Mandrake 7.0 ( for integrated debugger ) - AND - legal question

[Jerry L Kreps]

Serge Lussier wrote:
> 
> HI jbb anf All - This is a long message.
>  - I want to apologize for the late response, and more important
> the fact that I did not install the latest Kdevlop version to test
> against Mandrake 7.0 . I'm sorry.
> 
> The reason is because I am in a huge rush at work. So rush than I have
> to work also at home .
> I am writing software for monitoring our jukebox's transactions over PPP
> / TCP/IP  communications.
> ( server / client/ presentation client  applications)  Maybe you're
> wondering why I'm exposing my situation...
> 
> Here is why - ( if you're curious ) because I'm going to ask a delicate
> question regarding the GPL licenses.
> 
> - My employer is Touchtunes Music Corporation. ( NASDAC: TTMC  )
>   Or Touchtunes Digital Jukebox ( here in Canada ).
>   Take a look at www.touchtunes.com if you want more informations.
> 
> The fist two parts of my project is done ( client/ server) they are
> deamons-like processes with no need of
> user interface running on Linux machines. I've made it  in c/c++.
> 
> Here is my delicate situation:
>  - Now I have to write a client application which will display the
> status of our machines ( touchutnes servers,
>  jukebox  status etc... ). Thus, a GUI client for the network operator
> and other development departments.
> I want to point this:  Because I'm processing confidential and internal
> information, I can't relase to public any software I make in the
> company.  This software is for internal use only.

"internal use only" says it all.  As I understand the GPL,
as long as your don't  sell or give your binaries to a third
party you can use GPL tools till the Sun stops shining. If,
on the other hand, you are distributing the binaries to
individuals who are NOT working for your company, then you
must release your modified source code  with the binaries or
give the source to anyone who asks for it AND you must
purchase a Qt license to continue using KDevelop for
commerical production.  IMHO, but IANAL.


> 
> During the development , I wrote a GUI for testing the first two parts
> to visualize my tests.
> And yes, I've made it with the help of Kdevelop under KDE/QT on my Linux
> workstation at work AND at home.

KDevelop is a great tool, isn't it!


> During hte development, I was really impressed of how it is easy with
> Kdevelop, KDE and QT .
> So pleased, than I started to make my GUI test client more complex and
> complete.
> 
>  - BUT, since I don't understand the KDE/QT and Kdevelop licenses and
> how I can make my employer
> to  go into legal complications, -AND- before I continue, I'm scared
> that I'm violating the QT / KDE /Kdevelop CopyRights.
> I don;t have GUI development experiences. Thus I wish I could keep using
> QT/KDE/Kdevelop at work
> for our internal use. And my employer does not have enough budget for
> tools without a serious study of a project.
> ( QT Windows/UNIX commercial license is  about $30000 can. ... OUCH! ).
> 
>  - This only invoque the GUI/client part of the project. If I'm
> violating any thing, I will destroy
> all of what I made with QT/KDE/Kdevelop tools.
> 
> I was planning to write it in JAVA because of the multi-platform
> facilities, tools we already have payed the
> legal fees.  ( .. and also M$-Visual C++ $$$ -:(  wich I won't touch and
> thing about ).

You may find JAVA  TOOOOO SLOOOOW....  But, if you are going
to use it I found that IBM's VisualAge for Java 3.0 is an
excellent GUI RAD tool.  It looks and operates exactly the
same on both Linux and WinXX and, of course, the source code
is portable.


> 
> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
> Then, can I write the third part ( Presentation client ) using
> KDE/QT/Kdevelop ?
> 
>  - I 'm really screwed with the QT Linux CopyRights I can't catch  the
> usage limits under Linux
>     againdt the professionnal QT licenses.
>  - I don;t want to involve my chief project at wok with legal stuff. ( I
> don;t want him to know for now )...
>  - This GUI software is not going to be used for profits/commercial
> usage - only as an internal tool.
>  - I just started to have some professionnal implications. So I'm a
> newbie...
> <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
> HELP!
> 
> thanx very much for your attention and your help.
> 
> Regards,
> Serge Lussier,
> ICQ#53409121
> Learning the wonderful world of Linux at:
> lusse at videotron.ca -> at home
> but still intensively playing M$-Windows Tribbes game as
> -|ll|-LinuxBretz player
> on the < Cain's Lair  > server. - EVERY DAY -
> 
> lusse at touchtunes.com -> at work.