To:	djgpp AT delorie DOT com
Date:	Fri, 11 Apr 1997 15:25:00 -0700
Subject:	Re: ANNOUNCE: PLUSH 3D V1.1
Message-ID:	<19970411.153325.9502.4.bshadwick@juno.com>
References:	<199704110418 DOT AAA24717 AT delorie DOT com>
From:	bshadwick AT juno DOT com (Ben N Shadwick)

>Hi,
>[SNIP]
>>I read it as a statement, also.  But I am curious.  If it is freeware
>>then why has the author chosen not to release source code.  Perhaps,
>>he/she can explain?
>
>Well, here's what I've to say.  Correct me if I'm wrong.
>
>Freeware software is copyrighted by the author, and the author does not 
>necessarily have to release the source code.
>
>Public Domain on the other hand, is not copyrighted, thus, you're
allowed to 
>use the source/program in commercial use or sell the software.

You can often do that with freeware software also, as long as you give
credit to the author(s) (it depends quite a bit on the author, though)

>>I think that it would be a nice trend when releasing
>>not-for-profit-software to release source code with it.
>
>I don't think so.  Why would the author want to release the code, if
he/she's 
>work so hard on it?  I think it's completely up to the author!

The author would want to release the code to show other people how he did
what he did, get feedback on how he could do it better, save himself from
getting swamped with requests that he change minor things in the code,
and to spare others from having to do it over again themselves if they
want to use similar ideas to do something else.

You're right that it IS up to the author - he was just saying that he
would like it if some authors were more open with their code...

Ben Shadwick, Sysop, Mars Base BBS (360)882-0773, Vancouver, WA, USA
email: bshadwick AT juno DOT com
I am now telling the computer EXACTLY what it can do with a lifetime
supply of chocolate!!!

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