (very humble) opinion

Example 1.

Case 1. Lets assume that IOSS is modified and drivers from other OSes are 
capable to be ported. Lets also assume that these are linux drivers and by 
default Free Software. Even if possible to integrate a Linux driver to 
SMSQ/E we cannot do so as its license clashes with the SMSQ/E license (as 
you mentioned yourself in Marcel's argument of distribution under two 
separate licenses). That in itself closes the door to systems software 
from other platforms. (Doesn't affect applications software of course)
Case 2. Lets take QLwIP that Peter wrote (and works as we can see from his 
emails). If we want to give SMSQ/E TCP functionality by somehow 
integrating QLwIP into SMSQ/E then we again clash with its license (QLwIP 
is a port of A. Dunkels wIP that is Free Software). It is illegal to do so 
therefore on the regular version of SMSQ/E.

The only way that therefore you could integrate something like that with 
the OS would be in the form of patches, something that was the cause of a 
big brawl in this list when it came to that "Software Pirates in our 
midst" thread if you recall. Here therefore comes Example 2 (Hypothetical 
situation that may or may not bore resemblence to actual persons and 
events)

Example 2.
Suppose UU (TT +1 ;-)  at one point in time gives permission to Marcel 
Graf and Peter Kilgus to sell a specific version of SDQOS. (SuperDuperQL 
Operating System). Marcel goes and makes a machine called Futura and Peter 
an emulator called SDQE (SuperDuperQLEmulator). They both get no 
permission to modify the source (the OS at that point is proprietary 
software) and they carry on doing so. At one point UU decides to open up 
the sources more or less but makes a license like the SMSQ/E current one. 
Neither Marcel or Peter acquire the sources but want to make their 
creation compatible. Peter patches the emulator to behave differently and 
Marcel creates a patch for the software (again he doesn't base his work on 
the sources and neither does Peter). The result is a compatible SDQOS (at 
least for the user) with the newest changed license version. Are they 
breaking the law or violating the license?  Marcel even goes on and allows 
his agents (C & C systems) to sell the early version of the OS patched 
just as he did before. Doesn't the "agency" legal principle make his 
agents legal as well (if he was legal in the first place)?

You can see how confusing the status can be just by that.

Thirdly. here is why I think that internet distribution is necessary.

Point 1. Linux (the DEFINITION of Free Software) would not be possible 
without the Internet
Point 2. No OTHER Free Software, nor the GNU project would be possible 
without the Internet
Point 3. Internet distribution of the sources can lure MC68K hobbyists to 
the platform whereas Wolfgang Lenerz known and respected thoughout the QL 
world but most probably an unknown entity to say an Atari ST user or a 
simple coldfire board manufacturer/hobbyist will not (Unless of course he 
changes his name to Linus Torvalds ;-) hehe just a joke here)
Point 4. Survival of a platform is based on adoption. If you throw a 
really Free SMSQ/E on say Savannah or SourceForge you will get at least 10 
or 20 people to have a look-see. If you win half (sic!) of them you gained 
a potential whole new tree of QL users (and developers).
Point 5. A publicly available CVS server gives any project the "air" of 
maintenance. A snail-mail only distribution does not (That of course 
applies to a stagnant webpage with a couple of files to download but still 
the exposure is greater). This "air" is attractive to many people.

There are many other reasons but this is the most important I think

Phoebus
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