[App_rpt-users] Allmon/2

Wed Dec 19 20:49:37 UTC 2018

William, 

If you must know the truth, included in my reply below is a post that was made to the app_rpt
in October from Kevin Custer.

This should explain the history and why we have two  outlets or groups. 

73

Marshall - ke6pcv 

From: App_rpt-users [mailto:app_rpt-users-bounces at lists.allstarlink.org] On Behalf Of Kevin
Custer
Sent: Wednesday, October 24, 2018 7:03 PM
To: Users of Asterisk app_rpt
Subject: Re: [App_rpt-users] App_rpt-users Digest, Vol 116, Issue 13

AllStarLink, Inc. is an assembly of people selected to carry out the project and vision of Jim
Dixon (SK).  Jim is now passed on and was the inventor of AllStar Link.  He is also responsible
for many aspects of Asterisk and mainly wrote the app_rpt software application that makes
Asterisk capable of being a full blown repeater controller, capable of several ports per
computer host.  AllStar has always been an open source project, as Jim Dixon had no interest in
selling it outright, or as a paid application.  To say the very least, Jim Dixon was all about
open source.  The AllStar project is protected by GPL,
<https://www.novell.com/coolsolutions/feature/1532.html>  a license that's visible when viewing
the Source Code of AllStarLink and every derivative of it.

The folks at AllStarLink put a lot of time, effort, and money into continuing the AllStar Link
project.  They are fully responsible for vetting new members (making sure they a licensed
amateur radio operators), issuing node numbers, running servers to allow connections between
its members, and a website to make it all happen.  AllStarLink provides free support via
several contact methods.   AllStarLink is (mainly) funded by several individuals who regularly
donate to it.  In other words, it's generally free to the users.  This doesn't mean it's free
to maintain.  There are real monthly costs associated with running it.  I've personally carried
the monthly fees myself.  I'm not mentioning this for any recognition - I'm simply trying to
let folks know it's not free to make this project available to the amateur public.  

Jim Dixon was a brilliant man, but not a easy one to work with.  I had a few uncomfortable
conversations with Jim myself.  But, you soon learned that it was what it was, and you played
as he wanted.

The folks at HamVoIP had several ideas of their own and were mostly met with resistance from
Jim.  That led to Jim making the statement that the folks at HamVoIP should fork the project,
and do as they please.  That's exactly what happened, but there's a catch....  

If you fork a project protected by the GPL, you must do one of two things:
1 - Use it for your own purposes and NOT distribute or support it publicly.
2 - Comply with the GPL and release your changes to the public.

If (and only if) you do the latter, are you allowed to redistribute your version of the work.
What does this mean?

It's perfectly legal to fork a Linux project, but, if you are going to redistribute a
derivative to the general public, you MUST release the source code.

NO ONE would have an issue with the HamVoIP project if they simply complied, and released the
source.   Wouldn't that be the "right" thing to do?  

HamVoIP does not directly support the project financially, or otherwise.  They are not
responsible for the membership.  In recent months, they are quick to take credit for all of
AllStar, but they don't really have much to do with it.  They even go on to make a very
negative public perception of all of the folks at AllStarLink.  For example, just go look at
their home page and read the section on "August 15, 2018".  While the transition of making the
server stack more reliable and diverse didn't go exactly as planned, we're not a bunch of
buffoons either.  Personally, attacks like this hurt the core of what we're trying to do -
continue with a great project.  They hurt me and the rest of the team personally - but we're
supposed to pretend they don't exist.  Bryan has more time (and possibly more money) in the
AllStar project than anyone else since Jim's passing.  Maybe now you understand his position
more clearly.  AllStarLink is responsible for the most of it, but HamVoIP has led people to
believe THEY are AllStar, but they're not.  And - now you know why.  

Kevin Custer W3KKC
Board Member
AllStarLink, Inc.

From: App_rpt-users [mailto:app_rpt-users-bounces at lists.allstarlink.org] On Behalf Of william
howell
Sent: Wednesday, December 19, 2018 6:59 AM
To: Users of Asterisk app_rpt
Subject: Re: [App_rpt-users] Allmon/2

For the powers to be or are,

Who is the "other group" claiming to be developers of Allstar that has and is being mentioned
and what is the difference between this Allstar here and that Allstar there? Are the two not
open source and both base source code the same?  Why are there apparently two different outlets
and not just one as there was?

Only asking for my benefit and the benefit of others that still, like me, may not know.

Thank you,

William R Howell, CEO
Amphibicom, A Division of
Amphibian Technologies & Solutions
20587 State Highway 19 South Suite #13
Canton, Texas 75103
Office: 903-287-0069
Fax: 972-275-6069

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