When you buy Windows 7 ESD online, you used to get an option to download a free tool called WUDT. The WUDT is a tool that which enabled customers to create bootable USB drives or DVD backup media from the Windows 7 ESD ISO.
Now it has been pulled down from the Microsoft Website saying that they will investigate the matter.
The source code was taken from the ImageMaster project, which was licensed GPL V2, at Codeplex. That means they should have provided the source code of the modified program or a way to obtain it, which they did not. It should also have been released with the same license, i.e. GPL V2. But they failed to do so. Microsoft’s version of license even restricted users from distributing the binary, leave alone the code.
This was discovered when the author of WindowsWithin decompiled the program (yes .NET codes can be decompiled) and looked into it.
I think this is just a mistake from Microsoft’s part but big mistake it is.
We don’t know what other tools from Microsoft violate the GPL or other licenses due to their closed source practice. And there is only one way to find out. Dig into them.
I would like to see what you readers think about this.
References:
http://www.withinwindows.com/2009/11/06/microsoft-lifts-gpl-code-uses-in-microsoft-store-tool/
http://port25.technet.com/archive/2009/11/13/update-on-the-windows-7-download-tool-or-microsoft-to-open-source-the-windows-7-download-tool.aspx
Windows Code is purely over millions lines of code. And, it’s their own code. You cook pasta and I cook pasta, what the f**Kk is the problem with cooking pasta and arguing with ‘hey , that’s my pasta recipe, not yours ‘.. If you disclose your recipe(come take my recipe), everyone would be inspired to take that recipe and try hand on it. I don’t think Microsoft charged people for that one tiny tool which OpenSource folks are accusing for. They put it as a complimentary stuff. I respect opensource community but all these nonsense stuffs and petty allegation to squeeze money off of big Corp like Microsoft is nothing but driven by greed-laden ego of people. You brag for free open softwares. Common look at yourself, you sell linux distros.. damnit. yes You SELL. You fabricate it and you sell and still call FREE open source. Crossed the limit of sarcasm, folks.
I hate this shit going on . May be Microsoft violated the GPL just because the code resembled but again, what the F**K, ideas pop up, it sometimes matches.. Opensource community instead of tangling with stuff like that, should focus on how to provide more exposure to their effort. May it’s their tactic to get cheap publicity stunt messing up with Giant. whatever, back in those days, when Microsoft was forced not to put netscape on windows, IE was born. You guys need to get life.
PS: No offense msdnnepal. You are victimized by the anti-microsoft propagandist. Feel Windows dude. Pay for it and feel it. You’d change your thoughts.
@Navin
You don’t understand Freedom. You only understand money. understandable..
And about the codes matching, I don’t think you read this:
http://port25.technet.com/archive/2009/11/13/update-on-the-windows-7-download-tool-or-microsoft-to-open-source-the-windows-7-download-tool.aspx
That is at the bottom of the article. But here you go again.
And about the small issue you would like to call it, it is not about Microsoft using this small code and releasing it under their license. It is about their negligence and disrespect for Licenses. But I don’t think you’d understand that. BTW, do you use genuine Windows.
About using Windows, its not that I have never used Windows.
the only problem i see here is these guys have envy with microsoft. Microsoft is doing fine and will do great.
Microsoft does bussiness on other hand it too helps in development.
About codes they are supposed to be copy pasted.
That is what open source mean you can see codes and re use it in name of whatever you prefer to call.
LOL ;;;
^You did not answer my questions and have said nothing on your knowledge I asked you to expand. Also you have come down to “these guys” which I take as getting personal because of having no arguments to support anything you are trying to prove.
Anyways, yes Micro$oft does help in development, development of their own company.
Regards
You don’t understand Freedom. You only understand money. understandable..
So kattam is working for freedom…
Great going…
Hey can you work free for me in the name of freedom?
^That would be your freedom, not mine.
Its bussiness buddy. What do you think why do you guys get funding for Make all the nepaliux all. That is also their part of bussiness .
Get one for free and charge heavy after.
About free software for student.
Its is also a part of microsoft bussiness.
Microsoft trains students by giving free software for learning purpose and when student enter into market they are able deploy microsoft system in their organisation. So its crystal clear about their policy and i think that is a excellent approach to take.
Its both side win win situation.
Student gets benefited and so does microsoft.
What do comments on it Kattam?
^Who will charge you heavily for Nepalinux or Ubuntu? lol
That is only M$ policy. That does not apply to FOSS.
So make me one thing clear how do you get programmer to built OS?
Open source release distro every six month.
I am not getting this point.
Where do you guy get the money for making things happen?
If its funding then why would anyone fund on it without any revenue on it.
^Why don’t you read this and come back:
http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/selling.html
We can discuss further if you still don’t get it.
I think Mr. Windows will never get things clear. Please don’t be blind. I understand what you are saying Mr. Windows. But try knowing the other part. Open source is not the matter of copy paste.
Some of the ember here hate windows because they know about it and you abuse open source because u know nothing about it.
Through the Shared Source Initiative, Microsoft is sharing source code of Windows, Office and Embedded windows with customers, partners, developers, academics, and governments worldwide. The Shared Source Initiative encompasses a wide spectrum of technologies, programs, and licenses offered by Microsoft to various communities of customers, partners, developers, organizations, and other interested individuals.
The Shared Source Initiative fosters technical innovation and brings value to businesses and developers. Through the Shared Source Initiative, Microsoft advances several important objectives:
Bolster the freedom and success of customers, partners, researchers, and developers by affording them expanded access to source code.
Enable Windows users to ensure the integrity and security of their computing environments.
Enrich the development community by providing the tools to produce outstanding software.
Improve feedback processes that play a critical role in developing better Microsoft products for business and individual consumers of software.
Enhance educational opportunities and to cultivate a vigorous software industry of the future by placing technology in the hands of universities throughout the world.
Preserve the intellectual property rights that historically have fostered unparalleled innovation and growth in the global software industry.
An ever-growing, rich set of technologies is available under the Shared Source Initiative. Source code offerings range from Microsoft product such as Windows, Windows CE, and Office to developer tools such as WiX and WTL.
More information on this program and how to obtain the sourcecode can be gotten from http://www.microsoft.com/resources/sharedsource/productsourceprogram.mspx
^oh.. welcome back with some research.
BTW, we are aware of such shared source codes.
That does not mean the software is swatantra (free as in freedom). You can of course look at the source codes. But what about making modifications to them and sharing with others? What about developing something new out of it and sharing that new code?
and did you read this:
Quote from the link you provided “Only qualifying customers, partners and government agencies are eligible to view the source code published under this program. ”
I’m sure you are qualified for that. Most users are not.
I surely agree with _khAttAm_…. Its just like freedom in our country… We talk about our nagarik swatantrata ana blah..blah.. But all the netas and other are being controlled by foreign force…
I cite Shared Source Initiative as foreign freedom that has major drawbacks as I would like to share my piece of work with the whole world and I’ll also like others to contribute to it make it more compatible and easy to user from the user side..
Regards..