Hi All, Thanks very much for the additional feedback. As before, I've compiled the feedback since the last version, and included a new version (v1.3) at the bottom of this email.
Any final comments? -Stuart Vivian wrote: >Typo? > >... at not cost from ... Fixed. >Awkward tautology? > >... we are aware of. As far as we are aware ... I've made this more definite (see comments from Lee) LeeE wrote: >Paragraph 1. Replace word 'heavily' for 'widely and actively'. Done. >Paragraph 2. Replace 'develop' with 'distribute' - modification is >the same as development. Correct typo of 'not' to 'no' Done. >Paragraph 3. Remove unnecessary emphasis 'very heavily' Given that they have acknowledged that their product is based on FG, I felt it worthwhile to emphasise the level that had been taken to. They have claimed to have made significant improvements over FG, but there is no evidence of this. >FAQ 2. Remove reference to 'our' developers determining anything >conclusively' entirely. What is the point of saying that we don't >know something? Various people (including myself) have done a fair bit of digging into their distributed source-code. While at one level it appears that they are compliant, there are enough question-marks that I felt it was worth pointing out. Removing this might be read as indicating that we think they are in compliance. I've replaced the phrase with "We do not know if this is the case or not." >FAQ 3. Remove reference to 'restrictions' detailed in the GPL and >replace with 'conditions'. Remove elaboration on what the GPL (v2) >does or doesn't mean. The link to the licence in FAQ 2. is >sufficient. The only lack of clarity in the GPL licence comes from >not reading it carefully enough; it was developed to be >understandable to software developers and doesn't need legal advice >to be understood (unless you're trying to find a way around it). >Correct typo of second 'is' to 'it'. Done. >FAQ 6. Remove any uncertainty. Explicitly refer to the FlightGear >project and just answer No. Done. > FAQ 7. Remove this FAQ entirely - it is irrelevant and just smacks > of emotional bitterness. I've changed this to a "No". I think it has some relevance, as there has been some suggestion that they have contributed on other message-boards. >New FAQ 7 (was FAQ 8). Don't suggest any details about whatever >contract exists between FPS and the buyer, especially when we can't >say anything with certainty; we're just saying that we don't know >again. Done. Arnt wrote: >> "Q: Is it legal to sell a copy of FlightGear, whether re-branded or >> not ? A: Yes, provided the seller >> respects > /\/\/\/\ > >..say:" complies to " or " is in compliance with " >or " acts in compliance with "... Good point. Done. ====== FlightGear Flight Pro Sim Statement (v1.2): As many people will be aware, there is a new flight simulator product that is being widely and actively marketed at the moment - Flight Pro Sim. As it is almost entirely based on FlightGear, there is some confusion between the two. To help provide some clarity, and answer some common questions, we (the core FlightGear development team) felt it was appropriate to make a statement, and provide a FAQ. FlightGear is a open-source flight simulator that was started in 1996. It is released under the GNU General Public License v2, and as such, it is free to use, modify and distribute with few restrictions. It has been developed with the collaboration of a large number of individuals over the last 12 years. FlightGear can be downloaded at no cost from http://www.flightgear.org. Flight Pro Sim is a commercial product very heavily based on FlightGear. Investigation by a number of the FlightGear developers has found no difference between this and the FlightGear v1.9.1 release other than a change of name. Flight Pro Sim is in no way endorsed or supported by the core FlightGear development team. Given the similarities between Flight Pro Sim and FlightGear, we would recommend that prospective buyers download FlightGear for free and satisfy themselves that Flight Pro Sim provides worthwhile value for money before purchasing it. FAQ: Q: What is the difference between FlightGear and Flight Pro Sim? A: As far as we have been able to make out, the only difference between FlightGear v1.9.1 and Flight Pro Sim is a change in name throughout the software, and the fact that you have to pay for it. Q: Is it legal for the makers of Flight Pro Sim to simply re-brand FlightGear ? A: Yes. Under the GNU GPL v2 (http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html), this is legal, provided that they distribute the source code (or make it available). We do not know if this is the case or not. Q: Is it legal to sell a copy of FlightGear, whether re-branded or not ? A: Yes, provided the seller is in compliance with a number of conditions detailed in the GPL. In fact, those interested in receiving a DVD containing FlightGear may do so through the main FlightGear website, and directly contribute to the project (though they may want to wait for the upcoming release in the new year). Q: Has Flight Pro Sim paid any money to FlightGear for the rights to the program ? A: No. No such payment is required, as FlightGear is GPL software. Q: Why do the FlightGear developers allow this ? A: The freedom to modify and enhance FlightGear is a core part of the project, and of open-source in general. Restricting the modifications that are allowed and what people can do with the software goes against that ethos. Q: Is there any relationship between the makers of Flight Pro Sim and the FlightGear Project? A: No. Q: Has Flight Pro Sim contributed to the FlightGear project at all ? A: No. Q: I have purchased Flight Pro Sim. Can I get a refund ? A: That is something you will have to take up with the makers of Flight Pro Sim. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ This SF.Net email is sponsored by the Verizon Developer Community Take advantage of Verizon's best-in-class app development support A streamlined, 14 day to market process makes app distribution fast and easy Join now and get one step closer to millions of Verizon customers http://p.sf.net/sfu/verizon-dev2dev _______________________________________________ Flightgear-devel mailing list Flightgear-devel@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/flightgear-devel
