awpaeth@watcgl.waterloo.edu (Alan Wm Paeth) (08/10/90)
Archive-name: sao/06-Aug-90
Original-posting-by: awpaeth@watcgl.waterloo.edu (Alan Wm Paeth)
Original-subject: SAO/StarChart Rip-off Warning!
Archive-site: uunet.uu.net [192.48.96.2]
Archive-directory: /comp.sources.unix/volume16/sao
Reposted-by: emv@math.lsa.umich.edu (Edward Vielmetti)
A group calling itself ``Austin Code Works'' has been illegally peddling copies
of the SAO dataset which I originally reduced and annouced to this group (with
cross-posting to net.sources.unix) in late '88 for use with the StarChart
suite. I learned of this on Friday when a fellow in Maine called asking for
assistance and information on the code and related ``StarChart'' format. It
seems the ``Code Works'' is unwilling to support the dataset and ``kindly''
left my name in as the referral in support of their profiteering!
As mentioned in the first paragraph of the SAO distribution (*), that data is
the property of the Smithsonian Astronomical Observatory and is redistributed
for private and scientific NON-PROFIT use only; I specifically arranged for
this with NASA's World Data Center in Greenbelt, MD by written correspondence.
Likewise, the home-grown unpacking software which accompanies the distribution
has my copyright notice prominently affixed.
Needless to say, I'm mad as H--- about being ripped off. The best way to drive
these clowns out of business is to to make available generous redistributions
of this database available WITH ALL DISCLAIMERS AFFIXED, thus removing any
black market. While on the subject, the companion StarChart software which I
created and posted to this group likewise has copyright notices affixed. The
most recent version (almost entirely the work Craig Counterman, the authorized
developer) bears similar copyrights -- we have been careful in the wording and
placement of such notices on all our software.
Tell a friend.
/Alan Paeth
Computer Graphics Laboratory
University of Waterloo
------------
(*) FTP copies of the SAO reduction (in StarChart format) may be obtained during
off-peak hours from:
#
# THE CANONICAL archive for comp.sources.unix
#
ftp uunet.uu.net
anonymous
yourname@youraddress.etc
cd comp.sources.unix/volume16/sao
mget *
quit
#
# Secondary archive at Purdue
# note: Here the SAO is in its original v16i090.Z through v16i140.Z wrappers
#
j.cc.purdue.edu
anonymous
yourname@youraddress.etc
cd comp.sources.unix/volume16
mget v16i09*.Z
mget v16i10*.Z
mget v16i11*.Z
mget v16i12*.Z
mget v16i13*.Z
mget v16i140.Z
quit
#
# Public binaries site at Washington U, St. Louis [128.252.135.4]
# note: a MAIL server connection is rumored to exist
#
ftp wuarchive.wustl.edu
anonymous
yourname@youraddress.etc
cd usenet/comp.sources.unix/volume16/sao
mget *
quit
#
# Privately maintained, courtesy of Karl Kleinpaste <karl@cis.ohio-state.edu>
#
ftp cheops.cis.ohio-state.edu
anonymous
yourname@youraddress.etc
cd pub/comp.sources.unix/Volume16/sao
mget *
quit