So, are we GD users screwed now or what?!?

by **Kzinti** » Sep 22, 2003 @ 10:44pm

[quote="bluescrn"]
I was also aware that future versions of PF could be dependent on a closed-source component (PocketHAL), which could potentially also start off free, and then do the same as GapiDraw....
[/quote="bluescrn"]

I work professionnaly as a C++ developper and make more then enough money. I have no interest whatsoever in making money out of PocketFrog/PocketHAL, else I wouldn't have started the project in the first place.

The project wouldn't have been open source if I didn't want the code/ideas to be reused by other people.

I do this as a hobby, I don't report to any other entity (corporate or university). You do the maths.

The main reason for the closed source component is to make sure it doesn't end up in GapiDraw or any other library without my knowledge/consentment.

by **StephC** » Sep 22, 2003 @ 11:17pm

by **bluescrn** » Sep 22, 2003 @ 11:36pm

by **Guest** » Sep 22, 2003 @ 11:42pm

by **StephC** » Sep 22, 2003 @ 11:57pm

by **mlepage** » Sep 23, 2003 @ 1:26am

by **efortier** » Sep 23, 2003 @ 2:19am

by **ppcStudios** » Sep 23, 2003 @ 2:51am

I certainly agree that the licensing agreement leaves alot to be desired, but I'm willing to give Viktoria Institute the opportunity to review their decisions and hopefully come up with a better plan that takes into account user and product support as well as provides a more standardized approach to product licensing.

A royalty based approach, or the 'feel good' method as mentioned in the licensing is so subjective and difficult to administer I'm surprised it would be even presented for a product of this calibre. As Eric stated, a flat fee would be much more readily accepted by myself - I was more than willing to cover a $1K - $2K unlimited license, but a royalty based one with the products that we will be bringing to market in the next 18 months doesn't sit well with me.

I would also like to see Shahab Ghavami post his views and respond to the many valid questions posted in this forum. There has been ample opportunity for VI to respond to their userbase, yet only Johan has done so. It is certainly not Johan's responsibility now to deal with the business aspects of GapiDraw.

Thierry: I personally don't feel this forum is where you should be running down GapiDraw and attempting to drum up support for your new incarnation of PocketFrog. I don't see Johan in the PF forum complaining about your API - maybe you could extend the same professional courtesy. I think its great that you created PF and provided it free for everyone to use, but if I wanted to hear about it I would spend more time in your forum...

by **fzammetti** » Sep 23, 2003 @ 3:04am

ppc, the problem with that is that it took them what, I think almost two months, from the time we first heard about the new licensing, until today. How long will it take for them to evaluate their decisions and hopefully come out with something better?

I for one have a product pretty deep into the development cycle, deep enough that changing to another library is going to be a pretty painful proposition (one which I've started tonight anyway because I've lost just about all confidence in the GapiDraw situation today). How am I supposed to go on with GapiDraw now? I certainly can't with the licensing terms as they were released today, and I can't really afford to wait another two months for them to either change the terms into something reasonable or release a 2.04 bug fix (which I absolutely do NOT expect under any circumstances, I'll be shocked if that comes out). I'm one of those small-time developers that can afford just about no licensing fee, certainly not one as seemingly ambiguous as this. I envy you having the option to drop $1k-$2k for an unlimited license, were that an option. If I was in your place, I would almost certainly feel the same way and be just as willing, but I'm not that fortunate.

I'm very much between a rock and a hard place, and I don't appreciate being placed there to say the least, ESPECIALLY when what I was told for the past month contradicts what came out today. I can hope and prey VI comes to their senses and makes things right one way or another, but I certainly can't COUNT on it now, and therin lies the dilema. I have had a good feeling about Johan and the future of GapiDraw all this time, but today changes that.

I don't mean to blame Johan, from what I know of the situation, this is not his fault in any way. However, that in my mind is MORE cause for concern because it means the one that I would otherwise count on and put some trust in is not pulling the strings any more, and that does not bode well at all.

Glad to see I'm not alone in this anyway.

by **Kzinti** » Sep 23, 2003 @ 3:08am

by **denthorq** » Sep 23, 2003 @ 4:13am

At first I hate fmod with their licensing scheme, but now I just realized that I can use their library by only paying $100 USD without worries :-)

I wish GD will revise their licensing terms for a fixed amount.

One good thing is that Johan approved my XFighter using GD 2.04 :-)

I guess I'll stick with 2.04 for now.

by **fzammetti** » Sep 23, 2003 @ 4:20am

denthorq, you are aware of the blit bug in 2.04, right? Are you fortunate enough that it's not an issue in your game?

by **denthorq** » Sep 23, 2003 @ 4:28am

Yap I'm aware, but some games have been released using 2.04 though.

I'll wait for the GD licensing issue if it will be resolve. I wish :-)

So, are we GD users screwed now or what?!?

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