yanaframework.net

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Starting with version 2.9.8 all future versions of the Yana PHP-Framework will be published under the GNU GPL. This means in addition to the previous license model you will be allowed to use it for commercial purposes. Also this will allow you to bundle it with other Open Source Software projects released under the GPL, as well.

[admin]

Some FAQ to Open Source:

1) "What are the Cons to Open Source?"

I noted that people have a tendency to mistake the term "Open Source" and especially the GPL for: "it is free and I can do whatever I want with it". This is definitely not the case. If you read through the GPL you will find that it is very restrictive on certain facts.

Also some people tend to mix "Open Source" with "freeware", which also is not true. These are very different concepts. Just because you can look at the source code does not mean you get it for free. Open Source Software is free like in the phrase "freedom of use", but not "free of charge". Just look at Linux: for sure you won't get a DVD with the latest distribution without paying anything and they will put you in chains if you steal the box. But once you have paid the price you can use it, modify it, share it with your friends and family. THAT is what is meant by the term Open Source.

The GPL gave some people the impression that they could use it for ANY commercial purpose. This also is not true. True: you may use it for some commercial purposes. Of course you can build software upon Open Source Software and get paid for your work. But if you modify or build upon GPL'ed software, your software will have to go Open Source as well. This means you have to open the source, you have to release it as Open Source Software under the terms of the GPL, you may not charge license fees, you may not use DRM, you may not encrypt your software. If this is not what you want, then I'm afraid Open Source Software is not for you.

2) "Wait a minute. Does that mean I can't make money out of Open Source Software?"

Of course you can! I already worked in projects using the Yana PHP-Framework for commercial purposes and the company earned more then just a few bucks with it In fact: it was the reason why we ever got this job in the first place. We might never have earned a single dollar if we had offered proprietary software.

German readers might also want to refer to the "Open-Source Jahrbuch", which is a great resource for examples on how you can use OSS in a commercial environment (and by the way: it is free of charge).

3) "Why go Open Source and why open it for commercial purposes anyway?"

The answer is simple. I noticed that a lot Open Source Software out there is commercial software and many programmers working on Open Source Software get paid by a company to do so (just look at firefox!). In fact: these people are even amongst the most productive programmers of Open Source Software *. I would not want to exclude them from using the framework.

* see: "Economic impact of FLOSS on innovation and competitiveness of the EU ICT sector", MERIT, 2006

Also it is my way of showing respect and saying "thank you" to all the other great programmers, students, information sciences, my friends and all the people out there.