Hi All :)
    hmmm.... I wonder how this differs from when Nantucket came out with a
compiler (Clipper) for dBase III code back in the '80's .... IIRC
Ashton-Tate fought and lost over it.... and Clipper sold lots of copies....
you develop the code in dBase III and then compile it to a .exe with
Clipper....

   The fact that the Clipper compiler supported extensions to the then
starting xBase language standard that Ashton-Tate owned might be the
difference in this case..... Only Eugene would probably know :) hehe

Art "just a crossing thot while fighting DTC's :) " Bahrs

----- Original Message -----
From: "Charles Finley" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, September 21, 2000 9:37 AM
Subject: Re: [HP3000-L] Powerhouse to COBOL, C++ or C


> Rich Trapp said:
> > Wasn't something like this done before which resulted in a law suite
from
> > Cognos?
> Tymlabs had the Powerhouse compiler.  They advertised it as an alternative
> to buying Powerhouse.  In other words, they told customers to continue to
> develop using the Powerhouse languages. If I recall correctly, I believe
> that Cognos alleged a copyright violation on the languages.  They own the
> languages not the resultant code, according to them, they are the only
ones
> who can build a compiler for their languages.
>
> What our customer will build is a suite of translators which will generate
> "source code" in another target language (C++, C, Cobol) which will then
be
> compiled.  The generated code will be maintainable without the use of the
> Cognos proprietary languages.  Given that users will be converting their
> custom work product (custom code which is owned by the end-user) to
another
> language, there is no basis for a lawsuit.
>
> While I'm not an attorney, I don't believe that Cognos will sue, however,
> that's up to them.  That said, our customer is a very large software firm.
> They have gotten legal advise on the matter and have been assured that
they
> are not vulnerable.
>
>
>
> Charles Finley
> Transformix Computer Corporation
> 145 Vallecitos de Oro
> Suite 201
> San Marcos, CA  92069
> (760) 736-7001
> fax (760) 736-7014
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: [log in to unmask]
> > [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> > Sent: Thursday, September 21, 2000 9:12 AM
> > To: [log in to unmask]; [log in to unmask]
> > Subject: RE: Powerhouse to COBOL, C++ or C
> >
> >
> > Wasn't something like this done before which resulted in a law suite
from
> > Cognos?  I'm sure several people would be interested (hence Cognos'
desire
> > to prevent it).
> >
> > RAT
> >
> > _______________________________________________________________________
> >  Rich Trapp "RAT"
> >  Managed Business Solutions   [log in to unmask]   http://www.mbsnav.com
> >  Assigned to Design Automation Support at Agilent Technologies
> >  Telnet or 970-679-2221 [log in to unmask]  Loveland, CO USA
> >
> > _______________________________________________________________________
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Charles Finley [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> > Sent: Thursday, September 21, 2000 9:22 AM
> > To: [log in to unmask]
> > Subject: Powerhouse to COBOL, C++ or C
> >
> >
> > A large software firm that builds programming language
> > translators has asked
> > me to identify potential customers for translators for the basic Cognos
> > suite (Quick, Quiz and QTP).  In short, they have the ability to develop
> > software that will convert the Powerhouse code to any one of a number of
> > target languages, however, they would prefer either C, C++ or COBOL.
They
> > don't care what target environment potential customers choose,
therefore,
> > the target environment can be the HP e3000 or any other platform with a
> > suitable compiler.
> >
> > Other Details:
> >   -Their primary interest is in selling both the tool and/or related
> > translation services.
> >   -The tools would generate readable and maintainable code.
> >   -They have the ability to develop working versions of software
> > within 3-4
> > months.
> >   -They will not build these products on speculation.  What they are
after
> > are one or two serious customers prepared to make a conditional
commitment
> > subject to successful development of a usable product.
> >
> > All public or private inquiries and/or comments are welcome.
> >
> > Charles Finley
> > Transformix Computer Corporation
> > 145 Vallecitos de Oro
> > Suite 201
> > San Marcos, CA  92069
> > (760) 736-7001
> > fax (760) 736-7014
> >