1 Topic by Herbie (edited by Herbie 2005-01-31 03:23)

  • Herbie
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Topic: Distribution of punBB with my software

I am developing a small web portal specifically for the online game Neopets.  Many Neopets resource sites require forum software.  In all honest my first choice would have been Invision of PhpBB but because I wish to distribute the package at a minimal cost I went looking for cheaper, or free forum software like punbb or Yabb.  I was wondering if I would be allowed to distribute it with my portal software, even though I will be selling the portal.  Is this okay with you guys or do you have any objections?  Please reply smile

  • Herbie
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Re: Distribution of punBB with my software

I also just wanted to say that I wouldn't be charging for the forum softqware but for the rest of the package so I dont think it violates GNU but I am not for sure.

3 Reply by Mako

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Re: Distribution of punBB with my software

If the forum comes with the portal, and the portal is being offered at a charge then it would be in violation of the GNU.

"You start coding. I'll go find out what they want." - Computer Analyst to Programmer
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Re: Distribution of punBB with my software

As I read the GPL it would be legal as long as the portal is not built on or dependent of PunBB. An alternative would be release the portal under GPL too, this could make it harder to get people to pay for it though.

5 Reply by Andy

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Re: Distribution of punBB with my software

CodeDuck wrote:

As I read the GPL it would be legal as long as the portal is not built on or dependent of PunBB. An alternative would be release the portal under GPL too, this could make it harder to get people to pay for it though.

If you undertook your suggestion, you could only charge for the packaging and support of the distribution.

6 Reply by Herbie (edited by Herbie 2005-01-31 16:35)

  • Herbie
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Re: Distribution of punBB with my software

Hmm...yeah the software was kinda gonna be using PunBB and working with it for this such as the login and registration so I suppose it would be in violation.  What if I were to kick back a few buck to you guys for every copy I sell, would that be acceptable?
I also was planning on charging for the portal because I am sadly kind of short on cash at this point otherwise I'd releaseit free.  I don't know how much I'll be charging but it wont be disturbingly high...

7 Reply by Smartys (edited by Smartys 2005-01-31 16:38)

  • Smartys
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Re: Distribution of punBB with my software

Herbie: I believe Rickard said something about a situation like this: let me find it...

Edit: http://punbb.org/forums/viewtopic.php?id=2788
Might want to talk to him about it smile

8 Reply by Dr.Jeckyl (edited by Dr.Jeckyl 2005-01-31 19:34)

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Re: Distribution of punBB with my software

what about donations? also, will this portal be usefull for anything else besides the game?

~James
FluxBB - Less is more

9 Reply by Herbie (edited by Herbie 2005-01-31 20:47)

  • Herbie
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Re: Distribution of punBB with my software

Smartys wrote:

Herbie: I believe Rickard said something about a situation like this: let me find it...

Edit: http://punbb.org/forums/viewtopic.php?id=2788
Might want to talk to him about it smile

From what I understand he is saying I am allowed, maybe I misread?  Also the portal will have alot of Neopets related features but in theory you could disable such options and be left with content management system, polls, things like that...The only thing is that it wont be super easy to edit like say PHPnuke but the manual will be possibly hundreds of pages giving detailed descriptions on how to edit every aspect of the site!

Edit: Forgot to add that if I am allowed to do this I will kick back a little bit from every copy I sell to support the PunBB cause.

  • From: 127.0.0.1
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Re: Distribution of punBB with my software

I'm sorry Herbie, but at this time, I'm not ready to do that. I might change my mind in the future, but for now, I want PunBB to remain GPL only. I am not a lawyer, so I can't really tell you exactly how the GPL applies in this case, but I believe what CodeDuck posted above is true. The GPL FAQ is a good read if you're interested in what you can and can't do with the source.

[topic moved]

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  • Registered: 2004-11-19
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Re: Distribution of punBB with my software

Well, Rickard is pretty active on these forums (he just posted today) so I'd wait to hear what he says.   I think whatever happens you have a good idea to "kick back a little bit from every copy I sell to support the PunBB cause"

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  • Registered: 2004-11-19
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Re: Distribution of punBB with my software

Whoops... I guess I type too slow!  His reply hit before mine did!

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13 Reply by Herbie

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Re: Distribution of punBB with my software

Rickard wrote:

I'm sorry Herbie, but at this time, I'm not ready to do that. I might change my mind in the future, but for now, I want PunBB to remain GPL only. I am not a lawyer, so I can't really tell you exactly how the GPL applies in this case, but I believe what CodeDuck posted above is true. The GPL FAQis a good read if you're interested in what you can and can't do with the source.

[topic moved]

So I will have to look elsewhere to forum software to compliment my portal then?

  • Connorhd
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Re: Distribution of punBB with my software

looks like it

FluxBB.
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  • From: 127.0.0.1
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Re: Distribution of punBB with my software

Herbie wrote:

So I will have to look elsewhere to forum software to compliment my portal then?

If you won't consider releasing your portal under the GPL or a GPL-compatible license, yes.

"Programming is like sex: one mistake and you have to support it for the rest of your life."

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Re: Distribution of punBB with my software

I think most "free" applications are going to be under GPL.  I rarely, if ever, see anything that is decent that isn't under GPL.

I wish I understood GPL better... the whole definition of what "free" is confuses me!  smile    It seems there are some things that you can charge for and other's that you can't.

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  • Connorhd
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Re: Distribution of punBB with my software

you could make the portal, release it under gpl and charge for it, but theres nothing stopping other people put it up for download for free

FluxBB.
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Re: Distribution of punBB with my software

Im just shooting out an idea here..

What if someone made a portal that you need to pay for, and someone makes a mod that installs PunBB forums for it? That wouldnt be in violation with the GPL, as the forum itself was free. Right?

I would really think about making this portal GPL. I would never pay for a website. Maybe its because I can code, but even if I forgot everything I know, I would still go with a free one such as PHP-Nuke

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19 Reply by Herbie

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Re: Distribution of punBB with my software

Gary13579 wrote:

Im just shooting out an idea here..

What if someone made a portal that you need to pay for, and someone makes a mod that installs PunBB forums for it? That wouldnt be in violation with the GPL, as the forum itself was free. Right?

I would really think about making this portal GPL. I would never pay for a website. Maybe its because I can code, but even if I forgot everything I know, I would still go with a free one such as PHP-Nuke

Yeah like what Gary said. If I release it without punBB but I allow punBB to be installed and have it set to work with PunBB after selling the portal by itself, would that be cool? So after people buy the software they have to download PunBB seperately to get full accessibility, would that be allowed, these licenses are confusing to me! I don't want people downloading it for free because I am trying to make a few buck to get myself a car, then I will start releasing it for free!

  • From: 127.0.0.1
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Re: Distribution of punBB with my software

Yes, if you instead of integrating PunBB into the download instruct people to download it seperately, it should be fine.

"Programming is like sex: one mistake and you have to support it for the rest of your life."

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