On Wed, 29 May 2002, Roy Wood wrote:
> I would not discount it but we do not want to hike the price or create
> myriad versions with small changes. Better that the developer bites the
> bullet and agrees to add it to the distribution. After all I don't think
> it will sell extra copies so the users will get it for free too. Maybe a
> compromise whereby it would be a paid upgrade for existing users but not
> add to the price for new users. Since these would be in the minority the
> chances are he will get his money.
Here's how it could be:
USERS get the license as it stands, but with developer references stripped
out.
DEVELOPERS get the user licence, with an addendum that allows distribution
of source/binaries between developers only, and by any means appropriate
including email, FTP, etc. as long as that distribution is only with other
authorized developers and/or the registrar.
Here's where it gets cool...
I'll set up a secure, authenticated mailing list, and only licensed
developers as notified by the registrar could join. They would then have
access to the mailing list and each other instantly, access to the latest
sources, and to each other for developing, with none of this accessible to
the outside community.
The registrar can specify project goals to the extent of saying "Widget
2.2 will be ready and tested on 7th August 2002. All submissions accepted
before then wilkl be included in SMSQ version 3.12a, everything not
received by then will have to wait for 3.12b which is aiming for 15th
Sept."
This way, there is a unified and open communication between developers and
the registrar/each other.
Something like this will inevitably happen regardless of the license
(along the lines of if no financial harm is done, who would sue anyway)
but if this can be done with the consent and co-operation of the
registrar, the developers, and within the license, GREAT!
And this doesn't affect regular user distribution, because they still
agree to the original license as it now stands.
So, who would be up for that?
Dave
PS: please ignore my email header - I am experimenting with mail MTAs as
research for writing QeyMail :o)
I think this is a great suggestion Dave!! Now if only everyone else could be as co-operative over the way to take SMSQ/E forward !!
Rich Mellor
RWAP Software
7 Common Road, Kinsley, Pontefract, West Yorkshire, WF9 5JR
TEL: 01977 614299
http://hometown.aol.co.uk/rwapsoftware
