According to the article at http://www.asia-commons.net/healthcare Molly says:
"We still have an issue with licensing. Being open source, the product could allow any coder to make changes on it, which may impact on the patients safety and outcome. We think that is not the best model. So we are coming out with our own licensing for the field of health-care. "... When we provide the application to the doctors, we actually provide the PrimaCare server -- we provide the hardware -- which is a Linux server, in addition to training, support. We charge for services. The hardware would cost..." Clearly this does not describe anything like open source software, and certainly not GPL. I think the OSI definition is a pretty good standard by which to measure claims of open source: http://www.opensource.org/docs/definition.php I for one would accept nothing less. Rod On Tuesday 13 November 2007 04:54, Tim Cook wrote: > On Sat, 2007-11-10 at 18:36 +1100, Tim C wrote: > > On 10/11/2007, Jason Tan Boon Teck <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > Dear Molly, > > > > > > > > > We are interested to participate in the exhibition, to promote PCDOM > > > PrimaCare. > > > > Is PCDOM PrimaCare open-source software? If so, where or from whom can > > I obtain a copy of its source code? > > Dr. Cheah, > > I am wondering, especially in your capacity of leadership in OSHCA, why > these seemingly simple questions, but important questions (a link would > do) go unanswered; while you do apparently have the time to answer other > questions about a conference that you do not control (MAMPU/OSSC)? > > Is your real allegiance to OSHCA? Do you have an understanding and a > true belief in open source? Do you have an allegiance to your business > around PCDOM Primacare that might preclude you from being a true open > source company (in SPIRIT as well as legally?). > > I think that these are important issues as we approach the (delayed on > your part) December AGM for OSHCA. > > Please let's make these issues and attitudes public. > > As you told me when I visited with you; you are compliant with the GPL > when you distribute PCDOM Primacare (and source code) to Malaysian GPs. > This may be true that because you give the source to your customers you > are compliant. > > However, I personally question whether this is in keeping with the true > meaning (and spirit) of open source and peer review. I do not mean to > disparage your peers in Malaysia. But frankly how can they evaluate the > quality and performance of the software? > > If you hold yourself out to be a free and open source software > distributor then let us ALL see it. > > My frank and personal opinion is that you are a person trying to > leverage a marketing movement (open source) without really understanding > and appreciating the long term consequences. > > I look forward to your comments. > > Kind regards, > Tim > > PS. Note that my postings to the OSHCA members list has somehow/for some > reason been blocked as of last month.
