#1199 Re: [osFree] Open Sourcing of OS/2 et al...
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Tom Lee Mullins
Mar 3, 2005
Mark D. Overholser wrote:
>
> I have been thinking about "The Open Sourcing of OS/2" (again).
>
> I have been an OS/2 user since JUN-1993.
> (See this link for a history of my computer experience
> <
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/os2user/message/2745>)
>
> I am not an expert, but I have followed most all the History of OS/2.
>
>
> There has been MUCH talk about asking OS/2 to release the Source Code to
> OS/2, and there has been much talk for IBM'ers and Former IBM'ers about
> why IBM can not release the Source Code.
>
> BACKGROUND HISTORY
> =====================================================
> Read some history on OS/2 from "Michal Necasek" here:
> <
http://pages.prodigy.net/michaln/history/index.html>
>
>
> The REALLY BIG PROBLEM is MicroSoft!! MS and IBM Jointly Developed OS/2
> (ver 1.x that is). There is Shared Copyrights involved. IBM might be
> willing, but MicroSoft won't be (interested in releasing the Source Code).
>
> The best thing about OS/2, is that Unlike Windows 9x/NT, the "parts" are
> "separate".
>
> Lets start with 32 bit OS/2 (OS/2 2.x to Current).
>
>
> MicroSoft has "rights" to:
>
> The 16 bit (OS/2 1.x ) part of OS/2.
> The Server Message Block (SMB) Peer and Client networking.
> and
> The Presentation Manager GUI interface (OS/2 1.x ) which, IIRC is still
> available in the current version of Warp.
>
> MicroSoft may not have "rights" to:
> The TCP/IP stack.
> IBM "ported" the TCP/IP stack from the AIX version (4.1 and newer), (and
> ported originally from BSD...). See:
> <
http://www.mo.himolde.no/~ltning/os2/
> <
http://www.mo.himolde.no/%7Eltning/os2/>> (No longer available
)
> and
> <
http://os2.in.ru/guru/tcpip/ipsece.html>
>
> The WorkPlace Shell.
> IBM started on 32 bit OS/2, and MicroSoft went on there own way with
> Windows 3.x.
>
> Other 32 Bit Code parts, like the Graphic Sub System, and such.
>
> The Source Code for OS/2 PPC.
>
>
> I doubt that MicroSoft has any Copyrights on OS/2's TCP/IP stack or the
> WorkPlace Shell, or other IBM specific things added after the BreakUp.
> =====================================================
>
>
> I propose, that WE ask IBM to release the Source Code for the parts of
> OS/2, that were developed AFTER the BreakUp of IBM/MicroSoft OS/2 1.x
> development. Since there is MOST LIKELY, limited cross licensing
> involved.
>
> The OSFree groups would need to develop the Kernel, and Core OS (Like
> OS/2 1.0 SE, but 32 bit), add Samba for the SMB File Sharing, Open JFS
> and other Open Source parts to get the OS up and running.
>
> The Contributed (IBM) Source would add the WPShell, and TCP/IP (enhanced
> to IPv6 ??) and other 32bit parts.
>
>
> The "trick here", is getting someone at IBM to look through ALL the
> Parts of OS/2, and checking the Licenses in respect to MicroSoft and
> other 3rd Parties.. And then getting releases or cleaning up the Code,
> to get it released as Open Source.
>
>
> What do you all think?
>
>
> MarkO
>
Thank you for the information.
I am hoping with IBM's 'release' and 'support' of software
and open source projects, it might continue that trend with
OS/2. Perhaps some is doing what you are suggesting? (being
very optimistic).
TomLeeM
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