Demos

[Tony Baechler]

Hi all,

I have lots of disk space and access to a reliable web server running 
Debian Etch.  I will host demos of any old DOS products for the blind 
that people want to send.  I'm not really interested in magnifiers or 
Windows programs with the possible exception of Win 3.1.  I will host 
full versions that are not demos only if I get a legal statement from 
the person sending me the files that they have contacted the company in 
question and the company allows it.  I must also have copies of the 
email from the actual company stating this fact.  I will not share the 
email unless I'm asked.  I will leave it to someone else to make an 
image if they want.

Regarding getting software relicensed, I doubt if the GPL would happen 
but a "freeware" closed source license probably would happen.  The 
companies aren't that hard to convince in some cases.  I'm sure Larry of 
Microtalk would do it but I don't know him personally.  I would really 
like to see APH release their Apple II software.  I am not experienced 
in advocating for license changes but I would appreciate it if someone 
would ask the various companies.  I'm sure GW Micro wouldn't go for it 
just because they still sell Vocal-Eyes.  I would be surprised if 
Freedom Scientific would either.  Humanware might because they use Linux 
as the OS on the Victor Reader Stream and seem to be more open.

I'm not into regular DOS software demos unless they are very old, 
unusual, somehow significant, or otherwise hard to find.  There are 
already other sites doing that.  It should specifically be for the blind 
or have something to do with speech or Braille.  Due to a router issue, 
ftp doesn't work right so email attach is probably best.  If someone 
wants to walk me through fixing ftp on a Linksys router, I'll try my 
luck.  Don't expect any fancy web page but I'll put up the files 
assuming they are legal demos and not huge.  Huge is subject to my 
judgment but disk space isn't a problem right now.

Gaijin wrote:
> 	Think it would be nice to collect all this old stuff and put it
> on a CD or DVD iso image.  I wonder what some of these defunct companies
> would say if we asked them to release the old, no longer supported
> source code to the GPL.  I miss the old WordStar Professional word
> processor.
>