HA! Given M$'s history I wouldn't count on them following their own contracts much less some nebulous "agreement". <br><br>Cross-platform devel is best done with open standards not controlled by a single for-profit entity. As far as I have seen, language choices include C++, Python, Perl (but some windows lock-in with Active State); GUI from WX (supports C++ and python and perl) or cygwin (ugh!). I don't see Java as a true crossplatform as it requires an Oracle blessing for the local code bits and GNU Java is not always an option (windows version?) or QT (with gpl caveats on application - need devel license if output is NOT gpl) which supports C++, perl, python, and a gaggle of others.<br>
<br><div class="gmail_quote">On Mon, Nov 8, 2010 at 11:06 AM, Lightner, Jeff <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:jlightner@water.com">jlightner@water.com</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding-left: 1ex;">
Ignoring M$ history which is well documented doesn't change my opinion that it would be naïve to rely on a "promise" made by them. There's a reason that large corporations like IBM and Sun felt the need to sue them despite "legal agreements" M$ signed.<br>
<br>
I pointed out that ECMA 334 is specifically tied to a "patent agreement" that is at best vague. If you choose to ignore that feel free to do so but don't pretend it is the same thing as true FOSS.<br>
<div class="im"><br>
-----Original Message-----<br>
From: <a href="mailto:ale-bounces@ale.org">ale-bounces@ale.org</a> [mailto:<a href="mailto:ale-bounces@ale.org">ale-bounces@ale.org</a>] On Behalf Of James Sumners<br>
</div><div class="im">Sent: Monday, November 08, 2010 10:42 AM<br>
To: Atlanta Linux Enthusiasts<br>
Subject: Re: [ale] best cross platform development evironment<br>
<br>
</div><div><div></div><div class="h5">On Mon, Nov 8, 2010 at 10:16 AM, Lightner, Jeff <<a href="mailto:jlightner@water.com">jlightner@water.com</a>> wrote:<br>
> To put it simply C# is NOT "free open source software" because of the restrictions M$ put in the patent agreement.<br>
<br>
Both ECMA 334 and 335 are covered under MS's Open Specification<br>
Promise[1], a legally enforceable[2] contract. Thus, MS cannot sue<br>
anyone who implements 334 and 335 as detailed in the standards.<br>
Therefore, Mono, the base implementation of C# and the .Net libraries,<br>
ARE FOSS.<br>
<br>
You not liking MS does not change that fact.<br>
<br>
> If you think the only ones on the hook would be folks like Novell then you do NOT know the history of M$. (By the way - It is ironic you used Novell as your example. They are the only Linux distributor (SuSe) dumb enough to sign a no-sue agreement with M$ over FOSS.)<br>
<br>
If you write an application using Mono, then you are not IMPLEMENTING<br>
.Net. You are USING an implementation of .Net. Nothing in that patent<br>
letter implies users of an implementation are subject to any action<br>
what-so-ever. Only implementors. Additionally, Novell was not an<br>
example (as indicated by my use of "i.e."[3]). Novell are the ones who<br>
write, and maintain, Mono -- the implementation of 334 and 335.<br>
<br>
This thread is about cross platform development environments for Linux<br>
_and_ Windows. Java was eliminated from the realm of possibilities<br>
because Oracle claims ownership of Java under threat of litigation,<br>
despite Sun having licensed something with the name "Java" under the<br>
GPL. So, the runner up, like it or not, is C# and .Net. Any other<br>
environment is going to require much more work (making sure the right<br>
libraries are installed, etc.).<br>
<br>
<br>
[1] -- <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Community_Promise" target="_blank">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Community_Promise</a><br>
[2] -- <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Promise" target="_blank">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Promise</a><br>
[3] -- <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Use-%22i.e.%22-Versus-%22e.g.%22" target="_blank">http://www.wikihow.com/Use-%22i.e.%22-Versus-%22e.g.%22</a><br>
<br>
--<br>
James Sumners<br>
<a href="http://james.roomfullofmirrors.com/" target="_blank">http://james.roomfullofmirrors.com/</a><br>
<br>
"All governments suffer a recurring problem: Power attracts<br>
pathological personalities. It is not that power corrupts but that it<br>
is magnetic to the corruptible. Such people have a tendency to become<br>
drunk on violence, a condition to which they are quickly addicted."<br>
<br>
Missionaria Protectiva, Text QIV (decto)<br>
CH:D 59<br>
<br>
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