Matt Parker matt@mpcontracting.co.uk
OK, I didn't mean I didn't care about licensing, I meant I don't care what form the license takes as long as it entitles me to use the software in the way that I require.
IIRC, the Sun JDK's licence requires distributors to indemnify Sun and give them other narny powers. It doesn't entitle debian to use the software in the way we require. I think you should support debian's action and also support the efforts to create real, public standards for Java, led by the likes of Kaffee and Classpath.
Most of the time, debian is trying to ship stuff that can be maintained properly for as long as it's used, even if the original author falls off the planet. There are subplots to follow basic common standards and try to avoid wasted work, but this is all good real-world pragmatism for a volunteer distribution. If you want proprietary software on your debian system, look to the proprietor to support it. They're the ones controlling it, after all.
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I suspect you've already used some of my software somewhere, you just don't know it - for example if you've ever had to fill in an online planning application to your local council. I don't write desktop applications.
If you are IN ANY WAY involved with the HORRIBLE "best viewed using Internet Explorer version 5.5" PublicAccess planning system, you had better stay well out of my way at ALUG meets!
It amazes me that anyone dare deploy an online planning app which is harder to use than the paper listings, but Norfolk e-Government is a SHAMBLES, as far as I've seen so far. It's not just incompatible with free software browsers - it doesn't work well on the library web terminals either!
I am annoyed that my tax money is spent so badly!