Some great points. Small Talk has been released to the
public. One more file to get and then I'm guessing it'll
end up on Unna.
John
> -----Original Message-----
> From: newtontalk-bounce_at_newtontalk.net
> [mailto:newtontalk-bounce_at_newtontalk.net]On Behalf Of C.W. Otto Sohn
> Sent: Wednesday, July 11, 2001 9:48 PM
> To: newtontalk_at_newtontalk.net
> Subject: [NTLK] Abandonware
>
>
>
> Since "abandonware" is such a hot topic recently, I'll chip in my
> experiences:
>
> First thing should always be the website of the company or individual who
> produced the software
>
> If the website is still there (but does not mention Newton software) send
> an eMail to the company, detailing what EXACTLY you are looking
> for (do not
> say "Hey, what happened to all you Newton stuff?"). Be specific about what
> you want: purchase, dowload, unlocking code, etc. AND describe the
> "dilemma" and make a proposal or offer; e.g.: ask if the author/company is
> willing to make it available for free to the remaining Newton community,
> etc.
>
> If the website is gone, look at your shareware/trialware/demo or
> the ReadMe
> file/documentation to find out who the programmer was (usually in the [i]
> About box). Then try to find that person. I have been using GOOGLE,
> entering the full name of the author and checking if the sites that Google
> returns have possibly some connection to the person you're looking for
> (unless the name is John Doe - which is almost impossible to find
> with just
> the name). Then send polite but specific eMails to all the
> people/addresses
> you think might yield a "hit" and wait for a reply.
>
> Sometimes you're out of luck and get no reply, or just the formulaic
> "...sorry that we cannot help you further with..." BUT sometimes you find
> someone who does respond.
>
> If I have some more time I can update you on some of the negative
> responses
> I have received (for example: Mark Ebell who wrote InfoRetriever did
> respond, stating that he could not release the software because of medical
> liability issues - not because of copyright issues).
>
> Anyway: This is how I found Brant Sears who wrote Clarity (and some other
> Newton apps that, for the moment, are "lost"). He is a very
> helpful person,
> and with some persistence and encouragement on my part he is going to
> release Clarity as freeware.
>
> Come on, if you really, desperately want some software give it a
> try. Don't
> give up just because the original website is gone. There are many more
> possibilities to track down the programmer!
>
> And for those pieces of software that REALLY are abandoned, the idea with
> the fee put in escrow may work - if you get a registration code somehow,
> that is.
>
> Those of you who are tracking down SmallTalk or other Newton apps: Let the
> list know about your progress.
>
> Otto
>
> *****
>
> The best things in life are not "things."
>
> *****
>
>
>
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