jdb@reef.cis.ufl.edu (Brian K. W. Hook) (04/17/91)
Has anyone had experience with ACW? They seem like they are overpriced, and a lot of their stuff you can't tell if it is SW, PD, or commercial stuff.... Has anyone bought G++386 from them? Brian
garym@cognos.uucp@uunet.uu.net (Gary Murphy) (04/17/91)
BOYCOTT AUSTIN CODE WORKS! This organization is distributing other
people's works WITHOUT PERMISSION and often even blatently so! As a
programmer who has produced shareware, this alone is enough reason to
avoid this organization, but there is more: Their prices are very
high and the software out of date.
If you can read this message, everything you can get from ACW can be
had FOR FREE via ftp. Even if you have no direct ftp, you can get
files from most sites through the princeton pucc list-server.
Just before the flames start, let me give you an example: The following
letter from Alan Paeth describes the tribulations of an author trying
to keep his software free. The letter ends with a list of sites
carrying Alan's SAO starchart data, which I have included both for
completeness, and to give an idea of the number of FREE sites out there.
--------------------------------cut here--------------------------------
From: awpaeth@watcgl.waterloo.edu (Alan Wm Paeth)
Newsgroups: sci.astro
Subject: SAO/StarChart Rip-off Warning!
Date: 6 Aug 90 16:54:05 GMT
Distribution: sci
Organization: Computer Graphics Laboratory, University of Waterloo,
Ontario, Canada
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
--------------------------------cut here--------------------------------
--
o| Gary Murphy |o
|------------------------------------------------------------------------|
o| uunet!mitel!cunews!cognos!garym garym%cognos.uucp@ccs.carlton.ca |o
| Cognos Inc. P.O. Box 9707 Ottawa K1G 3N3 (613) 738-1338 x5537 |
o| "There are many things which do not concern the process" - Joan of Arc |ocoy@ssc-vax (Stephen B Coy) (04/18/91)
In article <28057@uflorida.cis.ufl.EDU> jdb@reef.cis.ufl.edu (Brian K. W. Hook) writes: >Has anyone had experience with ACW? They seem like they are overpriced, >and a lot of their stuff you can't tell if it is SW, PD, or commercial >stuff.... I purchased byacc and flex from them. While the code is freely distributable what I feel that I paid for was a competent port to ms-dos. In my mind the $60 (or so) that it cost me was well spent. I've had no problems with either program. As far as the status of the software they sell, I'm sure that they'd be more than glad to give you more details. Call or send email. Their net address is in all their ads. >Brian Stephen Coy coy@ssc-vax.UUCP BDIF
valley@gsbsun.uchicago.edu (Doug Dougherty) (04/18/91)
coy@ssc-vax (Stephen B Coy) writes: >In article <28057@uflorida.cis.ufl.EDU> jdb@reef.cis.ufl.edu (Brian K. W. Hook) writes: >>Has anyone had experience with ACW? They seem like they are overpriced, >>and a lot of their stuff you can't tell if it is SW, PD, or commercial >>stuff.... >I purchased byacc and flex from them. While the code is freely >distributable what I feel that I paid for was a competent port to >ms-dos. In my mind the $60 (or so) that it cost me was well spent. But, but, but (he sputters). I got both BYACC & FLEX from Simtel (actually, WUARCHIVE), both free, both already compiled for DOS. Why did you spend $60 to get them ported? (Next time, send me the $60, and I'll send you copies of my versions... [heh heh]) -- (Another fine mess brought to you by valley@gsbsun.uchicago.edu)
b-davis%cai.utah.edu@cs.utah.edu (Brad Davis) (04/20/91)
In article <f1ngzv_@rpi.edu> sigma@obee.ipl.rpi.edu (Kevin Martin) writes: >Austin Code Works does seem pretty rude. Perhaps a concerned/vindictive >individual/organisation with some free time could maintain a listing of how >to obtain each of their products for free via FTP or mailserver. A listing >in exact correspondence with their latest ads in magazines, prominently >posted, would surely reduce their profits a bit. > >Don't look at me, though. While those of us in the "real" world have access to what ACW distributes, MOST OF THE WORLD (meaning the computer world) DOESN'T. If they are distributing code that they shouldn't, go after them; otherwise let them provide a service to those people who don't want/can't have Internet/UUCP/Bitnet (etc) access. -- Brad Davis ..!uunet.uu.net!cs.utah.edu!cai.utah.edu!b-davis b-davis@cs.utah.edu, b-davis@cai.utah.edu One drunk driver can ruin your whole day.
sigma@obee.ipl.rpi.edu (Kevin Martin) (04/20/91)
Austin Code Works does seem pretty rude. Perhaps a concerned/vindictive individual/organisation with some free time could maintain a listing of how to obtain each of their products for free via FTP or mailserver. A listing in exact correspondence with their latest ads in magazines, prominently posted, would surely reduce their profits a bit. Don't look at me, though. -- Kevin Martin sigma@ipl.rpi.edu "If is was so, it might be, and if it were so, it would be. But as it isn't, it ain't. That's logic."
jdb@reef.cis.ufl.edu (Brian K. W. Hook) (04/20/91)
In summary, the following can be said of Austin Code Works: WHAT IT IS: Austin Code Works is a for-profit organization that sells software, in a nutshell. A great portion of their software is shareware/public domain/free ware, but they charge exhorbitant amounts for the software, implying that is is being registered. From what I understand, it is NOT being registered with the purchase. The commercial software that they are selling is also fairly high priced. GENERAL FEELINSG: Of the 7 people that responded, only 1 felt like he got his money's worth. The other 6 were highly disappointed with what they received. One case in point is their "Crunch Pak" which consists of PD/shareware prorgams. They sell it for 30 dollars. IT CAN ALL BE DOWNLOADED FOR FREE FROM SOMEWHERE. SUMMARY: Almost all of the stuff ACW offers can be had for free SOMEWHERE on the net. They are ripping off shareware authors (by reselling stuff and not registering it ), to the point where I would be led to beleive that they are breaking the law in some cases. Brian
coy@ssc-vax (Stephen B Coy) (04/20/91)
In article <1991Apr18.162321.19539@midway.uchicago.edu> valley@gsbsun.uchicago.edu (Doug Dougherty) writes: >But, but, but (he sputters). I got both BYACC & FLEX from Simtel >(actually, WUARCHIVE), both free, both already compiled for DOS. Why >did you spend $60 to get them ported? At the time I didn't have access available to me, I didn't know what Simtel was, didn't really care and didn't think that $60 was too out of line for what I received. Sharing costs with a friend doesn't hurt either. :-) > (Another fine mess brought to you by valley@gsbsun.uchicago.edu) stephen coy@ssc-vax.UUCP BDIF
ekalenda@cup.portal.com (Edward John Kalenda) (04/20/91)
>Austin Code Works does seem pretty rude. Perhaps a concerned/vindictive >individual/organisation with some free time could maintain a listing of how >to obtain each of their products for free via FTP or mailserver. A listing >in exact correspondence with their latest ads in magazines, prominently >posted, would surely reduce their profits a bit. > >Don't look at me, though. I might be interested in maintaining such a list on an Email basis (you send a request for the list, I reply with the list). I'll post it's availability once a month. Send me Email if you know anything that applies. In the meantime: does anybody know where I can get PC/IP which they advertize as: PC/IP (CMU/MIT TCP/IP for PCs; Ethernet, Appletalk & NETBIOS drivers, RVD, Clarkson drivers, Stan's NFS clone, Bdale mailer) .... $100 I suppose it's at CMU or MIT but only have email access to the net and don't know how to use it to access FTP sites to get lists of available software or the software itself. (Perhaps I'll include that info in the listing mentioned above.) Ed ekalenda@cup.portal.com
mrs@netcom.COM (Morgan Schweers) (04/20/91)
Some time ago jdb@reef.cis.ufl.edu (Brian K. W. Hook) happily mumbled: >In summary, the following can be said of Austin Code Works: > >WHAT IT IS: > >Austin Code Works is a for-profit organization that sells software, in a >nutshell. A great portion of their software is shareware/public >domain/free ware, but they charge exhorbitant amounts for the software, >implying that is is being registered. From what I understand, it is NOT >being registered with the purchase. A few questions are in order... The first one, I must ask, is: Are the ViruScan or CleanUp programs from McAfee Associates being sold through this corporation? (If they are, PLEASE E-Mail me with the price they are charging.) The next question is: Are the providing support for their software? (I.E. Do they support the user who is trying to get GCC to run on their system, etc.?) > >The commercial software that they are selling is also fairly high priced. > >GENERAL FEELINSG: > >Of the 7 people that responded, only 1 felt like he got his money's worth. >The other 6 were highly disappointed with what they received. One case in >point is their "Crunch Pak" which consists of PD/shareware prorgams. They >sell it for 30 dollars. IT CAN ALL BE DOWNLOADED FOR FREE FROM SOMEWHERE. This is usually not a bad thing. Most Shareware/Freeware sources say that you can distribute the software given a minimal (usually less than $5) disk handling charge. ACW may have decided that it means per-disk. If you get 5 or 6 disks in that 'Crunch Pak', then they are probably cooperating with the terms. Remember, please, that not all people have modems. Not all computer users can download or FTP something from their nearest site. ACW is NOT allowed, however, to charge more than what the shareware/PD/Freeware authors consider to be an adequate disk handling fee. > >SUMMARY: > >Almost all of the stuff ACW offers can be had for free SOMEWHERE on the >net. They are ripping off shareware authors (by reselling stuff and not >registering it ), to the point where I would be led to beleive that they >are breaking the law in some cases. > >Brian This is only true if 1) they are claiming that the software *IS* registered after purchase, and/or 2) are charging more than the Shareware author has authorized for disk handling fees. -- Morgan Schweers +------- These opinions are not the opinions of my company, since I haven't gotten them into this yet. If, however, our product is involved... -- mrs@netcom.com -------+
kaufman@eecs.nwu.edu (Michael L. Kaufman) (04/22/91)
In article <28108@uflorida.cis.ufl.EDU> jdb@reef.cis.ufl.edu (Brian K. W. Hook) writes: >From what I understand, it is NOT being registered with the purchase. I can only speak for myself, but the two non-pd items that I purchased from them both included registrations. In one case, there was a mail-in card, and for the other case, I think (this was 4 years ago) they sent my name to the programmer. Of the FTP-able items, they are providing a service by mailing them out. If you don't like their prices, then don't use their company. I don't understand the anger here. Michael -- Michael Kaufman | I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on kaufman | fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in @eecs.nwu.edu | the dark near the Tannhauser gate. All those moments will be | lost in time - like tears in rain. Time to die. Roy Batty
tporczyk@na.excelan.com (Tony Porczyk) (04/22/91)
The News Manager) Nntp-Posting-Host: na Reply-To: tporczyk@na.excelan.com (Tony Porczyk) Organization: Standard Disclaimer References: <28108@uflorida.cis.ufl.EDU> <1991Apr21.184918.29190@eecs.nwu.edu> Date: Mon, 22 Apr 1991 00:26:11 GMT In article <1991Apr21.184918.29190@eecs.nwu.edu> kaufman@eecs.nwu.edu (Michael L. Kaufman) writes: >Of the FTP-able items, they are providing a service by mailing them out. If >you don't like their prices, then don't use their company. I don't understand >the anger here. > >Michael Actually, if they are not violating any specific copyright laws, just providing something otherwise widely available at a price, I don't understand the problem either. Apparantly, if they haven't gone out of business, their service is needed. I have to say that FTP-ing is often frustrating (you don't know what is available where) and EXTREMALLY time consuming (in a year, I have been able to connect anonymously during the day ONCE - it's always busy - who's got the time?). If they can deliver something I need without aggrevation and at a reasonable price, I'll go for it. Tony
cur022%cluster@ukc.ac.uk (Bob Eager) (04/22/91)
In article <GARYM.91Apr17120736@cognos.uucp@uunet.uu.net>, garym@cognos.uucp@uunet.uu.net (Gary Murphy) writes: > If you can read this message, everything you can get from ACW can be > had FOR FREE via ftp. Even if you have no direct ftp, you can get > files from most sites through the princeton pucc list-server. > True up to a pint. But, for example, how would I get hold of a copy of the larger GNU distributions this way? GNU EMACS would come out at about a hundred parts if mailed from the Princeton server. I don't have 9 inch magtape, or a Sun cartridge drive, so I can't go to GNU (FSF) direct. I don't condone ACW either. But they may be the only way for some people. -------------------------+------------------------------------------------- Bob Eager | University of Kent at Canterbury | +44 227 764000 ext 7589 -------------------------+-------------------------------------------------
kaufman@eecs.nwu.edu (Michael L. Kaufman) (04/23/91)
In article <22239.2812f1b5@cluster@ukc.ac.uk> cur022%cluster@ukc.ac.uk (Bob Eager) writes: >I don't condone ACW either. But they may be the only way for some people. I just don't understand some people. You say that they are providing a service to people who need it. Then you say that you don't "condone" them. Maybe you didn't get to finish your letter, because the part where you told what they are doing wrong mever made it to my site. Michael -- Michael Kaufman | I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on kaufman | fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in @eecs.nwu.edu | the dark near the Tannhauser gate. All those moments will be | lost in time - like tears in rain. Time to die. Roy Batty