Re: [Groff] Introduction

[Ted Harding]

On 18-Oct-05 Werner LEMBERG wrote:
> 
>> We had a discussion on this list a few months ago, that if anyone
>> had done a WYSIWYG front-end for groff years ago, it would be more
>> viable for the masses.  Sigh.
> 
> Well, Larry and Ted showed scripts which can do that.  We should
> probably add such a thing to groff.  Volunteers to prepare a patch?
> Be warned that I need a copyright assignment (from those who haven't
> assigned one already) in case the added code is longer than around 15
> lines.

Re my script (which I've posted a couple of variants of): if I've
posted anything ever, it's up there for anyone to use as they please!

As far as formal copyright is concerned, I'm not sure of the
implications. That script is basically the one which I use all the
time, with some strictly local details stripped out; but it's
still somewhat specific to the way I use it. As a general resource,
it would need some "generalisation". As it stands, people can see
how it works. There's a little bit of intricacy at its core, which
is the key to how it works, but the general purpose of posting it
was that others can make whatever changes they need to adapt it to
their own way of doing things. For what it's worth, it is as much
yours as it is mine.

But once such a thing gets a "copyright assignment", does that
then put it into the grip of the GNU GPL or the like? With the
implication that if anyone makes a change and then passes on
the revised version, there must be the canonical reference to
the original sources or traceback thereto? Etc.?

If there are such implications, then I'd be a bit uneasy; that
seems like overkill!

While I'm a devotee of the principles of Free Software, and for
all that I recognise the protection that GPL etc. provide for
these principles, I'm also a devotee of Freedom From Bureaucracy!

(This also connects to UTP, which Meg mentioned, and I'll post
separately about that when I've had a bit more think ... ).

Best wishes to all,
Ted.


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Date: 18-Oct-05                                       Time: 09:26:21
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