Sums it up perfectly, Kevin.
I tried hamvoip's distro and yeah it works. But trying to adjust
things was not easy. Arch Linux is off the beaten path and while
it works well on desktop in a GUI it leaves much to be
desired/learned on command line. I also needed to make a
modification to the app_rpt.c file. Oops, brick wall. This was
early last year, and when I asked about the source I was told it
is coming soon. Next March isn't soon. In fact today isn't soon.
I'm not going to get in the fray over GPL, I sure understand it
and agree with it. I think it would be in the ham spirit to
release the source. To keep it hidden is not in the ham spirit at
all. The software isn't being sold so I really can't grasp why the
source isn't released.
But now seeing so much of that software being used in Baofang simplex nodes and now a PC release being made makes me think they are trying to devolve Allstar into an Echolink clone. Yuk to that.
They'd be doing best to break from Allstar, assign separate node
numbers from a different block of numbers. Then they can have
their DNS solution and everybody would be happy.
And always remember, it's a hobby.
For those who chimed in with comments about going away, if a few
emails do that to you maybe you're in the wrong place to begin
with. Get the code and use it. Ignore the bomb-tossing. set up
your repeater. There is nothing complicated at all to making it
work. Trust me, I've been using Allstar since 2009. My primary
node number is 2360. Yeah, I needed a few pointers, which came
from Jim and Steve W9SH. Got it figured out. Jim helped me modify
the source to do what I needed.
Y'all take it easy.
GeorgeC W2DB 2360, 28599
On 10/24/2018 7:19 PM, Mike Besemer wrote:
Frankly, most of us have no idea what the hell you're complaining about and your attitude doesn't do anything to motivate us to figure it out.
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, 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.
-- George Csahanin 10100 Carson Ranch Rd. Crowley, TX 76036 682-708-5710 office 401-338-0568 cel george@w2db.com