Messages in this thread | | | Date | Sun, 28 Sep 1997 10:11:49 -0401 | From | Raul Miller <> | Subject | Re: Solaris 2.6 and Linux |
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Raul Miller wrote: > > > So you're saying that if I sell automated whatzits, with some fsf software > > in rom, for something like $99, it'll break my back to offer the source > > for the software on floppy for another $99?
Jeffrey B. Siegal <jbs@quiotix.com> wrote: > inconvenient (in a commercial setting, inconvenience is synonymous > with cost), in many cases, as to make Free Software effectively more > expensive than commercial software which doesn't come with these > strings attached. (And not all commercial software is expensive; > some, while still commercial, is quite inexpensive.) There is a cost > associated with _offering_ the source code, and continuing to offer > it, that may not be recoverable from the cost of source distributions > because: 1) GPL limits the price charged for the media to a "nominal > charge for the cost of distribution," and 2) there is no guarantee > that a sufficient number of source code distributions will be sold at > any price.
Sounds like an opportunity for a reputable source code broker.
Here's the concept: source code broker doesn't charge anything to the people providing source, but charges clients who order the source the nominal distribution charge. People who want to use FSF software but not distribute source send a copy off to the source code broker, who takes responsibility for the re-distribution of the result.
Ok, I'll offer my services as a source code broker (see, you can't say they don't exist any more).
Contact information:
Raul Miller 301/369-2473 (this week phone is out of order, so instead use): 202/898-2358 <moth@orbits.com> (or <rdm@test.legislate.com> -- winds up in same mailbox). 9436 Fairview Ave Laurel, MD 20723-1712
Provide me with three copies of the source on acceptable media (in case one goes bad), and some unique name for the source (which should include your company name, or some trademark you or your company owns) so I can recognize what to send to people. [But contact me on the phone, first, so we can make sure that we understand each other.]
If three copies is a problem, send me one copy with md5sum(s) and be prepared to send me another if the md5sum doesn't match what you sent. If contacting me by phone is a problem, contact me via email (be aware that this will take longer).
*If* you want an official acknowledgement/contract, send me $20 with the source. I'll drop my price on this if (a) people actually use this service, and (b) I hear that this is an obstacle. Sorry: right now I'm a startup and am worried I might have not considered all costs. The contract will state that I'll offer the source code for five years from when you make the source code available to me.
If you do want a contract, but want different contract terms, say so -- I'm just pulling numbers out of the air here so I can have a reasonable default. If you want a commitment for multiple versions or whatever, say so.
I'll charge $100/copy for source. I'll be reasonably prompt at shipping except when backlogged. I may put up an ftp site if I start getting more orders than I can comfortably handle, or if someone volunteers the space. In case of problems, I'll make a best effort to come up with an alternate solution.
Acceptable media: 3.5" 1440k floppies 100MB zip cartridges ISO 19660 cdroms
If there's demand, I might consider other media (e.g. prom, dat tapes, ..). I'd charge a bit more for distribution of source on prom... If it's a problem, I'll probably accept source in email (uuencoded or MIME encoded tar). If there's demand, I may even put up a web site.
Feel free to copy this message wherever you like. If you change the content, either remove my name and contact information, or give me a chance to first look at it (and the right to change it further or reject it). If you want something snazzier than this message, please contact me.
Voila...
I can't do much about the cost of software you've already written off, and already have installed. But, at least I'll be able to see if you're right about the source-code distribution requirement being a real problem. [Note: if other people do this same kind of support, please let me know if you get any customers.]
-- Raul
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