> From: Mark Klein [mailto:[log in to unmask]] in response to my comments about
>
> > > * No plans to release an "Open Source" version of MPE
> >
>
> While your last statement may be partly the case, let me add my
> observation:
>
> Open Source takes a critical mass of developers that just doesn't
> exist in this community. Linux has thousands of developers between
> all the flavors. Heck, even GCC has hundreds.
>
> Realistically, there is only a handful of people with the knowledge
> outside of HP that could modify the source, build something and
> expect it to run with some semblance of reliability. If you don't get
> the critical mass of developers, the source may be available, but
> nothing will happen with it. Who does that benefit? It would be far
> better to be able to license one or two development groups that have
> the skills and could "twiddle the bits" than to go through the effort
> to make the source available under an Open Source license.
>

Actually, I agree with Mark that a true Open Source MPE would never work. I
remain unconvinced, however, that HP is serious about licensing the code to
any third party development group. I hope to be proved wrong, but it still
seems they are more interested in coming up with reasons why it can not be
done, then figuring out a way to do it.

John