Software for Mutants or Mutated Software?

Software from Mutant Internet

Why is it free?

There are many reasons why Mutant Internet software is free. Primarily it is software that I wrote to fill my own needs and I am willing to let you use it rather than have to write your own. Partially it is because I use a lot of free software and I want to give something back. Partially it's because I doubt I could sell this software commercially if I tried... I'm just not a salesman

So what's in it for me?

Well, I don't provide commercial level support. If you have problems using my software then feel free to let me know. But don't expect me to solve your problems for you. I'll look at it, when I get the chance, and I will get back to you. If you find a bug please let me know. If you can write your own code then feel free to fix bugs, add features and so on. I'd prefer it if you let me know, but you are under no obligation. You do get full access to the program and the source code.

But why The GPL?

Some people have complaints about the GPL, Microsoft among them. Mostly these complaints seem to fall into two categories...

But I can't make money off of code I release for free.
But I can't extend your code and then sell it at a profit.

What can I say to these? Well, if you want to make money from your code don't give it away. I don't think that this code is commercial. So I am giving it away for free. I am not saying that this code isn't commercial quality, just that I don't think that I could sell it for a profit. If you want to extend my code then go ahead, that is fine... But you can't sell it. I can't see what is wrong with that attitude. If you want to use my code then you should either pay me for it, or not expect to have other people pay you for it. If Anyone thinks that this code has commercial potential and would like to try extending it and selling the extensions then please feel free to contact me and ask about the possibility of an alternate licence, but remember, at the very least the current version available here for download, and any previous versions, will always be freely available under the terms of the GPL.

Why should I use your software rather than X?

I don't know. If my software provides something that theirs doesn't, or my software fits your ideas better, or their software is just too damned expensive then feel free to use my software. If theirs is better in some way then use theirs. Use whichever suits you best. I won't be upset about it.

Will you add feature X?

If I get requests for new features then I might add them. But remember that this is not a commercial venture, I can't promise you feature X in time for you to use it within your deadlines. If you want that sort of commitment then hire a programmer. Remember they can modify my code and you are just as free to use it. If you insist it has to be me then contact me... But I won't promise anything until I have some idea what you want, and how much you can afford/are willing to pay me.

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