I hesitate to criticize, Niels, because there is significant
intellectual property and investment involved in what you are deciding
on, and it isn't mine, but...
Source code with valid platinum support contract isn't open source,
that's licensed source, one of the mainstays of the success of the
AS/400 throughout its history, as it enabled us to customize ERP source
code, and if that's your model fine, but it's licensed source protected
as AS/400 ERP package source code has been through the years.
In my opinion it opens up some doorways with free non-source
implementations, varying levels of paid support, and ability to obtain
and modify source inhouse, and more importantly, eliminate the what if
the vendor goes away chicken and egg problem for products from companies
like yours, as so many companies are.
If you wanted to start out at that level you could see how much of a
change it makes, but unless I misunderstand something, I don't see how
the Apache open source license applies at all. In fact, even a paid
platinum support customer would theoretically have to return/destroy or
what have you the source code they had if and when they did not renew
their support contract (although that could be and should be remedied
with a perpetual license to the source code for the product shipped with
a platinum support contract, which would probably be a two or three year
contract).
I don't mean to nitpick or waste bamdwidth on your efforts, and the
considerations of S&M, but open source as in the Apache web server and
all other Apache products is probably the only way that it's going to be
able to compete with open source products.
Just my opinion, though. :)
regards,
rd
Niels Liisberg wrote:
Gents;
Thanks for your input regarding the open-IceBreak.
I have just had a meeting with the board of directors here at S&M. The
conclusion so far is listed below. I'll like to here your comments:
1) There will be an open source and free distribution of IceBreak.
2) There will be an optional support/service contract with a fee.
(silver/gold/platinum style).
4) Business partners College, universities can obtain a free support/service
contract.
3) The source will be available only for registered individuals with a valid
platinum support contract.
5) The open source licence will be based on the Apache License version 2.0
http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
6) Contributors have to sing an ICLA (Individual Contributor License
Agreement) like:
http://www.apache.org/licenses/icla.txt
6) Contributors will receive a user-profile / password to a system i where
the source is available in a "sandbox". Accessible under source versioning
control from RSE.
7) Contributors will be able to produce individual new build at will.
8) Contributions will be available in later G.A. versions of IceBreak
.... How dos that sound ?
Best regards
Niels Liisberg
IceBreak Chief SW Architect
System & Metode Technologies
Håndværkersvinget 8, DK-2970 Hørsholm
Phone: +45 70 20 36 10
Fax: +45 70 20 30 11
Direct: +45 45 177 055
Mobile: +45 31 158 861
E-mail: nli@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Web: www.system-method.com and www.Icebreak.org
midrange.com
