Agreed. This is something for a little electronics project involving a macropad, something like a pi zero or arduino maybe? and a little LCD display.
Inspiring the next generation of RPN users
Re: Inspiring the next generation of RPN users
SN:09075
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Re: Inspiring the next generation of RPN users
Thanks! And you're right about the mindshare, I've gotten quite a bit of hate over insisting that the terms of the GPL be honored for the DM42 firmware. Not by everyone (I actually have no idea what percentage of SM and MoHPC forum users those people represent) but surprisingly many.
I believe Michael is the hardware guy and it's David who is responsible for the software. The firmware for all the current SwissMicros models other than the DM42 consists of an emulation layer that emulates the original HP hardware, running modified HP ROM images, with various hacks to allow those ROMs to access more memory, support larger displays, etc.
Re: Inspiring the next generation of RPN users
That's a shame but of course you did the right thing. I still see the not-too-infrequent snarky remark even now. There was a very old thread where I came across this:Thomas Okken wrote: ↑Sat Aug 13, 2022 12:44 amThanks! And you're right about the mindshare, I've gotten quite a bit of hate over insisting that the terms of the GPL be honored for the DM42 firmware. Not by everyone (I actually have no idea what percentage of SM and MoHPC forum users those people represent) but surprisingly many.
Which is something I see in the two fields I work in (both are technical, but not related to computing) - that the value of something is governed by the price tag attached to it rather than what you can do with it. At least for me I have stopped investing my efforts in anything non-FOSS for having been burned so many times with software that prematurely meets its end due to a company or person losing interest. And the software from that quote I don't think has ever seen the light of day and is likely to be as mortal as its owner unfortunately.Given its importance this ... Software is not a free software
I suspect that many do not realise the deeper benefits of free42 being free, other than that money is not required! One of those benefits was the DM42 I guess!
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Re: Inspiring the next generation of RPN users
It appeared to me that many do not realize, or rather, do not care and don't want to hear, that the "free" part of the GPL does come with a condition. Anyone wanting to build a commercial product based on GPL-licensed software has a choice: use the software under the conditions required by the GPL, that is, publish the full source code of the derived product, and get the software for free; or, try to negotiate a closed-source license with the copyright holder, avoiding the restrictions of the GPL, while paying whatever licensing fee the copyright holder agrees to.
SwissMicros never even attempted to negotiate a closed-source licensing deal, and instead went and started selling a closed-source product, in clear violation of the terms of the GPL. They only reversed course after I created a stink about it, and never bothered with so much as an apology. The reality deniers on the SM and MoHPC forums were no better, sad to say.
It will never cease to amaze me that I was the one getting the hate mail while SM were the ones who were knowingly and openly perpetrating software piracy. But as long as their customers got their toys, they didn't care. (I'm only referring to the ones actually taking SM's side while this was going on, of course.)
Re: Inspiring the next generation of RPN users
That's an old story known from sandboxes already: Anybody taking away a toy will be hated, be it his own or not. And people are never more convinced of their own opinion than if they've absolutely no idea of the facts but are 'well-meaning' or think they are on the right side. I won't mention the societies where you can observe this best nowadays.Thomas Okken wrote: ↑Sun Aug 14, 2022 11:29 amIt will never cease to amaze me that I was the one getting the hate mail while SM were the ones who were knowingly and openly perpetrating software piracy. But as long as their customers got their toys, they didn't care.
WP43 SN00000, 34S, and 31S for obvious reasons; HP-35, 45, ..., 35S, 15CE, DM16L S/N# 00093, DM42β SN:00041
Re: Inspiring the next generation of RPN users
I didn't actually realise that was an option. That whole story is far worse than I realised and really rubbish for you, Thomas. I'm glad it got mostly resolved in the end, but a shame it had to happen in that way. Also SO bizarre, given your immense contributions to this community, that people would not stop to think - 'Thomas is saying this is important, maybe it is?'Thomas Okken wrote: ↑Sun Aug 14, 2022 11:29 amor, try to negotiate a closed-source license with the copyright holder, avoiding the restrictions of the GPL
The idea and reason for free software hasn't permeated software circles fully, especially the commercial side of things. But the idea of it has even less reached regular public mindshare. And yet it has quietly become such an important force for society. Society is dependent on it, and have all benefitted from it, and yet we somehow mostly don't get it. It takes a handful of people here and there to believe in it and fight for it in the face of financial opportunity loss and public ignorance.
In general, I think people don't understand how public 'good' benefits everyone more than the sum of people using it. We have this issue with some public services in our country. Again, people can't shake the idea of free = worthless.
We can add it to the list of things that the public are ignorant of, but is important to functioning and progress in society, and I'm not sure I see this changing anytime soon. A few years ago one of our politicians said something mathematically impossible about encryption against the advice of her advisors, and no-one really noticed.
So true! I may have to borrow this phrase.
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Re: Inspiring the next generation of RPN users
But there were a few that stepped in to support you on MHPC. And one moderator lost all his credibility, due to his bad performance. So there where white knights successful also.Thomas Okken wrote: ↑Sun Aug 14, 2022 11:29 amThe reality deniers on the SM and MoHPC forums were no better, sad to say.
Günter
Günter
DM42 SN:00004 and SN:00184 -- DM41X SN:00013 and SN:00955
DM42 SN:00004 and SN:00184 -- DM41X SN:00013 and SN:00955