[cad-linux] Re: Open-source Parametric software for Architect [OT]

The question isn't who is going to let me;
it's who is going to stop me.

~ Ayn Rand.
___________________________________

From: "David Meyer" <djmeyer@xxxxxxxxxxxx>

<<I for one am quite happy to pay for AutoCad for Linux. I don't see why
software for Linux needs to be OpenSource. There is plenty of room for
commercial software too. AutoCad is the biggest obstacle for me moving to
Linux.  (Autocad LT would be just fine!!)>>

But then why would you want to switch to GNU-Linux? AutoCad works well,
MSWindows works great too, ok, maybe a few GPFs here and there.. but so
what? AutoCad indeed is a fine CAD package made by brilliant programmers,
but at what cost does it come to you? Apart, if you have no problem with
licensing issues in the like of MS, Autodesk et al, then WHY GNU-Linux? If
one has no problems paying to MS, Autodesk for their products, and frequent
upgrades, why GNU? You are happy with hidden-source, so be it. My advice,
don't move to GNU-Linux, pay $$ to M$ & help it become M$$$, and make
Autode$$$k.

I for one, am not a masochist to submit to the whims & fancies of software
giants. Richard Stallman & Linus Torvalds did a great job in giving GNU &
Linux. I don't see a reason why we cant think & act in the same spirit. And
even if one is comfortable with hidden-source, proprietory software, there
is no reason to question *WHY OPEN SOURCE* If one does not encourage, do not
discourage either.

Apart, I think if even one open source initiative can be made successful,
there would be developers of proprietory software coming forward to develop
extensions. In context to the discussed possbile open source 'parametric'
architectural design software, if the representation be kept generic &
extensible, such interface could be kept open for other developers to give
modules for specialized functionality, maybe even proprietory ones. Of
course, there must be, would be Open Source competitors too. We in a way see
the same thing for Acad, which is hidden-source, but developers do make
AutoLisP routines, though simplistic many times available to people at no
cost with source included. Think of a reverse scene, Open Source core, with
an open standard & interface to develop either hidden-source or *hopefully*
Open Source extensions. If I have a basic geometric design/drafting tool as
Open source, I may consider either buying a proprietory module developed for
specialized analysis or use a competing Open source one if available. This
is one possible scenario. The key is that with Open Source, we have options,
alternatives, freedom to choose.

I believe most on this list are from the US or maybe Europe. Occassionally a
few from these places too grumble about the licensing & pricing of these
software. I am from India. Here, the monthly salary of a recent
architectural graduate ranges between Indian Rs. 3000/- to Rs. 5000/- (1US$
~ 50 Indian Rs.) AutoCad2000 bundled with 3DS Viz was priced about Rs.
1,25,000/- It is *impossible* for me to even buy a single machine license,
even if I save my entire salary  !!! That's one reason why piracy is
rampant. The situation is not very different in many other Asian countries.
Just managed to get the pricing of Acad in India these days for educational
institutions, at a 'discounted' rate.

Usual Price AutoCAD 2002 - 4 standalone copies** Rs1,40,000
Special Offer (Valid till Sept 31, 2002) Rs 99,990

RIDICULOUS.

No wonder even big firms are using pirated copies. Hopefully things will
change gradually with groups coming up to implement GNU-Linux even in
governmental organisations. Peru, Pakistan, the German Parliament, probably
Brazil are some of the other countries moving in the direction of GNU-Linux
at core administrative level. It is funny to read the M$ attacks on such
efforts, of course they fear they'd loose the $$ from M$$$ and revert to M$.
lol

Example : phrostie wrote "yesterday i recomended BMRT to someone for
rendering an architechural scene. afterwards i went and checked their site
to see what the current version was
only to find that it had fallen victom to lawyers.  BMRT is dead."

phrostie, that's precisely the reason why I warned of BMRT & supported
Radiance which would be GPLed this year. It is fortunate that a GPL version
in Aqsis does exist, but the fate of all software is never the same. There
is simply no guarantee that the software may/may not exist at a later date.
However enticing it may look, it still makes sense to go Open Source.

v i s h a l .
[ a  v i r t u a l l y  t r i v i a l  n o t h i n g ]

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