From: "maltetewes" <maltetewes@yahoo.fr>

Date: August 10, 2012 3:24:40 PM MDT

To: Astro_IIDC@yahoogroups.com

Subject: Re: [Astro_IIDC] Macs and Science

Dear Milton,

I've been quickly catching up with these recent mails about the future of Astro IIDC, and was about to ask why you don't consider releasing the project under GPL or similar, and prominently invite people to donate.

My points were :

- extrapolating from my amateur astronomy pals, I think that this could bring in more money then the 500$ golden keys. Everyone willing  to buy a golden key to support you can still make a big donation, and those who want to donate less can also do it ... and use and *promote* the software. Clearly I don't claim any experience with this, just my thoughts.

- Astro IIDC would not immediately be filed as "abandonware" at first sight. On the contrary : combined with some PR efforts by its users, an open source release could bring a popularity boom.

Then I found your "microwave" post, which closes this discussion :)

Of course I understant that you might have some code/dependencies in there that you still want to develop and sell.

I thought I would write this anyway. I do believe in open source, especially in science, were results should always be reproducible. Related to our hobby : the community that worked and works on the theory and applications of wavelet transforms give an excellent example. They release demo code with nearly every publication. Also data reduction pipelines for professional telescopes around the world virtually all rely on open source libraries and run on open source OSes. Many scientists use Apple laptops precisely because UNIX gives them access to this command line / X window world, yet still the "Mac" side allows them to prepare their keynote presentations.

Now this is a completely different situation, and it doesn't pay your bills. Just wanted to share a positive opinion on open source.

I wish you plenty of success for your post-AstroIIDC business, and I'll try to advertise the sotware in any case.

Cheers,

Malte