3 ms·

Is NMAP 7.93 no longer free software (freedom 0)?

9 points by jesprenj 4y ago

jesprenj 4y ago
It isn't according to Gentoo Linux distribution.
josephcsible 4y ago
> We believe it is compliant with the Open Source Definition > Prohibit redistribution and use of Nmap within proprietary hardware and software products. Did they not even bother to skim the Open Source Definition? > 9. License Must Not Restrict Other Software > The license must not place restrictions on other software that is distributed along with the licensed software. For example, the license must not insist that all other programs distributed on the same medium must be open-source software.
- Doxin 4y ago
 "within" and "with" are not synonymous. You can still distribute non-open-source software along with nmap. You cannot embed nmap in non-open-source software.
 - jesprenj 4y ago
 What would be an example of a piece of software shipping _with_ another piece of software where the relationship couldn't be described using "within"?
 - Doxin 4y ago
 If I copy two unrelated pieces of software to the same folder, neither one is contained within the other. they are both with eachother though. Within refers to a contains-relation. With refers to a sibling-relation. In other words it's <a></a> vs <a></a>.
 - jesprenj 4y ago
 So if a piece of software is, let's say, a web frontend for nmap, and it ships as the main web interface binary alongside nmap.exe in a folder, would that mean that nmap is shipped alongside the web server and not within it, even though the folder is downloaded from the same server when you buy the port scanning frontend software that uses nmap?
ThrowawayR2 4y ago
Their licensing page is interesting as well: https://nmap.org/oem/ https://nmap.org/oem/ Kudos to them for providing specific prices. That being said, I'll suggest again what I've suggested before: let's just call these new licenses what they are: proprietary software with source availability. You have all the hassle of evaluating and signing a license agreement, paying for it and then paying for annual renewals too, monitoring your organization's license compliance (will they sic the much vilified Business Software Alliance if you're not?) and so forth. All the things that FOSS proponents once railed against about proprietary software are now back but now there's also a desire to take advantage of FOSS goodwill by branding themselves as open source instead of proprietary.
foxyv 4y ago
If I take a poop in your applesauce is it no longer appetizing? Thanks, I hate it.

9 points by jesprenj 4y ago

It isn't according to Gentoo Linux distribution.

> We believe it is compliant with the Open Source Definition > Prohibit redistribution and use of Nmap within proprietary hardware and software products. Did they not even bother to skim the Open Source Definition? > 9. License Must Not Restrict Other Software > The license must not place restrictions on other software that is distributed along with the licensed software. For example, the license must not insist that all other programs distributed on the same medium must be open-source software.

Doxin 4y ago
"within" and "with" are not synonymous. You can still distribute non-open-source software along with nmap. You cannot embed nmap in non-open-source software.
- jesprenj 4y ago
 What would be an example of a piece of software shipping _with_ another piece of software where the relationship couldn't be described using "within"?
 - Doxin 4y ago
 If I copy two unrelated pieces of software to the same folder, neither one is contained within the other. they are both with eachother though. Within refers to a contains-relation. With refers to a sibling-relation. In other words it's <a></a> vs <a></a>.
 - jesprenj 4y ago
 So if a piece of software is, let's say, a web frontend for nmap, and it ships as the main web interface binary alongside nmap.exe in a folder, would that mean that nmap is shipped alongside the web server and not within it, even though the folder is downloaded from the same server when you buy the port scanning frontend software that uses nmap?

ThrowawayR2 4y ago

Their licensing page is interesting as well: https://nmap.org/oem/ https://nmap.org/oem/ Kudos to them for providing specific prices. That being said, I'll suggest again what I've suggested before: let's just call these new licenses what they are: proprietary software with source availability. You have all the hassle of evaluating and signing a license agreement, paying for it and then paying for annual renewals too, monitoring your organization's license compliance (will they sic the much vilified Business Software Alliance if you're not?) and so forth. All the things that FOSS proponents once railed against about proprietary software are now back but now there's also a desire to take advantage of FOSS goodwill by branding themselves as open source instead of proprietary.

foxyv 4y ago

If I take a poop in your applesauce is it no longer appetizing? Thanks, I hate it.