We have learned that there is a considerable amount of work to 
be done with most closed source developments before the source 
code can be publicly released.

The model of using a (previously) commercial system as the seed 
or core around which to develop an Open Source system is a good 
one, but the code would have to be checked through, in order to 
be sure all of it is actually in the gift of the current owners 
to release.

The infection tracking system the Welsh Public Health Laboratory 
Service developed, for instance, had various libraries in it 
which required manoevres to make leagally releasable.

In a year when SCO are bent on a Kamikaze attack on IBM over the 
provenance of some code in Linux, the AAFP would be sensible to 
have their code checked for historic encumbrances - many of 
which I suspect would be resolved by just asking their 
originators before releasing them, but in all cases the question 
has to be asked out of politeness and the laws of copyright.

So there is a time... and when code appears, we shall see.
The SPIRIT repository gives the underlying core as "Phoenix", 
lately from Oceania.  If so, then if this Pheoenix did crash and 
burn, it will be nice to see it rise from the ashes and spread 
its wings.

-- 
From one of the Linux desktops of Dr Adrian Midgley 
http://www.defoam.net/             

Reply via email to