Author: Simon Waters
Date: 13:48:28 01/04/01
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Hi Wayde, I don't see any problem with you spending your money to improve open source software, but the other posters are right I think to be suspicious of the rates and quoted actions. I'd start suspicious of anyone who offered to extend Winboard in a language other than the one in which it is written. Crossing languages, using new tools and the like all delay getting started with modifying existing code, when understanding how it works is often hard enough. Basically writing software is expensive (in labour), which bizarrely is why so much Open Source software is written out of love or necessity. Your best bet is to convince a knowledgable chess programmer that your enhancement would make their life better - then they may do it gratis - or at least at a preferential rate. Some open source software is developed by paid programmers, but it tends to be where it is quicker and easier to build of existing big project - like GCC - where new computer suppliers may find it easier to port GCC than buy a commercial compiler suite. Some of the Java interfaces to chess sites are nearly as featured as Winboard, and brush over the Linux/Window debate - I assume your a Linux person from the comments. Of course we could all team up at letsbuyit.com and make Tim an offer that he can't refuse to free him from the chains of capitalism.
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