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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?"

9 of 323 comments (clear)

  1. You missed the obvious joke... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Where's ShowMySource.com?"

  2. Why not? by Frosty+Piss · · Score: 5, Insightful

    CVS is empty and the source on the download page is for the 2.6 version. The version of the executable is 3.53

    If it's original work, can't the copyright holder decide to close the source? If it doesn't contain anyone else's work that happens to be GPLd, I don't see a problem here.

    Need more info...

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    1. Re:Why not? by courtarro · · Score: 5, Insightful

      That would be true if the code were unmodified versions of GPL'd code, but glancing through the two helper EXEs (spcplink.exe and spcwinv.exe) reveals quite a few references that look like they might be directly pulled from VNC or OpenSSH. Interestingly enough, these two helper apps are written in Visual C++, while the main app is written in VB6.

      Now that I look closer, I notice that spcwinv.exe is actually referred to as "VNC Server Free Edition for Win32", and the copyright is "Copyright © RealVNC Ltd. 2002-2005", yet the strings within the file have been modified to refer to it as a ShowMyPC product. I'd say that's a dead giveaway.

    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. Use this without source code? by courtarro · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Whereas GotoMyPC is a serious business with a vested interest in keeping users' machines secure, this site has no such commitments, and as such it seems like a pretty bad idea to use it without being able to check the source code. Potential GPL violations aside, a significant reason that we need the source is to confirm that it does what they say it does. Without it, who knows what backdoors they could be offering; it's especially concerning since it's specifically designed to penetrate firewalls. Beware!

  4. 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.
  5. /. isn't where you report this by UbuntuDupe · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I'm *pretty* sure there's an established procedure for reporting GPL violations, and I'm *pretty* sure submitting a /. story griping about your experience with that software ain't it.

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    1. 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.

  6. 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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