trh@eagle.ukc.ac.uk (T.R.Hopkins) (06/01/88)
I have just read an advertisement from `The Matrix Calculating Engine Inc' (MACE) of Wisconsin offering the LINPACK and EISPACK Fortran Linear Algebra Packages for PC's. A footnote states that both packages are on the Restricted Nuclear Technology Transfer List and that distribution of the sources to many countries (I assume Eastern Bloc) is restricted. 1) I thought that both LINPACK and EISPACK were in the Public Domain -- can they be both PD and on the RNTTL list? 2) What other software is on this list and where do I get a copy of the list from? 3) What is the point of publishing the source codes in book form (i.e., The Linpack Users Guide and the Eispack volumes from Springer Verlag) and then restricting the distribution of machine readable form? Or are the books also on the list? Or can't the Russians type .... :-) Any information and comments would be welcome Tim
hofbauer@csri.toronto.edu (John Hofbauer) (06/03/88)
>3) What is the point of publishing the source codes in book form > (i.e., The Linpack Users Guide and the Eispack volumes from > Springer Verlag) and then restricting the distribution of machine > readable form? Or are the books also on the list? Or can't the > Russians type .... :-) I bet there are errors in the listings just to fool those Commie rascals. :-) :-) :-) :-)
mouse@mcgill-vision.UUCP (der Mouse) (06/04/88)
In article <5136@eagle.ukc.ac.uk>, trh@eagle.ukc.ac.uk (T.R.Hopkins) writes: > [...LINPACK and EISPACK...] A footnote states that both packages are > on the Restricted Nuclear Technology Transfer List and that > distribution of the sources to many countries [...] is restricted. > 1) I thought that both LINPACK and EISPACK were in the Public Domain > -- can they be both PD and on the RNTTL list? This is the government. They can do anything they please. In this sort of area, they don't even have to stay legal. (I don't know whether either package really is public domain.) > 3) What is the point of publishing the source codes in book form > [...] and then restricting the distribution of machine readable > form? Or are the books also on the list? Or can't the Russians > type .... :-) This is the government. Don't expect it to make any sense. As far as I can see, these export restrictions make no sense whatever, particularly when they attempt to place them on information instead of physical objects. An export restriction on a VAX (to pick an example) is almost enforceable. An export restriction on information, like source code to LINPACK or EISPACK, is not. If an "enemy" power (particularly a large one like the USSR) wants a copy, they will not be noticeably impeded by the restrictions; they serve only to hamper nominally friendly entities attempting to obtain copies. As far as I can see, at least. der Mouse uucp: mouse@mcgill-vision.uucp arpa: mouse@larry.mcrcim.mcgill.edu
eugene@pioneer.arpa (Eugene N. Miya) (06/07/88)
This note was intercepted moments ago: BEGIN MESSAGE: >> [...LINPACK and EISPACK...] A footnote states that both packages are >> on the Restricted Nuclear Technology Transfer List and that >> distribution of the sources to many countries [...] is restricted. > >This is the government. They can do anything they please. Ach! Comrades! Ve vill send netlib massage: send source from linpach send source from ice pack from moscvax via kremvax and kgbvax thru nsavax. END MESSAGE Now, what does this have to do with Fortran? Another gross generalization from --eugene miya, NASA Ames Research Center, eugene@aurora.arc.nasa.gov resident cynic at the Rock of Ages Home for Retired Hackers: "Mailers?! HA!", "If my mail does not reach you, please accept my apology." {uunet,hplabs,ncar,ihnp4,decwrl,allegra,tektronix}!ames!aurora!eugene "Send mail, avoid follow-ups. If enough, I'll summarize." They are the phone company. They can do anything.