3rd Millennium releases code as open source

Posted Dec 16, 2003 11:01 UTC (Tue) by spiv (guest, #9031) [Link]

This does somewhat limit its immediate usefulness, but it doesn't mean it's not open source. For instance, it's possible to write GPLed software that only runs on Windows.

If someone really wants to use the software in a completely non-proprietary environment, then at least the source is there for them to port. IIRC, the original codebase for Mozilla open-sourced by Netscape didn't compile, because it required proprietary components that Netscape couldn't release. This hasn't stopped Mozilla from being a useful project, and hopefully we'll be able to say the same about 3rd Millennium given some time.

Posted Dec 16, 2003 11:05 UTC (Tue) by angdraug (subscriber, #7487) [Link]

Then releasing it under GPL makes perfect sense, as it provides incentive for someone to make it work with free DBMSes.

Posted Dec 16, 2003 13:37 UTC (Tue) by mdekkers (guest, #85) [Link]

You say that "This is clearly an issue...". It is not really clear that that is an issue for software licensed under the GNU GPL. It is an issue for people who only wish to run software licensed under the GNU GPL. However, those are two different things.

It takes a tremendous amount of courage for a company to shift from a proprietary to an open source mindset. Whinging about "this needs Oracle so it sucks" hardly gives them an incentive to continue, does it?

Posted Dec 16, 2003 15:11 UTC (Tue) by dbhost (guest, #3461) [Link]

While that may be true, but if it is released under the GPL, properly, meaning with the source code, it's only a matter of time, if developers are interested, in porting the product to an open source database such as MySQL or PostgreSQL. Be patient.

Posted Dec 16, 2003 15:34 UTC (Tue) by nhasan (subscriber, #1699) [Link]

Either you are an idiot or you are a troll. The fact that its now under GPL, someone can make it work with free DBMS alternatives. May be something for you to do since you are so concerned.