[Freegis-list] GIS Hydrology Software

[Viveka]

At 12:15 PM +1100 7/2/03, Chris Ryan wrote:
>I should clarify this.  I apologise for not being up-to-date on the
>terminology or definition of Free as it applies to this mailing list.
>
>CatchmentSIM is free (no cost) to use and is standalone (not an ArcGIS
>add-on etc).  However, source code is not supplied.  Sorry for the
>confusion.

Hi Chris,

of course, you have every right to license your software on any terms 
you wish, and it's up to you whether you wish to release source code.

However, I wonder if you have considered the benefits, not only to 
others but also to you and your project, of releasing source code in 
such as way as to fall under the Free Software Definition? Here are 
the freedoms that make up the definition, from the website of the 
Free Software Foundation: http://www.fsf.org/philosophy/free-sw.html

     * The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0).
     * The freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it to 
your needs (freedom 1). Access to the source code is a precondition 
for this.
     * The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your 
neighbor (freedom 2).
     * The freedom to improve the program, and release your 
improvements to the public, so that the whole community benefits. 
(freedom 3). Access to the source code is a precondition for this.

I won't lecture you on the benefits, as you may know them already and 
if you don't there's plenty of material on the FSF website. If you'd 
like more info on how making your software Free (as in speech) as 
well as (or instead of) free (as in beer) could benefit your project, 
please ask me, or the list. I assume that this is on-topic for the 
list, as long as it doesn't devolve into a flamewar.

Regards,

V.
-- 
Viveka Weiley, Karmanaut.
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