Re: Building An Apple ][ Software Archive

[Phoenyx <quazar@dcnet2000.com>]

Paul Schlyter wrote:
>
<snip>
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
> freeware n.  Free software, often written by enthusiasts and
> distributed by users' groups, or via email, local nulletin boards,
> USENET, or other electronic media.
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> Note the absence of any requirement that freeware should be
> copyrighted.  Thus any piece of software can easily be both PD and
> freeware.  In particular, being PD implies also being freeware.
> 
> If you want to distinguish that freeware which is copyrighted, you
> must use the term "copyrighted freeware".  If you don't, expect a
> large part of your audience to interpret "freeware" as "PD".

For many, the distinction is generally GPL or LGPL for the majority of the
freeware in common use today. Primarily because the term freeware seems
to cause so much confusion.

In the case of reclassified Apple2 software, the term freeware has caused
quite a bit of consternation. For example, the Beagle Bros releases. Many
consider them as freeware, which implies free use for any purpose. As I
understand them, they are indeed copyrighted freeware, which still implies
free use but the programmer/user can not make claims on the programs being
their own and must follow any requirements required by the particular
freeware license.

Which brings up another point. In spite of the wealth of old software, I
would still like to see a GPL/LGPL system for new programs. Hopefully, we
can start some new and even more useful programs for our II's and in the
process, share some of the programming knowledge amongst the newer users.

-- 

Thank you for your time and interest. I hope it was helpful
or at least interesting.

Phoenyx,

Apple2 user since March 1984

Links to Phoenyx's pages:
preferred..... http://zip.to/Phoenyx_A2
alternate..... http://www.tinyangeldesigns.com/Apple2