hall@ittral.UUCP (Doug Hall) (08/08/84)
The August issue of BYTE carries an ad on page 69 from Modula Corporation
for their $90 Modula-2 compiler. I got a big kick out of their license
agreement and some of their other comments. The following is quoted
from their ad:
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"Without all the 'whereas' and 'herewith' language, here's
our attempt to transfuse integrity into the entrepreneurial
bloodstream:
You are to treat the information we send you as if it
were a book, with the exception that you are granted
the right to make backup copies. Simple, Pournelle
logic!
In the spirit of the 'book' analogy, you are free to
take your book to another house (or computer) with
you. This, of course, means that someone at your own
house (or computer) cannot simultaneously read it.
Similarly, you can loan your book to a friend. But
there can be no possibility that you can read it at
the same time. You may sell your book, only if the new
owner agrees to these same conditions (which means a
copy of this agreement, signed by the new owner, must
be sent to us). Finally, just as in a book, it lacks
integrity to substitute your name for the name of the
legitimate author.
As for our warranties: Defective software may be returned
within thirty days for replacement. But just like any
other self-help book, its value to you is what you
make of it. No matter how badly it damages your life
or that of your customers, we're not obligated to do
anything whatsoever about it."
"Now, it's time to play 'How'd-you-like-to-see-something-really
-scary?' When you send us your check or credit card
authorization, enclose this page (or a copy) with an original
signature. Violate this agreement of integrity and you'll
get a doozer of a course in integrity at the claws of our
attorneys; and they'll tell your mother."
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While we're on the subject, does anybody have any experience with this
compiler? It is (supposedly) available for the Mac, Lisa, Apple //, and
IBM PC/XT computers. Is it worth $90? I've heard that Borland (of the
TURBO Pascal fame) will release a Modula-2 compiler. Can someone shed
some light on this?
Doug Hall
ITT Telecom Products
Raleigh,NC
ittvax!ittral!hall