Re: [Savannah-register-public] [task #11582] Submission of RFree

[Maggie Avener]

Thank you for your quick response. My replies are below.

> Please note "Linux" is just a kernel of a more complex system that we
> like to refer to as GNU/Linux, to emphasize the ideals of the Free
> Software movement.  Would you mind changing references to Linux as an
> OS to GNU/Linux? (Read_Me.txt).  For more information, see
> http://www.gnu.org/gnu/linux-and-gnu.html.
No problem.
> > This project uses a copy of the file curves_subroutines.f, a
> > collection of subroutines from the FCC, assumed to be public domain
> > but not explicitly free software.
> Have you checked the file is _actually_ (Not just supposedly) on the
> public domain?.  If so, then there is no problem [1].
As far as I understand from copyright law, anything written by FCC staff 
is automatically considered public domain. However, the file didn't come 
with a copyright notice. In the past I have asked about this regarding 
other FCC code and haven't gotten official confirmation. Here's the 
reply I got from the FCC when I inquired about another program they 
wrote and released to the public:

We aren't making any official statement about the code being in the "public 
domain."

However, you are free to use the code, copy it, modify it, or otherwise make it 
available to others via the web.

I'm waiting for a reply from the FCC about curves_subroutines.f, but I 
suspect the answer will be the same.

> Please add the licensing information to curves_subroutines.f and
> Makefile, as with every other non-trivial file (10+ lines is the thumb
> rule).
I added the licensing info to Makefile. For curves_subroutines.f, I 
believe the correct procedure (if I get confirmation from the FCC) is to 
label it as public domain now, but change the license info to GPL 3+ if 
we make any substantial changes to it. Can you confirm?
> I noticed the project is licensed under the GNU GPL 3+.  I will change
> the license field accordingly, let me know if that's not what you
> intended.
Yes, that is what I intended.
> Please fix these issues and provide a updated tarball.  You can either
> attach it to the tracker or use an external hosting and provide a
> *direct* download URL.
There's an updated copy (with the Gnu/Linux reference fixed in the 
Readme and the license info for the Makefile) at 
web.mit.edu/avenerm/www/rfree-2011-11-14.tar.gz. If needed, I'll update 
it again when I know what licensing info to add to curves_subroutines.f.

Thanks again,
Maggie