home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
Columbia Kermit
/
kermit.zip
/
newsgroups
/
misc.19950726-19950929
/
000277_news@columbia.edu_Sun Sep 3 14:55:50 1995.msg
< prev
next >
Wrap
Internet Message Format
|
2020-01-01
|
4KB
Received: from apakabar.cc.columbia.edu by watsun.cc.columbia.edu with SMTP id AA07853
(5.65c+CU/IDA-1.4.4/HLK for <kermit.misc@watsun.cc.columbia.edu>); Sun, 3 Sep 1995 10:58:27 -0400
Received: by apakabar.cc.columbia.edu id AA01197
(5.65c+CU/IDA-1.4.4/HLK for kermit.misc@watsun); Sun, 3 Sep 1995 10:56:26 -0400
Path: news.columbia.edu!watsun.cc.columbia.edu!fdc
From: fdc@watsun.cc.columbia.edu (Frank da Cruz)
Newsgroups: comp.protocols.kermit.misc
Subject: Re: Pre-announcing Kermit for Windows 95
Date: 3 Sep 1995 14:55:50 GMT
Organization: Columbia University
Lines: 65
Message-Id: <42cflm$15a@apakabar.cc.columbia.edu>
References: <425lub$4rr@apakabar.cc.columbia.edu> <JRS.95Sep3025353@world.std.com>
Nntp-Posting-Host: watsun.cc.columbia.edu
Apparently-To: kermit.misc@watsun.cc.columbia.edu
In article <JRS.95Sep3025353@world.std.com>,
Rick Sladkey <jrs@world.std.com> wrote:
> I suppose it's obvious but I assume that source will not be available
> for Kermit for Windows 95?
>
Some parts will, some parts won't. The parts that won't were all done
here, at our own expense -- and that's money that must be recouped.
This is not from a desire to be secretive, but rather because historically
code from our software has been incorporated into hundreds of commercial
and shareware programs, most often without permission. If the new Windows
95 code is of any value, and we believe it is, the same thing would happen
if we made it public. Our project was not established for that purpose.
> I realize you must be doing this to survive but how can you expect to
> compete with communications programs that have twice the features for
> half the price?
>
None of the communications software that has been announced for Windows 95
is less expensive than Kermit 95. Most of it is in the $129 range. For
universities, our academic site licensing plan should allay all fears
about cost. This was posted yesterday.
> Let's say you really do come through on all of the features and the
> price comes down to 20 bucks. Let's say you do survive. Is is really
> worth it to give up the very thing that it is to be Kermit: free
> software with source?
>
The world has changed since 1981. The Internet (then, the ARPAnet) was a
forum for sharing and cooperation and mutual help. Now it's a hotbed of
entrepreneurs who are principally concerned with how to profit from the
work of others. The question is: despite all that, do people still want
Kermit software? I think that millions of them do. It is up to us to
figure out how to be in a position to furnish to them in the long run.
> It seems better to me to throw in the towel and say it was an
> experiment that didn't work than to compromise in the name of survival.
>
We decided not to do that. As you can see, the other Kermit software
versions (MS-DOS, UNIX, VMS, IBM Mainframe, and hundreds of others) are
still there. Should we shut those down too? If not, then how shall we
pay for their upkeep?
> Or better yet, can't you just charge for support and see how far that
> gets you? It doesn't seem to me you've investigated that avenue yet.
>
Believe me, over the past 3 or 4 years we've investigated every option,
including that one.
> I am happy for you if the decision you have made makes you successful.
> Every one needs a job or funding. But I think it is a sad turn of
> events.
>
Sure it is. So is the rampant commercialization of the Internet. But
that is an unstoppable force, and one which was devouring our project.
Whether it is good or bad remains to be seen, but it is real, and it will
change "our little world" forever in ways we can scarcely even begin to
imagine.
Those of you who are interested in this type of discussion are invited to
read through the archives of comp.procotols.kermit.misc, comp.os.vms,
comp.dcom.modems, and many other forums in which it has taken place at
great length over the past two or three years.
- Frank