Commercial site [message #2627] |
Mon, 13 May 2002 11:46 |
delvar
Messages: 7 Registered: May 2002 Location: UK
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I was wondering if i could use this forum in a commercial site, I cant give too much detail but, Its to be a dating site, members signup pay a fee give pictures descriptions can do search (usual stuff) etc..
I looked around for a quick solution and I found this, it has everything I need all in a simple easy to read package its so well written its fun just reading through the code (ok so im sad )
I want to expand the forum code (especially the user info side) Change the total look of it (not that there anything wrong with default skin ) to fit the rest of the site.
‘expand’ parts to cover the rest of the site i.e. user logs into the site front end and doesn’t need to log in again, so they can pass from forum, personal manager, searches etc.
It would require, minor and major changes some rewrites and some new code, I was just wondering if there are any restrictions on the use, and do I have to distribute the code.. being a commercial site I don’t want to give it away when someone’s paying me to build it but I don’t mind giving away little bits others might find useful.
Either way this is one great forum you have better than some pay ones iv seen, good job.
Hay 'tis anuver usles sig!
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Re: Commercial site [message #2628 is a reply to message #2627] |
Mon, 13 May 2002 13:54 |
hackie
Messages: 177 Registered: January 2002
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Senior Member Core Developer |
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delvar wrote on Mon, 13 May 2002 7:46 AM | I was wondering if i could use this forum in a commercial site, I cant give too much detail but, Its to be a dating site, members signup pay a fee give pictures descriptions can do search (usual stuff) etc..
I looked around for a quick solution and I found this, it has everything I need all in a simple easy to read package its so well written its fun just reading through the code (ok so im sad )
I want to expand the forum code (especially the user info side) Change the total look of it (not that there anything wrong with default skin ) to fit the rest of the site.
‘expand’ parts to cover the rest of the site i.e. user logs into the site front end and doesn’t need to log in again, so they can pass from forum, personal manager, searches etc.
It would require, minor and major changes some rewrites and some new code, I was just wondering if there are any restrictions on the use, and do I have to distribute the code.. being a commercial site I don’t want to give it away when someone’s paying me to build it but I don’t mind giving away little bits others might find useful.
Either way this is one great forum you have better than some pay ones iv seen, good job.
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The forum is licensed under the GPL, you should review the license to see if it satisfies your needs, the main point here, is that if you modify the source code you must release it publicly. GPL protects both the developer and the client, however, GPL places certain few key restrictions upon the client. The most important being as mentioned above, that any modification of the source *MUST* be made available. The GPL license could be read at http://www.gnu.org.
If you wish to use the forum under other licensing conditions contact us via email or pm.
Enjoy.
cc intelligence.c -o intelligence
$ ./intelligence
Segmentation fault
[Updated on: Mon, 13 May 2002 13:55] Report message to a moderator
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GPL and modified FUDforum [message #2632 is a reply to message #2629] |
Mon, 13 May 2002 15:24 |
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basse
Messages: 164 Registered: March 2002 Location: Ã…bo, Finland
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Update: obligatory preamble - IANAL, but...
This is a really interesting question that you brought up.
There seems to be different ideas of what the GPL really says about modifying the code. As an example I could mention the discussion about binary-only modules in the linux kernel.
Have a look at this page: http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html. It contains a lot information about what you asked. Take a moment to read it, especially the questions about linking GPL-ed code with proprietary code. To me it seems like the GPL forbids you to take GPL-ed code, extend it and release it under another stricter license.
[Updated on: Mon, 13 May 2002 15:25] Report message to a moderator
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Re: GPL and modified FUDforum [message #2634 is a reply to message #2632] |
Mon, 13 May 2002 16:14 |
Ilia
Messages: 13241 Registered: January 2002
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Senior Member Administrator Core Developer |
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The kernel comparison is not entirely valid, because the kernel developers are not being strict because even binary modules for the kernel benefit the Linux, albeit in a much lesser way then GPL modules. The benefit it there because it allows for drivers to be released much sooner and allows linux greater hardware compatility.
We on the other hand insist on GPL in the strictess sence and will be proactive in enforcing GPL compliance. Because the FUDforum userbase will not benefit in any way shape or form from closed source in FUDforum branches that we have no access to. We do offer other licencing schemes for people who wish to license the forum, under other licences, however they would involve a fee as well as a non distribution clause on the part of the purchaser.
GPLed code can be freely used in any commercial venture, there is no restriction on that, many companies use and live by GPL software.
Bottom line is that YOU CAN write proprietry code to use data from FUDforum's database, by doing so you do no violate GPL and that is acceptible. However, if you modify the forum's source you MUST release the changes you've made under GPL. Same is true if you write a program that uses FUDforum's code, it also must be released under GPL.
FUDforum Core Developer
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Re: Commercial site [message #2635 is a reply to message #2629] |
Mon, 13 May 2002 16:16 |
Ilia
Messages: 13241 Registered: January 2002
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Senior Member Administrator Core Developer |
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delvar wrote on Mon, 13 May 2002 10:41 AM | Thanks ill read it through, Mostly it will be minor modifications to expand it, not much in the way of development i.e. adding to the data stored in the users info like height weight etc, which is fine to give out.
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If the scope of your changes is merely adding 1 or two fields to the SQL tables that is fine also, we do not really care about that. What we do "want" is any sufficiently useful functionality that could be integrated into the forum and be useful forother people. For example, if you were to write a mailing list integration we'd definately insist on getting the source for that.
FUDforum Core Developer
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Re: GPL and modifications [message #2640 is a reply to message #2639] |
Mon, 13 May 2002 22:54 |
Ilia
Messages: 13241 Registered: January 2002
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Senior Member Administrator Core Developer |
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I think the best way to address this case would be on case by case basis. Once we've established a certain history of decisions the process will become more streamlined. Overall I'd say any extra added functionality to the forum itself should/must be reported back to the FUDforum development team.
This however does not mean if you write your own original code to interface with FUDforum database that you need to share it.
FUDforum Core Developer
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Re: Commercial site [message #2649 is a reply to message #2627] |
Tue, 14 May 2002 09:56 |
delvar
Messages: 7 Registered: May 2002 Location: UK
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Junior Member |
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That’s exactly how I saw it, I have no problem giving out MY code but as im working for a company its not mine.
ANY modification to the fud code will be given out, even minor changes, ill upload it to an ftp site somewhere and report it here once the works done. Any other code will be kept proprietary (-spl) unless I get an agreement from my company to release it.
Proprietary is where most of the code will lie, that’s why I like this forum, it has everything I was looking for as is, so most of the editing will be the front end, layout, colours etc. With only some logic changes (if any). Some extensions to stored data. (I will know more when I start working)
Rewriting / replacing code, if I were to write a function that replaced an existing function with no code copied form the original but doing the same job would that code be considered part of the fud? What about doing a similar job but in a slightly different way? Im thinking it would fall under the gpl, like copying from any publication and releasing it as your own work is plagiarism. But writing the same thing in your own words is not. don’t you just love grey areas?
Not that it matters much, I wont intentionally rip you guys off, all credit will be given and where possible code will be released.
Hay 'tis anuver usles sig!
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