Re: VB.net public domain - 5 Questions

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From: Nick Malik [Microsoft] (nickmalik_at_hotmail.nospam.com)
Date: 12/28/04 

Date: Tue, 28 Dec 2004 16:26:53 GMT

Hello Dennis,

>
> > On the other hand, you can put restrictions on the use for the
> > software into its distribution...
>
> I like the workspaces idea of GotDotNet. Seems there is a server
> support problem, as in a lack of it. Otherwise this would seem to
> be a great idea.

Sourceforge appears to be better supported. There are a number of .net apps
there. Unfortunately, it is tougher to get set up there. I joined two
Sourceforge projects and dropped out of both after a while. The server
speed wasn't the issue... the lack of community was. It's a tradeoff.

>
> So I have this application that you couldn't even call beta, and I
> would like help with it. How many people bought some version
> of the dot net language, in my case VB.Net, and are asking this
> same question? I would expect the number to be in the thousands.
> Any recommendations?
>

Nothing wrong with going open source... I was just suggesting that you don't
get anywhere if you assume that you will control it when you are done. You
might. An attorney can help. But open source is largely uncontrollable in
many ways.

That said, if you want help, I'd recommend that you go open source. If the
app is cool, and you want to sell it, retain the right to put out a
commercial version, and keep that right to yourself and the other authors.
(you REALLY need an attorney, now, if you want to go this way in the
future). Your open source version will simply compete with you. (see SSH
for an example of this in real life).

On the other hand, don't sell it. Sell support for it. Sell consulting.
Sell books. You can always do that.

--- Nick Malik [Microsoft]
    MCSD, CFPS, Certified Scrummaster
    http://blogs.msdn.com/nickmalik

Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in this forum are my own, and not
representative of my employer.
   I do not answer questions on behalf of my employer. I'm just a
programmer helping programmers. 

--

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