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From: pip@pro-freedom.cts.com (David Pipgras)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.misc
Subject: Re: StuffIt Deluxe (Compactor)
Message-ID: <1990Sep3.182211.21183@clark.edu>
Date: 3 Sep 90 18:22:09 GMT
Sender: usenet@clark.edu
Organization: Apple*Van - Apple Users Group of Vancouver, WA [206/253-9389]
Lines: 43

In-Reply-To: message from ar4@sage.cc.purdue.edu


In <504@6sceng.UUCP> blm@6sceng.UUCP (Brian Matthews) writes:
 
>Add to that StuffIt's (and StuffIt Deluxe's) horrible user interface, and
>Compactor is looking much better.  Now if Bill (Goodman, the author of
>Compactor) would release the file format or source code to do the
>compaction/decompaction, I could see Compactor becoming the new
>standard.
 
If YOU were an author who had spent countless hours/weeks/years developing
a program which you graciously donated to society, would you be so quick to
make the source code public property as well?
 
I would think that maybe the posting of the distinct details that would
allow new DECOMPRESSION programs to be written, but I believe that any
author has the complete right and privilege to keep his work private.
 
On top of that, Compactor apparently uses a "better" algorithm than Stuffit.
Now if his code were to be released, what would keep Stuffit (or some other
product) from "adopting" the improved methods, therefore increasing the
competition?
 
I find it very hard to believe that there are users out in the community who
EXPECT that an author will do exactly what they want. Criticism, critique,
and suggestion may help the author continue a product, but flamming will
not.
 
Just a few words of concern on behalf of software authors out there in the
world...


>>>>>Thank you!<<<<< That is what I was attempting to say in my last message.


Dave

s.

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