[Info-vax] Licenses on VAX/VMS 4.0/4.1 source code listing scans

[Bill Gunshannon]

On 12/10/21 12:54 PM, Dave Froble wrote:
> On 12/10/2021 10:46 AM, chris wrote:
> 
>> If you are a developer, you should try to walk the walk in terms
>> of ethics and try to do the right thing.
> 
> I'd agree 100%.
> 
>> In the real world though,
>> people will do whatever needs to be done to find a solution if there
>> seems to b an insurmountable obstacle.
> 
> Again, I agree.
> 
>> The other point is, do the original owners really care enough, or
>> even at all, when so much licensed software is out there and is
>> obsolete and no longer sold ?. Similar case here, where I was trying
>> find detail on the write boot block code for early SunOs for historical
>> purposes. Found the complete source cd online and was able to complete
>> the task. No profit involved, other than keeping some old machines
>> alive.
>>
>> Ethical dilemmas everywhere in life and we all have to make our
>> own choices...
> 
> If one is willing to pay for something, but there is no one available to 
> pay, than what?  Either one does without, or, one does whatever is 
> necessary.  While there may be those who feel I should just do without, 
> I do not agree with them.
> 
> Case in point.  We at Consolidated Data insist that all our customers 
> have support for their commercial use VMS systems.  That is our ethics.  
> However, should the time come when there is nobody to pay for such 
> support, and the license terminates, and VMS stops working, then I will 
> bypass the licensing to keep my customer in business.  That is my ethics.
> 
> For those who think we should just let our customers roll over and die, 
> I have only one comment.
> 
> STOP USING MY WHEEL, IT IS NOT FREEWARE, IT IS NOT ABANDONED!
> 

A good businessman would have kept his ear to the ground, heard
the oncoming stampede and taken the necessary actions to avoid it.
If that means finding a new product, then so be it. But stealing
other people's property is never justified.

bill