>> The provox screen reader for dos which I would like to have added to >> the freedos ftp site is currently located at: >> http://www.thesiegelsnest.us/provox/provox7.zip [...] >> Included with this zip file is the a86 assembler used to compile the >> code, which obviously would need to be removed for the freedos >> distribution copy, since it's a completely separate application. > > Just for the record, A86 is shareware, so in theory it's fine > including it (though obviously NASM would be better). Of course, I > find it funny that you use an ancient copy (3.22 from 1990!) when even > latest 4.05 has been stable for 10 years!! ;-) I assume there's > no hard dependency on that particular version. Oh well, it doesn't > matter right now, I just find it funny. ;-)
Actually, we include only a very few non-Free programs in the FreeDOS distribution. Shareware is not "Free" because you cannot modify it and you cannot distribute it freely to others. Most shareware programs require that you not break up their package and include it with something else, and/or that you may only distribute the program in the unmodified/original form. A86 specifically states this in their documentation: (A01.DOC) >This package is provided to you under the following conditions: > >1. You may copy the A86Vxxx.ZIP and D86Vxxx.ZIP files, and give > them to anyone who accepts these terms. The copies you > distribute must be complete and unmodified. You do not have > to be registered to distribute this package. So unless Provox has permission somewhere (and I didn't see a file indicating as much, but maybe I missed it) then this is already in violation of A86, because A86 is not distributed as the original ZIP files. Also note this from A01.DOC: >5. Only permanent registered users can sell or distribute any > programs that you have written or modified using this > assembler. If you do sell or distribute such programs, you > must insure that your registered name (company or individual) > will always be distributed with the program, so that I can > verify your registration. Any individual or company found to > be violating these terms will be liable for triple > registration fees for every machine they own capable of > running my assembler (plus any legal and court costs). That seems very clear. While the documentation appears to indicate that a private individual may use the unregistered A86 to compile Provox, that same unregistered individual cannot distribute it to others. Only someone who has registered the A86 program may share their A86-built programs with others. Reading this closely, programs like Provox that are built using the A86 assember may only be distributed by people who have registered A86. (IANAL) Else, there's a monetary penalty clause. This makes it impossible for us to include this version of Provox (which is built using A86) with the FreeDOS distribution. So Provox would need to be assemble-able using a different, free assember such as NASM before we could include it with FreeDOS. Sorry. -jh ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ AppSumo Presents a FREE Video for the SourceForge Community by Eric Ries, the creator of the Lean Startup Methodology on "Lean Startup Secrets Revealed." This video shows you how to validate your ideas, optimize your ideas and identify your business strategy. http://p.sf.net/sfu/appsumosfdev2dev _______________________________________________ Freedos-devel mailing list Freedos-devel@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/freedos-devel
