|
|
Posted by Jerry Stuckle on 07/23/07 12:02
Martin Larsen wrote:
> Jerry Stuckle wrote:
>
>> Martin Larsen wrote:
>>> Is there a way to contact the PHP Group directly?
>
>> Why?
>>
>> If you understood the technology, the answer would be clear. Rather,
>> I suggest you visit your local library or bookstore and find out how
>> interpreters work.
>
> Ok, I will tell you why. I had hoped it was not necessary, but here it
> is...
>
> I do in fact know how interpreters work. I have actually written one
> myself. Being a professional windows programmer for ages, I have also
> learned the hard way the distinct difference between dynamic and static
> libraries: missing DLL files on the end user's computer preventing the
> programs from even starting.
>
Wow. A WINDOWS programmer. So you've been programming for what - 15
years, maybe? And you've programmed for ONE OS? Wow.
And you wrote an interpreter? Golly, Gee, Batman. I guess that makes
you an expert on everything! ROFLMAO!
> I deliberately asked the question in a simple minded manner as I did not
> want my own view of the matter to bias the replies. The thing is that
> the core team behind a major CMS (Joomla) has recently changed their
> mind about non-GPL plugins (or scripts, if you like). Until then they
> accepted and welcomed proprietary plugins, but now they say that since
> the CMS is GPL, the plugins must also be GPL to comply.
>
You got answers to the question you asked.
> Now, I don't wish this thread to be for or against GPL. I only want to
> discuss the reasoning behind their claims. The point is that they argue
> that most extensions are *derivative work* of the CMS (even though they
> normally don't include a single line of code from it) because they are
> statically linked to the CMS. If they were dynamically linked, the
> matter would be different.
>
This has nothing to do with PHP programming. I suggest you take it over
to the Joomla newsgroup.
> Yep, that is what they say. While you and I can agree that it doesn't
> make much sense to talk about linking for interpreters, they
> nevertheless use it in their argumentation. And that is why I asked the
> question: Are PHP libraries linked dynamically or statically?
>
That's their problem. If you understood as well as you say, you would
have the answer to your question.
> In my opinion they make two mistakes: the first is to talk about linking
> at all, the second is to claim that the plugins are statically linked.
>
That could be. But it's not a topic for this newsgroup.
> As I see it, even when we are not really talking linking, the
> characteristics of the processes involved in the INCLUDE more closely
> resembles dynamic linking than static linking. Which means that their
> argumentation is wrong no matter what.
>
It resembles INCLUDES. It has nothing to do with linking.
> As it happens, we (third-party developers for Joomla) have tried hard to
> make them see that their arguments are wrong. But they keep claiming
> that the scripts are statically linked and thus derivative works of the
> CMS.
>
Then build your own CMS.
> And now to my question: Is there a way to contact the PHP Group directly?
>
Why? They can't change Joomla's mind, either. Nor are they going to
change Joomla's terminology.
> I have an idea that if we could get a "official" statement of the
> linking or non-linking involved, they might be more prone to listening.
>
This has nothing to do with their use of terminology. It is a licensing
issue, and they have a write to require licenses for their CMS to follow
their rules.
> And again, I certainly don't want the PHP Group or any other to comment
> on the good or bad of plugins being GPL because that is entirely
> irrelevant. I just sincerely believe that their technical resoning is
> entirely wrong.
>
You're discussing legal issues, and should be talking to an attorney.
But historically Joomla is on solid legal ground. The terminology they
use is not important. The fact your tools ARE derivative works is.
> Thanks,
> Martin
Please don't bring your argument over here. We're not interested.
--
==================
Remove the "x" from my email address
Jerry Stuckle
JDS Computer Training Corp.
jstucklex@attglobal.net
==================
Navigation:
[Reply to this message]
|