Hi,
On Fri, Oct 25, 2002 at 09:49:27AM +0100, James Tryand wrote:
> Please take note though, that it may be open source, it isn't free. The
> license is not GPL or one of its derivatives, but their own brew. That
> said, while they keep a tight reign on the software the license is not
> exactly overly harsh.
uhhh. I read the license, and it *is* very restrictive, imho.
Eg. you are not permitted to offer consulting for it, so if you
are an IT guy and have a client who wants to use it, you're out
of luck. Having source for internal purposes only is maybe ok
in some cases, but a far way from being "open".
In section 4 (Prohibitions) they say (quote):
4.1. Distribute a source code version of the Software containing your Contributions;
4.2. Distribute your Contributions to any party other than OpenMFG;
4.3. Distribute or redistribute a compiled binary version of the Software in its
original or modified form;
4.4. Process or permit to be processed any other partys data for a fee or other
consideration;
4.5. Use the Software in the operation of a service bureau;
4.6. Provide consulting services related to developing, installing, implementing, or
training for the use, modification, or distribution of the Software to any party
outside of your business for a fee;
4.7. Develop or contribute to the development of a software application that competes
with the Software; or
4.8. Charge any fee beyond the costs of data transfer for the distribution or
redistribution of the Software in accordance with this license.
In other words, that's "Shared Soure", wrongly labelled as
"Open Source". Or put another way round: If you develop
any improvements on their software, you are required to
release these to them *alone*. Since nobody is permitted
to consult on this software, if you need it, you have to
purchase consultancy services from them or their partners
*only*.
Please note that I don't claim that it's easy to support
such software, or that I would do it.
Go figure...
Best,
--Toni++
