To share or not to share???
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Absolutely. I've been seeing little previews of it since the very first version. It's only gotten better and better. I can't wait to see what the "final" version looks like. :)
When I can talk about 64 bit processors and attract girls with my computer not my car, I'll come out of the closet. Until that time...I'm like "What's the ENTER key?" -Hockey on being a geek
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I've developed a really cool C++ XML serialisation library which can save/load C++ with great ease. You can even switch on compression if you don't need the output human readable. Thing is, I'd like to share the code (and to have it peer reviewed etc..) however I'd also like to sell this library commercially. Any thoughts on the subject would be greatfully received. Thanks in advance. :) Regards, Simon Hughes
From a practical standpoint, it will be difficult to do both. As the cliche goes, you are trying to have your cake and eat it, too. Some options: :bob: Post a workable, no-frills version of it as an article. Free and unrestricted. Then make your money selling any nifty add-ons, tools, or support. For instance, maybe you give out the core library free, but the compression stuff would be an add-on you can sell. :bob: Or go the other extreme. Hire a software tester or work a deal with anohter programmer, but otherwise keep it closed and sell it commercially. "Fish and guests stink in three days." - Benjamin Franlkin
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I've developed a really cool C++ XML serialisation library which can save/load C++ with great ease. You can even switch on compression if you don't need the output human readable. Thing is, I'd like to share the code (and to have it peer reviewed etc..) however I'd also like to sell this library commercially. Any thoughts on the subject would be greatfully received. Thanks in advance. :) Regards, Simon Hughes
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I've considered the same dilema many times... The thing is...you will get flamed if you post code here and put any restrictions on it (other than "mention me in your about dialog box" :)). IMHO post free or don't post at all...it's kind of an implied way of doing things here on CP. The attitude here goes something like...if it's not free pay for an ad banner...again only IMHO :) Perhaps you might consider finding only a few willing participants (here on CP) to look over your code, who understand it's not for them to use or anything, they're just doing you a service...for free. Or you write a couple high quality articles and have a link to your own web site (maybe a brief plug, but nothing more than a single line). I'll be honest i'd be one of the first to say boo...don't expect to advertise for free and not get boo'ed...do like Dundas...they sell they're code but advertise and support the growth of CP. What your asking is to basically advertise for free and get your code peer reviewed for free and yet sell it commercially... Here are some personal rules: 1) Release it on your own web site where you can specify your own terms... 2) Don't find related articles on CP and plug your product in the articles message boards. Thats really annoying!!! 3) If someone requests such a thing in the lounge/wherever (and they specify commercial) than give your product/source code a quick plug These are just some of my opinions... Cheers :) How do I print my voice mail?
>>The thing is...you will get flamed if you post >>code here and put any restrictions on it (other >>than "mention me in your about dialog box" ). I've seen people complain about that, too. :\ Some guy complained about some BSD'd code once, saying that no commercial company would tolerate the "don't take credit for my code" clause.
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Personally, I would say, you want to sell it commerical then keep it that way. I have tired of people putting code out for free to the public to later pull their rights after people have already depending on the code in their projects. If I were you though, I would research a bit and see if there is any value in your product. Even if I were still using C++ regularly (into C#/.NET for almost two years), I doubt I would pay a dime for a serialistation routine. Rocky <>< www.HintsAndTips.com www.GotTheAnswerToSpam.com
Rocky Moore wrote: I have tired of people putting code out for free to the public to later pull their rights after people have already depending on the code in their projects. You can do that and legally require users to pay a licence fee...? I would figure you could only do that for like the next version, not the actual version you released...as freeware in the first place That sux...I had no idea :| Cheers :) :) How do I print my voice mail?
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first off... im sure u think u've invented the best thing since sliced bread (and im not saying u havnt) but im sure there are 5 other libraries that do exactly what u do and more ... just the nature of the pc programming bizness these days second... if u want to get other people involved in helping u improve a commercial product then at least give them free copies after the beta period is over third... another approach to releasing software is its free but u pay for support ... this might not work for you depending on how much support people might need like hockey said codeproject is about as close to open source as you will get for the windows platform ... better than the open source movement in some ways cos u can get real fast feedback and support here ... dont abuse it by plugging / spamming / advertising for free (not that u will) :)
Well said, Lauren.:-D Some people think of it as a six-pack; I consider it more of a support group.
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Don't forget if you sell it commercially, fswh will have 90% royalities (check your so called 'Deeds of Coventant') ;)
Hi Norm. It was in my contract that I had to declare any pre-written software I had made before joining fswh. I did that with this library :) Regards, Simon Hughes
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From a practical standpoint, it will be difficult to do both. As the cliche goes, you are trying to have your cake and eat it, too. Some options: :bob: Post a workable, no-frills version of it as an article. Free and unrestricted. Then make your money selling any nifty add-ons, tools, or support. For instance, maybe you give out the core library free, but the compression stuff would be an add-on you can sell. :bob: Or go the other extreme. Hire a software tester or work a deal with anohter programmer, but otherwise keep it closed and sell it commercially. "Fish and guests stink in three days." - Benjamin Franlkin
Thanks, sounds like good advice. And yes, I was trying to have my cake and eat it, but I do like to share :-D I have given it further thought... How about sharing the library here and mark it for non-profit / educational use only? Regards, Simon Hughes
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Hi Norm. It was in my contract that I had to declare any pre-written software I had made before joining fswh. I did that with this library :) Regards, Simon Hughes
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I've developed a really cool C++ XML serialisation library which can save/load C++ with great ease. You can even switch on compression if you don't need the output human readable. Thing is, I'd like to share the code (and to have it peer reviewed etc..) however I'd also like to sell this library commercially. Any thoughts on the subject would be greatfully received. Thanks in advance. :) Regards, Simon Hughes
There are a ton of XML libraries out there. My feeling is that you would probably enjoy the karma of giving away the library more than the angst of trying to sell it, licence it, protect it and support it. cheers, Chris Maunder