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Is Showmypc.com an Open Source Pretender?

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the show-us-the-source dept.

shaitand writes "When looking for a remote support application that penetrates firewalls and can be initiated by my clients with a couple of clicks, I came across Showmypc.com. It was a standalone executable but looked like it would work and best of all it was open source. The only thing I didn't like was the interface, so I went to check out the Sourceforge page. I noticed a substantial problem: CVS is empty and the source on the download page is for the 2.6 version. The version of the executable is 3.53. I mailed the developers that they needed to distribute their modified SSH client and VNC source to be in compliance with the GPL license. They said they didn't modify those programs and ignored my request for the current source code. So I ask again, if this is a GPL'ed application; where is the source?"

4 of 323 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Uuuuu... by mini+me · · Score: 5, Informative

    If I use a GPL software and modify it, "I'm not obligated" to release my modifications.

    You are if you distribute a binary version with your modifications.
  2. Re:Why not? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    OpenSSH is BSD-licensed. VNC is a protocol. RealVNC is a commercial product of RealVNC Ltd and can be licensed for inclusion in third party products. It is not open source software.

  3. Re:/. isn't where you report this by shaitand · · Score: 5, Informative

    Thank you I actually wasn't aware of that. Whether they are technically violating the license is beside the point, they are distributing what they claim is an open source GPL'd application and not providing the source. Companies falsely claiming to be participating in order to gain the good will of the community should be exposed to that community. Slashdot is a rather convenient outlet to get through to a rather big chunk of it.

  4. Re:Off-topic, but... by NickFitz · · Score: 5, Informative

    And from the unpaid, or underpaid, work of interns

    Yes, all they got was:

    • Weekly stipend of $750
    • Free housing in an area dorm (usually with private rooms)
    • Free gym membership
    • Free MetroCard (gets you on any bus or subway in New York)
    • Free soft drinks
    • Free lunches
    • Free weekly social events. 2005 events included attending a Yankees game, a boat trip around Manhattan, walking tours, museum trips, two Broadway shows, a movie opening, and parties.

    Doesn't seem that shabby...

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