Is PCGen dead now?

[TheAuldGrump]

You know, I keep seeing the word 'subscription'. As far as I know you make purchases of each of the data packs seperately, getting free updates to the data packs you purcase for a year or so.

However, a subscription system might actually be a good idea as an option, getting the WoTC and other IP material as it comes out for a yearly fee rather than having to purchase each seperately.

The Auld Grump

 

[TheAuldGrump]

Yes, that is in fact true.

However, what you may not do is use anyones non-OGL material in the modifications you make. So, for example, you cannot add WoTC's non SRD material, nor the IP names from SSS's Scarred Lands, except for your own personal use. (So you can make those modifications, use them, just not give them to your friends or post it on the web.)

The Auld Grump

 

[Brown Jenkin]

Your right, it is not technicaly a subscription plan. It just works out that way since past experience has shown about every 6 months the data structure changes in ways that make old lst files not work. You could keep using the last working version but you would not be able to purchase new files, or if you realy wanted a new file you would have to repurchase all your old files to make them work.

Fortunately public outcry at this has had some effect as they are now publicly talking about 3 years of upgrades rather than 1 year.

 

[EricLeaf]

There are some interesting things about this recent news.
For instance once CMP gets the all the data in pcgen, how would that effect a code split? I'm not suggesting one or anything, but from my experience now is a likely time when that were to happen (ie a major change in direction or method).
Another question is if the data is limited at all, does that violate the principle of the GPL to begin with (ie non-free data). You can maybe treat it like a library with LGPL, but thats a bit of a stretch.

When pcgen had all the non-srd data I always felt they were violating the GPLs intent, but this is a new look at the same data in a different light.

 

[isidorus]

PCgen is Lgpl and that allows you to link properity formats with the libs. So the non-free Data is probably going to be treated like a properity extension to the libaries, someone correct me if I am wrong? You can still fork the program and I think change the license to GPL.

I know this was discussed when Gnome decided to make most things about gtk/gnome libs. lgpl instead of gpl. Probably since Sun was and is now using it as their new desktop. I prefer the BSD license myself but have used properity licenses at times for my programs.

Then most stuff I code is in C and console based and must run on windows for work and Linux/Bsd at home

Regards

Isidorus