Unfortunately, Quanta do not own the licence for QMAC - only a distribution licence. They still have to pay a fixed amount for every copy sold. There is also a hefty manual to go with it, which was expensive to reproduce, but I have recently assisted with this, by scanning it all and converting it to Adobe Acrobat format, although it is still over 3MB in size.
Unfortunately, Quanta have been unable to get the original licence holder's permission to make it public domain. However, it is not the fault of SMSQ/e that only commercial assemblers can compile it. George Gwilt has done a sterling job with GWASS and converting smsq/e sources (and the compiler in some aspects) to ensure it can be compiled. However, this is limited to a 68020+ processor and there is no other public domain assembler that handles macros (so far as I know). The only other way would be to find someone to volunteer to convert the smsq/e sources (which were originally written using QMAC) so that they could be compiled with another assembler. However, GWASL is the only public domain assembler so this would require a lot of work and may be pointless after all - the resultant file sizes may be of such a size that it wouldn't be possible to compile it in the memory provided by a Gold Card anyway !! The other issue is the DEV_ device. That is NOT limited to smsq/e but is available separately - I can see it on http://www.dilwyn.uk6.net/tk/index.html (hmm who's site is that I wonder?) Rich On Thu, 22 Feb 2007 18:50:20 -0000, <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > >> spending money on a semi commercial assembler. > The licence for QMAC is owned by Quanta. I recall reading sometime ago a > statement that Quanta had not sold a copy in years. > So to Quanta the membership here, if my recollection and understanding of > the situation is correct, would the membership mind if Quanta made QMAC > freeware. > To the listening Committee is it possible to do this and if so will > you, or > do you need a formal written request to the chairman? I can write one > if you > wish. > If it can be made freeware couls it be made downloadable from the SMSQ/E > sources pages > Duncan > > > _______________________________________________ > QL-Users Mailing List > http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm > > -- Rich Mellor RWAP Services URL:http://www.rwapsoftware.co.uk URL:http://www.rwapservices.co.uk _______________________________________________ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
