> From: sdl-bounces <at> lists.libsdl.org
[mailto:sdl-bounces <at> lists.libsdl.org] On Behalf Of David Olofson
> Sent: Thursday, January 01, 2009 11:17 AM
> To: sdl <at> lists.libsdl.org
> Subject: Re: [SDL] Keep SDL Free Sam
>
> On Thursday 01 January 2009, Jesse P. wrote:
> Hi,
>
> In case you missed it go here:
> http://www.galaxygameworks.com/
>
> I think SDL should remain free.
>
> How do you feel about this?
>
> Who said SDL won't remain free...?
>
> Even in the unlikely case that Sam and co-authors
actually withdraw
> the LGPL option for some future release, the versions
released so far
> are still covered by the LGPL, so you're free to fork a
"new" LGPLed
> library off of any one of those. Your rights to use
that code are
> protected forever; that's one of the major points of
licenses like
> the LGPL.
>
> Either way, from what I understand, Sam is trying to
add something for
> those who are willing to pay for it. Apart from
official personal
> email support, we'll be able to use SDL on platforms
that an LGPLed
> library cannot support for legal reasons.
>
> This should be most welcomed by those of us who may
want to make their
> SDL based products available on more platforms, but
cannot really
> afford directly supporting a bunch of different APIs.
>
>
> <rant>
>
> You could argue that this is supporting "locked
in" platforms, but I
> don't really think a minority of developers refusing to
support such
> platforms is going to change anything. These platforms
still get
> enough attention to be worthwhile, so we might as well
support them
> for the extra $ and/or publicity.
>
> You know, make the misguided customers happy, to avoid
them blaming
> *us* for not supporting their platforms...
>
> In the long run, we might even nudge things in the
right direction, by
> luring users over to our preferred platforms, where our
software is
> available at a lower price. *hehe*
>
> </rant>
>
I agree with David.
There are a lot of similar software packages that use this model. Look at
MySQL, you can use it for free, but if you want the latest and greatest with
added support you have to buy a license. Consider it a “premium” option. You
can still use SDL 1.3 for Linux, PC, Mac, etc. for free. If you want to use it
in the iPhone/iPod or have static linking you can pay for a commercial license.
Hopefully this will also open the door for other console support that Sam
cannot currently include for legal reasons (as David mentions).
The only thing I would
ask Sam is for him to post the license fees on his new website so those of us
who are interested can order a commercial license.
- Ken Rogoway
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