covert@ihuxq.UUCP (covert) (07/09/84)
<> A while ago I posted a query on how Irv Hoff could sell the mdm740 program after it has been in the public domain for so long. Most people seem to agree that legally Irv can sell it as he has made his own original alterations to it. After this message was posted I conacted Ward Christensen (the original author of the mdm7xx programs) and asked for his opinion. The following message is Ward Christensen's ideas (and do not reflect mine): __________________________ Msg 23035 is 20 line(s) on 07/03/84 from WARD CHRISTENSEN to RICHARD COVERT re: IRV HOFF/COPYRIGHT/MDM7XX Irv has no intention of selling MDM7xx. This whole thing is blown out of proportion. Like so many rumors ABOUT someone - no one thought to go back to the "source" (Irv himself). I have now had "many K-char" of dialog w/Irv on CompuServe, and all pleasnat and understanding. Like me copyrighting CBBS and Resource (the latter more relevant because its "in the public domain" - (an admitted inconsistency)) Irv worked VERY HARD to make MDM7xxx available for a WIDE variety of machines. Inevitably, with his VAST erperience customizing MODEM (much more than mine) he got frustrated like I did with people who tack on inconsistent or worse yet, "buggy" bells and whistles, that aren't in the general interest with his ideas. Thus, just as I don't distribute the source for RESOURCE, he stopped distributing MDMxxx source - so he'd not have to fight the "someone else puts something in, he takes it back out" battle. This would allow him to concentrate on getting new overlay files out for more modems, more systems, and stop "fighting brush fires" of people "hacking" the code. I see nothing wrong with what he has done; he plans to eventually re-release source; PS: He thinks MEX came to be as another way to release, could be (I have nothing bas and have heard much good about MEX, too). ___________________________________ My own feelings about not releasing source to a program being distributing to the hobbyist market is that if the author doesn't provide the source then he OWNS it to the community to provide support for his program. For example, I wrote a 8080-z80 translator for which I distributed only the object file (copyrighted by myself) for use by CP/Mers. I promptly fixed any bugs in my program and released it. It has worked fine for me as I am up to release 4.1 now. It does appear that Irv has provided support for mdm7xx in the form of bug fixes. What he has not done is to implement changes as suggested by others.. I feel that it is hard to corrdinate such a program amongst many different programmers. Oh well, I hope that this helps clear up any misunderstandings about Irv's intentions with MDM7xx.. -- Richard Covert AT&T Bell Laboratories ...ihnp4!ihuxq!covert (312) 979-7488