[App_rpt-users] Allmon/2

Thu Dec 20 18:51:12 UTC 2018

Well, I used the Asterisk software back in the early days (1999-2000) of the beginning of Asterisk I still have the first release or so and most releases since).....and honestly don't recall Jim Dixon having any major say over any portion of Asterisk, specifically app_rpt, back then. I do recall several conversations with Mark Spencer and/or his staff back in the day (2001-2005) during the early releases of Asterisk pertaining to app_rpt and why it wasn't being advanced when the rest of the Asterisk version was being released. At that time it was apparent that there was more interest in the full-blown PBX portion of Asterisk than there was in the radio control portion of the Asterisk software. I never heard of Jim Dixon until Asterisk had stated that they were not going to further app_rpt module and that anyone thinking of advancing it was free to do so. So base on the experience I have with Digium & Asterisk software since its inception I'm not sure that even Jim Dixon had any proprietary rights to the source code of the app_rpt module than anyone else, other than Mark Spencer, did/does.

I've used Asterisk software since 1999-2000 as it was/is intended for. For both PBX systems and as a means to do radio control as I need. I personally don't care who has "rights" to it as I will always consider that Mark Spencer is the only one that has the rights to recognition for its development to begin with. What, if any, disputes among software developers, court battles, and/or any other conflicts there may be doesn't interest me period as long as the software is and remains open source use and that the software is being advanced. As long as advancements are being made I will go with those that do the advancements, or, I will move on, reinvent the wheel, and write my own code and be done.

Frankly, there is no reason that both HamVoip & AllstarLink can't work together, stop the division, settle differences, and open the source code the two of you have to all of us that are willing to help advance it. It's not like there's going to be tons of money to make off of it as there are enough of us that will eventually get tired of the BS, the lack of advancement that makes it worth using, and will start our own source code that will work for all those wanting to control their repeater/radios.

You must know by now that there are more users, other than Licensed Amateur Radio Operators, that have and are obtaining the software and using it for linking their repeaters across this nation. So why not decide to work together and make it useful for all.

That's my rant for the day, thanks for your input.

Have a great day,

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

Consulting, Sales and Services that specialize in the areas of wire & wireless communications, EOC (Emergency Operations Center), PEOC (Portable Emergency Operation Centers), Dispatch Consoles & Software, Central Dispatch Communications Centers, and Call Center Equipment..... Installation, Maintenance, and Management.......

Where Two-way Radios, Computers, Telephones, Telephone Land Lines, VOIP, Hardware & Software all come together........ Working together to make for better communications within our communities thru clubs and social networking....... A place where Commercial, Public Safety, GMRS, Amateur, Marine, Aircraft, and Military operators learn how to coexist together thru shared communications....... If it can be done ---- we can do it.....

________________________________
From: App_rpt-users <app_rpt-users-bounces at lists.allstarlink.org> on behalf of Marshall Oldham <ke6pcv at cal-net.org>
Sent: Wednesday, December 19, 2018 3:49 PM
To: 'Users of Asterisk app_rpt'
Subject: Re: [App_rpt-users] Allmon/2

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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