From: Eckhart Köppen (eck1001_at_gmx.net)
Date: Wed Sep 08 2004 - 09:16:48 PDT
On Wed, 08 Sep 2004 11:08:40 -0300, Andy Galluzzi wrote:
> Paul Guyot wrote:
>
>> I don't mean to sound rude, but after the DCL & Escale open source
>> experiment, I just do not want to hear about open sourcing code of
>> the Einstein project and/or the emulator again. Thanks.
>>
> Why? What happend with that projects?
As a developer who puts his stuff out there for free (as in free beer),
you are the first one receiving bug reports, feature requests, rants
(and of course also praise, raves, and support). As I understood it the
feedback for DCL and Escape as well as NewtSync has not been what the
authors were willing to deal with in the long run... just go back in
the archives and read John Anderson's mail, or check his blog - Paul
and Nicolas are definitely in the better position to comment on this,
but I got the impression that the work on DCL and Escale is not that
gratifying.
If I were in the position to decide about the availability of a project
such as the Newton emulator, which for sure will generate a huge
interest, huge problems with getting it to work and potentially, a huge
number of people trying and possibly being disappointed, I would think
more than twice about open sourcing it. I can fully understand Paul and
Nicolas in making this part of their decision about the proper license
and availability method. Open source is a very tricky thing to do,
despite what many people think.
Besides the feedback and maintenance issue, you also have to consider
that if you're providing a fundamental service which might be used to
build other solutions, you might be restricting specific uses (such as
commercial exploitation) by chosing specific license schemes.
Please note though that I am perfectly happy with the feedback I am
getting :)! Maybe I lay the expectations so low that people are happy
when my software doesn't make their Newtons explode. And I have to
thank the people from which I have gotten feedback (and even donations
:) so far.
Eckhart
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