Re: Building An Apple ][ Software Archive

[pausch@saafNOSPAM.se (Paul Schlyter)]

In article <st8cv8p5jdkv98@corp.supernews.com>,
Arkain <rwking@usa.nospam.net> wrote:
 
> "Roy and/or Janet Miller" <millers@inetnebr.com> wrote in message
> 39D425B5.ECA67205@inetnebr.com">news:39D425B5.ECA67205@inetnebr.com...
>> Jumping back in...
>>
>> Arkain wrote:
>>
>>> You and Paul seem to be having so much fun doing research on these terms
>>> that I dare not deprive you of your fun. The truth is actually 1/2 way
>>> between the 2 of you.
>>
>> Ah, but Paul and Frank are at least quoting "authorities", your
> definitions seem
>> to have no greater authority than that of your own opinion, and, as we
> here all
>> know, there are plenty of others with differing opinions.
> 
> Seeing as how they don't agree on which "authority" to use... I simply
> decided to insert a definition that fits all known occurances(personal
> observation) of either term. Whether or not they fit is a job I leave to
> them.
 
Sorry, but our two definitions are mutually exclusive:
 
1. Public domain software is not freeware
 
2. Public domain software is one type of freeware
 
As you can see, one cannot contruct one definition which embraces both these
cases -- at least not if that definition is to be unambiguous....
 
> My point was that "uncopyrighted freeware" **IS** public domain software.
> It's not even possible to acquire a copyright for such software. If you
> release software to the public before copyrighting it, you've surrenderred
> the right to copyright it.
 
However you can later release an enhanced version, and have those
enhancements copyrighted.  There are software packages which are
available as PD (= uncopyrighted freeware) for early versions, but
only as copyrighted software (freeware, shareware or commercial) for
later versions.
 
-- 
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