rec.autos.simulators

It stuck me just now, browsing through my (ever-growing) collection of
GPL addons, that they all have different ideas about what they think is
acceptable redistribution. For example:

* GPL Replay Analyser, Carsound: can be redistributed freely, provided
no money charged.

* Dave Noonan's tracks: can only be distributed from The Pits
.
* GPLEA tracks: as above, substituting "GPLEA" for "The Pits" (is it
too much to ask for these two to *co-operate* occasionally?)

* PBF Previewer: "Freeware... pass it around" (from the readme)

* GPL Spares Factory Eagle dashes: no distribution allowed at all (in
fact, going by the letter of the readme, it's illegal even to mail the
prog to someone who can't get at the website - which is just silly).

There are others, of course, ranging from "don't even think about it"
to completely open source.

It's a mess, basically. I don't expect people to move to some
"standard" form of distribution policy, but could it be made a little
clearer *before* download? If not on the download page itself, maybe
some kind soul could do a "GPL Addons Distribution Policy" website that
we could all refer to. Ta.

--
David. (GPLRank handicap: -3.01)
"After all, a mere thousand yards - such a harmless little knoll,
really."
(Raymond Mays on Shelsley Walsh)

Hi David,
While I can't comment on anyone else's policy, I feel some clarification is
necessary for the GPLSF redistribution policy. I think you must have been
looking at another file since the Eagle readme says nothing about emailing a
prog to someone who can't get to the website.
We keep very detailed stats on who downloads what from our site....it is in
our best interest (and subsequently yours) to know what we should spend our
time on. If I spend 2 weeks on a BRM dash and then have only a handful of
downloads, maybe I would have been better off building a Brabham dash.
Without the stats we would be blind to these details.....so if our files are
distributed outside of our site, we do not get an accurate sense of what
fellow GPL'ers really want from us. We do however allow you to either link
to us or phrase your link so that the download location is our site....I
don't think this is too much to ask for......there are a few people that
have been a bit miffed by this but they are making money off of their sites,
through our hard work, so we don't really give a damn =]
Hope this helps clear up any misunderstandings about our policy.
Cheers,
KD - GPLSF

Somebody should also set up a website "GPL Distribution Policies Distribution
Policy" site that would state how and if those prementioned distribution
policies should be distributed. I'm sure nobody want their legal mumbo-jumbo
ripped off.

Doesn't it all just make you _love_ lawyers?

Good grief. I never even thought of that. You are clearly cut out to be
a high-flying lawyer, sir ;-)

--
David. (GPLRank handicap: -3.01)
"After all, a mere thousand yards - such a harmless little knoll,
really."
(Raymond Mays on Shelsley Walsh)

<snip>

From your readme:

"In any way" means (to me) "without exception", and so would include
via e-mail, post, or even by speaking the hex codes down the phone. All
right, so I'm being facetious, but you know what I mean.

And, just in case of confusion, I do *not* object to your restricting
access to your own site. I confess I have reservations, given the
constant mantra of "backup, backup, backup" we hear everywhere else,
with a single download point, but I certainly don't think you should be
forced to agree with me.

BTW, that Eagle dash is wonderful :-)

--
David. (GPLRank handicap: -3.01)
"After all, a mere thousand yards - such a harmless little knoll,
really."
(Raymond Mays on Shelsley Walsh)

I see your point....I just thought that since you said "prog" (program) you
were confusing our stuff with someone else's...since we don't produce
programs (yet).
Cheers,
KD - GPLSF

I'm all for that. The higher they fly, the easier it is to shoot them down.

<snip>

You mean the "that Eagle dash is wonderful!" bit? <g>

--
David. (GPLRank handicap: -3.01)
"After all, a mere thousand yards - such a harmless little knoll,
really."
(Raymond Mays on Shelsley Walsh)