Web design & FOSS
Front-end web technologies and Free Open Source Software.
Wednesday 23 April 2008, 12:04 AM
My first Joomla! site!
I built a very simple web site for the artist Edward Bell, using Joomla!, an open source content management system. I must say that I’m mightily impressed with it’s ease of use. And a real plus is that someone without an in-depth knowledge of XHTML/CSS/PHP can keep it all updated. Ahh, ease of maintenance :) I also love the JCE content editor utilities that give you sliding pop-ups. How childish is that?
Interestingly, the utilities are released as free software under the GPL, though the author makes a bit of money by charging for access to the site. Isn’t this against the spirit of Free Open Source Software?
Edward and I have agreed to use barter as the economic means of exchange. Hopefully I will come into the possession of a couple of lovely paintings. Or a sheep.
PreviousComments on this post
hi Jake
from what i understand you can download the editor for free and isn't that the 'spirit of free open source software' you talk about?
the thing is, just because something is 'open source' it doesn't mean it should be free - just that the source code is made available for use or modification by the users/developers
this guy has probably spent several hours developing something for joomla and he gives it away for free - then, after all his hard work and effort to get something to do exactly what he wants it to do, he starts to get emails, lots of them, every day ... just because he created something, should he also then spend hours every day offering 'free' support?
the answer is no. so he probably charges to access his forum and get support. it's the way most, if not all, open source developers are going to try and keep the 'spirit of open source' free
cheers
Hi Damo,
I totally agree with you, the developer can charge for support. But my not very clear point was that the source code isn't made available on his site. On the JCE subscription page it says:
>A set of enhanced plugins have been developed exclusively for members
Yet he also says:
>No, there are no licence restrictions, except those imposed by the GNU/GPL licence.
I think I'll write to him to find out more!
