14 Apr
2003
14 Apr
'03
8:34 a.m.
Yup, version 5 and it won't do MFM and RLL HDs. Can
any justification be made for any restrictions on the
dissemnation of old software such as this which in no way
cuts into the sales of his newest product ?
This is an on-going debate among classic computer
collectors and some formalistic posture as to the useage
of outmoded software is ludicrous. Most of the old
hardware we attempt to get up and running would be
consigned to landfills if we religeously held to that
position. This is not about stealing the bread from some
hardworking programmers table but should be about his
responsibility to the community that enabled him to
continue his type of work. If it's no longer a viable product
and is not supported, all deals are off. This would not
justify someone coming along and marketing his product.
That's a different ball of wax.
I just checked my version of Spinrite 1.2a. Under
liscensing it says:
o Consultant License --
Consultants who wish to repair and revitalize systems
belonging to others may do so by executing our
CONSULTING USE LICENSING AGREEMENT
and paying a $10 fee each time SpinRite is used on
another system.
SpinRite must not, of course, be installed onto those
drives.
I hope those taking this position have religeously
submitted the $10 whenever they've used it on someone
elses machine.
Lawrence
On 14 Apr 2003, , Marvin Johnston wrote:
Lawrence Walker wrote:
lgwalker@ mts.net
Why does this legalistic crap with high moral tone
forever come up on the list. For the most part almost all
old computer collectors are using programs illegally.
Spinrite made their money off this version back when MFM
and RLL drives were still current. They no longer provide
it and haven't seen fit to offer it to PD.
Whoa boy, I *will* speak up when this listserver starts
publicly doing things that are not in the best interests of
the classic computer community. We are talking about
software that is still a viable commercial product (although
granted, it appears to be an older version.) Trying to trash
the reputation of this hobby is not something that I will be
a part of, and I *will* say something.
Before you start saying they (GRC) no longer provides it,
where did you come up with that information???
http://grc.com/default.htm still has an announcement
prominently offering SpinRite in their top banner.