Public Domain software

PUBDOMN has  26 messages, last updated on 07-30-1986

   1: Contents of the PUBDOMN Topic           11-11-1983 IBM               

    The purpose of this topic is to discuss issues related to public domain   
software.  How your group gets it, how you distribute it, what standards 
you have for approving it for distribution, formats for documentation, etc.   


   2: Text Mode Display Compatibility         03-09-1984 BOB KRUGGEL       


(This message was re-printed from the March issue of EXCHANGE) 
                            Bob Kruggel   
                  Burlington Vermont Users Group
       
If you are writing software that is supposed to run with either
the monochrome or graphics display, be aware of some significant   
differences between these adapters and how they interpret the 
color command.  Listed below are the meanings of the foreground
color for the displays.
       
FORGRND      DISPLAY TYPE   
 COLOR   MONO            GRAPHICS
       
0       WHITE            BLACK   
1       UNDERLINED       BLUE   
2       WHITE            GREEN   
3       WHITE            CYAN   
4       WHITE            RED
5       WHITE            MAGENTA 
6       WHITE            BROWN   
7       BRIGHT WHITE     WHITE   
8       BRT UNDLINED     GRAY   
9       BRIGHT WHITE     LT BLUE 
10      BRIGHT WHITE     LT GREEN
11      BRIGHT WHITE     LT CYAN 
12      BRIGHT WHITE     LT RED 
13      BRIGHT WHITE     LT MAGENTA   
14      BRIGHT WHITE     YELLOW 
15      BRIGHT WHITE     BRT WHITE   
       
Add  16  to  the foreground color for blinking  on  both  display   
types. 
       
Try  to  envision  what  your program will look like on the other   
type of display,  especially  note  that there is no underline on   
the graphics adapter. 
       
If you are poking directly to the  display  memory,  test for the   
type of display being used  and  adjust your segment accordingly,   
as shown below.   
       
DEF SEG=0   
SEGTYPE=(PEEK(&H410) AND (&H30) 
IF SEGTYPE>32 THEN SEGMENT=&HB000:   
   ELSE SEGMENT=&HB800 
DEF SEG=SEGMENT   
       
Not only will these recommendations make your software useable on   
both  types  of  adapters,  it  will make  a user  group  library   
committee's job a lot easier.   


   3: Boca Distribution of User Group Librarys05-11-1984 KEN HARRISON       


Is the Boca user group support function planning on distributing   
user group public domain software to other user groups.  Are we
allowed to upload our public domain programs so that other user
groups can download them on this TIE? 

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   4: Distribution of Public Domain Software  05-14-1984 USER GROUP SUPPORT 


Ken:   
   No, we do not plan on being able to distribute programs, nor even
lists of programs.  We are staying out of this area due to the diff-
iculty in actually determining just what is public domain.
       
   The only activity in this area will be possibly putting together 
a document which describes how user groups can best determine what pro- 
grams are public domain.  If your group has such a guideline please 
contribute it here.   
Mark Chance           IBM User Group Support   

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   5: Are You Sure Its Public Domain?         06-06-1984 KEN HARRISON       


I would like to hear from other user groups to see how they make sure   
that a peice of software is public domain before they put it in their   
library. Sometimes I get the feeling that the attitude is that it   
would   
be more trouble than it is worth to sue so just put it in anyway and
take it out if anybody starts making noise.  Is that in fact the mode   
of operation in any club or are you all sure that your programs are 
public domain?   

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   6: PC/BLUE PUBLIC DOMAIN Library           11-19-1984 SOL LIBES         


     The Amateur Computer Group of New Jersey and New York Amateur 
Computer Club jointly operate the PC/BLUE Public Domain Software   
Library.  It currently contains close to 90 disks.  For a copy of   
the printed catalog listing the contents of all the volumes send   
$3 ($4 foreign) to PC/BLUE, Box 97, Iselin NJ 08830. 
      Clubs who wish to automatically receive new releases, as 
issued, call or write: Bob Todd, 1121 Briarwood, Bensalem PA 19020; 
(215)752-4604.   
      Individuals can order the disks from NYACC, Box 106, Church   
Street Station, NY NY 1008, or call: (212)864-4595.  Disks are $6   
postpaid (foreign add $3/order). 

The next message is:

   7: PD determination of files               11-27-1984 VIC BACHULIS       


Greetings: In answer to your question, I determine what is public doman 
(domain) and what is not by several methods:   
1) Is it in general use?   
2) Are there ANY copyright notices and/or restrictions stated in the
   physical program itself (yes, this sometimes requires disassembling   
   the code to look)? 
3) Is it listed in any of the numerous catalogs of PD software?
4) I consult other sysops (yes, I am a sysop. Fido 59 in Beaverton, 
   Oregon, 1-503-629-5581) about the program   
5) Have I seen it on other boards either locally or around the 
   country? 
If none of the above items answers that all-important question, I   
sometimes have to make a judgement call about a program.  A bit
risky, but usually there isn't much of a problem in determining
if a program is PD or not. Hope that helps.
                   Vic Bachulis, Sysop, Fido 59 
                   Portland IBM PC Users' Group 

The next message is:

   8: PD software master list ???             01-02-1985 DOUG WINDHAM       


I agree with Vic's comments on how to identify PD software.   
At this point there is no 100% sure way to tell.
Now I have a question.  How can you catalog effectively all   
of the public domain software that is available.  I noticed   
PC BLUE is at about 90 disks now,  which would be hundreds
of programs.  Some of which are excellent, some are not so
valuable.  How do you know which are good, bad, and so-so 
, much less what they all do ?? Anybody got any great ideas   
                                 Doug Windham   
                                 Disk Librarian 
                                 North Texas IBM PC User Group 

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   9: PD SOFTWARE                             01-03-1985 E TAMPASIS         


I AGREE WITH THE ABOVE NOTICE ON PD SOFTWARE.I'M PRESIDENT OF THE DECAT 
UR IBM CLUB IN DECATUR.IL WE'RE NEW TO THE CLUB BUSINESS BUT WE ARE 
OFFERING PD SOFTWARE TO OUR MEMBERS.WE BUY THIS SOFTWARE FROM CALF. 
C-SIG WE'VE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS YET THEY PUBLISH A MONTHLY   
LETT AND KEEP YOU UPDATED ON NEW PD SOFTWARE.I BELIEVE THIS APPROCH MIG 
HT BE A BETTER WAY TO PD SOFTWARE.THEY WATCH WHAT THEY PUT OUT.
                        ****************************************** 
                            E.A.TAMPASIS   
                            DECATUR,IL
                            PRESIDENT DECATUR IBM/COMPATIBLES CLUB 
                           *************************************** 

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  10: PD SW cataloging and how to do it.      01-16-1985 VIC BACHULIS       


Doug -- In response to your query, here is how <I> intend to do it 
when I get the time (!)........First off, depending on how your library 
is set up, you should probably do a DIR > MASTDIR for EACH AND EVERY
DISK.........Once having done this, go through and mark off each direct 
ory listing by volume number.  Then, clear out the info about date and   
time and file-size using something like PC-WRITE or some editor that wi 
ll handle BIG ASCII files.  Set up two columns: One for the PROGNAME.EX 
T and one for an identifier code.  For volume 1 this might be 1A. Go
through and put this code next to each program listed in the DIR for
the first volume.  Then go through and do it for the second volume and   
third, etc, like so:   
PROGNAME.EXT   IDENTIFIER   
-------------------------   
VOLUME 1, COMM SW 
=========================   
HOSTCALL.EXE     1A   
HOSTCALX.EXE     1A   
-------------------------   
VOLUME 2, BBS STUFF   
=========================   
PCRBBS.EXE       2B   
CONFIG.EXE       2B   
Once you have done this, take out ALL the headers so you have nothing l 
left except the filename.ext and the identifier:
HOSTCALL.EXE     1A   
HOSTCALX.EXE     1A   
PCRBBS.EXE       2B   
CONFIG.EXE       2B   
Then, pipe this baby through SORT or some such program.  This way, 
you'll be able to find the duplicates relatively easily as well as 
have a sorted list of ALL files within your library and be able to 
tell what disk exactly a file resides on. I hope this is some help 
to you. Let me know.  Vic   

The next message is:

  11: Distribution of BASRUN.EXE              01-23-1985 DOUG WINDHAM       


TO:  IBM USER GROUP SUPPORT 
       
Is it against IBM policy to distribute BASRUN.EXE with a compiled   
BASIC program.  I received a donation to our club, but it requires 
the BASIC runtime program BASRUN.EXE.  The person donating the 
program included a copy, but I will not distribute it until I 
hear from IBM that it is OK.

The next message is:

  12: BASRUN.EXE POLICY                       01-24-1985 USER GROUP SUPPORT 


The following paragraph is taken from page 4 of the BASIC 
Compiler manual. 
     Application programs which require the BASRUN.EXE   
     runtime module cannot be distributed without entering
     into a license agreement with IBM.  A copy of the license 
     agreement can be obtained by writing to IBM at:  P.O. Box 
     1328-P  Boca Raton, FL  33432.  Note, however, that it is 
     possible to develop programs with the BASIC Compiler which
     do not use the BASRUN.EXE runtime module, and therefore   
     don't require the license agreement. 
If you compile with the /O option, this tells the compiler to 
compile the program so that it does not use the runtime module.
User Group Support

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  13: PD TESTING PROGRAM BY PCUG  OF LICA     02-16-1985 ARTHUR SKOPEC     


Though there is no single complete listing of PD programs at this   
time, one is in the process of being written.  My User Group is
working with the author to review some 300 disks that have been
acquired from other User Group libraries and BBS around the country.
This project will result in a collection of standardized reviews of 
included programs along with information on the hardware requirements   
to run particular programs.  Programs will also be broken down by   
categories and their ease of use, utility etc. will be noted. 

The next message is:

  14: GETTING PD FOR NEW USER GROUP           02-24-1986 GENE SAILSBURY     


I WOULD LIKE SOME INPUT ON GETTING PD SOFTWARE FOR OUR NEW USER GROUP.   
WOULD SOME OF YOU GIVE ME HINTS. OUR USER GROUP (SOUTHEAST KANSAS PC
USER GROUP) SEKPCUG, HAS VERY LIMITED FUNDS AT THIS TIME BUT WE WOULD   
LIKE TO START A PD LIBRARY SOON. WE HAVE DOWNLOADED FROM OTHER BBS BUT   
THIS COST A LOT OF MONEY. PLEASE LEAVE ME A NOTE. THANK YOU. ALSO WE
ARE IN NEED OF SOME NEWSLETTERS IF ANYONE HAS SOME TO SEND TO US.   
                                   GENE SAILSBURY   
                                   206 SOUTH WALNUT 
                                   PITTSBURG,KANSAS 66762 
                                   PRES. SEKPCUG

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  15: PD Vs. Shareware.                       03-03-1986 MATT HALL         

...R...


TO:Anyone knowledgable 
       
Recently a member asked a very intriguing question. "What is the   
difference between public domain software and software that is 
entitled 'shareware'?" 
I have read over a hundred software licensing agreements and have   
not been able to come to a conclusion about the difference. Could   
someone who is more knowledgable than I am please inform me of 
this discrepency? 
           Thank you, 
                     Matt J Hall 
                     President Manatee PC User's Group   
                     3209 20th Ave. W.
                     Bradenton,Fl. 33505   

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  16: Shareware vs Public domain              03-05-1986 RALPH JENSEN       


My thoughts on the differences between Public domian software are; 
Public domain software is software given to the computer user 
community with no charge asked for or charged for the software.
Shareware or 'User Supported' is given freely for distribution by any   
means( copy freely, BBS downloadable, etc.) But, the author asks the
user to send a donation to him for his work on developing the 
software. Shareware is a way of distributing the software. I hope this   
helps clear up your questions.   
          Ralph Jensen 
          TC/PC Users Group 
          P.O. Box 3163
          Minneapolis, MN 55403 

The next message is:

  17: Trojan Horse                            03-08-1986 DON SINGLETON     


WARNING - WARNING - WARNING All PC users!  Beware of a new
Trojan Horse program making the rounds on bulletin board 
systems on the West Coast.  The latest is called ARC600.EXE,   
what it does is format every available drive on a system. 
The current release version of the legitimate ARChive
program is version 5.12. --This warning copied from a
message on cis that Rob Blaine said he found on the CTSA 
board in Austin, TX.   

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  18: Copyright Notice VS. Public Domain      03-14-1986 BOB HERALD         


Some software that I would call Public Domain (ARC, i.e.), has a   
copyright notice but does not expressly ask for money unless the   
user is a corporation or the U.S. Government.  It also is in wide   
distribution.  If it was a "part" it could not be patented.  Would 
you consider it Public Domain Software?  I just pulled out my 
copy of the documentation - it states that I am granted a limited   
license to use, copy, and distribute it as long as I don't
charge for it or change it.  Do you consider it PD? 

The next message is:

  19: PD Software with copyright notice       04-01-1986 BRENT AVERA       


As long as the license agreeement states that you can use and 
distribute the software freely as long as you don't charge and as long   
as you are not a Corp. or the US Govt I would consider that Public 
domain software. The intent by the author seems to be to get the   
software into the hands of the public freely without those who can 
afford to pay (corps and govt) distributing the program around their
companies or offices. 
It mkes sense that corps and the govt can afford to and should pay for   
programs that they use.

The next message is:

  20: Looking for P.D. IBM-Sig software       04-21-1986 DWAYNE FORSYTH     



I'm with the Michigan Tech PCUG, we curently have disk 200 through 360   
of the PC-SIG. We are looking for user groups who we can trade 
software to add to our colection. We would like to stick with only 
PC-Sig disk until we have the whole thing (We also know that software   
in the IBM-SIG is public Domain, because we are a student organization   
at a University, the school is having us prove that the software in 
lib. is legal to trade.
                                                 Michigan Tech 
                        Dwayne Forsyth           MTPCUG   
                        President MTPCUG         ACS Mailbox   
                        (906)-487-1000 voice     Houghton, Mi 49931 

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  21: BASRUN.EXE                              04-21-1986 RON DUNCAN         


Is there a newer policy on the distribution of BASRUN.EXE 
then the date of the previous question about this subject?
I recently saw something that suggested there was a more 
liberal policy now(about Feb. '86 I believe) than what I read on the
board today(Apr. '86) 

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  22: HAVE PD SOFTWARE                        05-07-1986 SEAN WOODS         


If there is anyone who would like to trade PD software please contact   
me. We have a few disks and would like to expand our library. Thanks
you!   
                           Sean Woods 
                           Newport County Users Group
                           Middletown, RI 

The next message is:

  23: Sean Woods                              05-09-1986 DWAYNE FORSYTH     


Sean, would like to trae p.d. software. you did not leave your full 
adress. What you left was missing the street address, street, and zip   
code.   
       
               Dwayne Forsyth   
               Michigan Tech
               MTPCUG 
               ASC Mailbox 
               Houghton, MI 49931

The next message is:

  24: Freeware comm. aids                     05-12-1986 ROB MACKENNA       


Two new packages have been released by SINIS Development Division to
aid those of you who use Qmodem.  They are in the form of a Script 
file (with ample documentation) for use with Qmodem 2.0+.  These   
packages, EBBS-LOG.ARC and NOCH-LOG.ARC allow you to auto-logon to any   
EBBS (including this one) or NOCHANGE (v6.1) system.  Leave message if   
interested...
       
Or call:
Mists of Avalon SINIS-1 -- 919-756-6151   

The next message is:

  25: Educational PD SW for 3-5 yr old needed 06-09-1986 MIKE CABAT         



One of our members is looking for public domain educational software
that would be appropriate for a 3 to 5 year old  and, of course, will   
run on an IBM PC.  She didn't tell me what kind of monitor she has, so   
I assume that color/graphics is no  problem.   
Please leave me a message if you can give me any leads for her.
Thanks, 
Mike Cabat, 
Indianapolis IBM PCUG 

The next message is:

  26: TELLING THE DIFFERENCE (PD OR NOT?)     06-19-1986 GARY FLEMING       


Unfortunately for many, there are a lot of programs making their way
around this country that are both public domain AND copyrighted.   
This can be a troubling problem for people who want to keep their   
boards and libraries clean.  The people who write these programs   
surely can take a little longer to include a proper introduction of 
their package that would tell the users whether or not they can use 
the package in the public domain.  I know that there are some good 
copyrighted programs that are also PD.  The copyrighted material   
should be properly labeled (at least before the notice is taken off 
by some jerk).  Public domain stuff should be clearly marked that the   
author intended the program to be passed around the country free of 
charge.  As far as how I determine how the program is PD or not, I 
assume that it is PD until I find out differently.  If I did not   
follow 
this policy, our library would be very small indeed.  One thing I do
look at, however, is the size of the program.  This is usually a good   
way to tell the PD-ness of the program.  I don't expect a program less   
than 75-100K to be selling on many shelves for $29.95.   
                                       Gary Fleming 
                                       Baylor Users Group, President
                                       Waco, TX 
                                       (817)755-7603 

That's all the messages there are.
 would consider that Public 
domain software. The intent by the author seems to be to get the   

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