[mapguide-internals] MapStudio OS

[Kenneth, GEOGRAF A/S]

I would very much like to get a "certificate" that there is no problems, 
however, I don't think that will happen soon.

As I see it, MapGuide Studio and MapStudio OS are very different, and 
completely independant.

MapGuide Studio has the ability to use any and all of Autodesk's 
patents, thus enabling it to support DWG and the like.
MapStudio OS has none of that. It merely uses the API avalible from the 
MapGuide Open Source project.
It does not share/use any code from either the MapGuide Open Source or 
the MapGuide Studio project.

So, the only problem I can think of is that the design of the user 
interface might infringe on Autodesk's copyright, if it is too similar.
If that is a problem, I am ready to change it.
I have already rewritten most of the layer editor to use a tree 
structure for organizing the scale range and display styles.
I will publish that change when it becomes stable.

I don't belive that a "MapGuide Studio like" application itself violates 
any rights, as that would also invalidate WebStudio.

I would appreciate it very much, if you could point out any potential 
legal issues as you see them.

Regards, Kenneth, GEOGRAF A/S



Jackie Ng skrev:
> Very nice job, Kenneth.
>
> I would _LOVE_ to contribute to this project, but I too share some concerns
> (already expressed) about potential legal issues w/ Autodesk.
>
> It would be good if someone Autodesk could set the record straight on this
> issue.
>
> - Jackie
>
>
> Kenneth, GEOGRAF A/S wrote:
>   
>> Hi list.
>>
>> I have a feeling that the main barrier for newcomers to the MapGuide 
>> Open Source project, is the fact that they have to start out purchasing 
>> Autodesk MapGuide Studio.
>> I also want to customize certain aspects in Autodesk MapGuide Studio, 
>> such as extra "bult in" menus and the like. Autodesk has replied that 
>> they do not currently support this.
>> I have been looking at WebStudio, but it lacks some features, notable 
>> the WebLayout feature. I also dislike web applications for operations 
>> that I do more than occasionally.
>> On top of that, browser security restrictions limits the possible 
>> potential for the application.
>>
>> To remedy all of the above, I have created a standalone GUI application, 
>> that looks a bit like MapGuide Studio, and supports some of the things 
>> MapGuide Studio supports.
>> I have released the application under the LGPL license, so that a third 
>> party company (ea. Autodesk), may redistribute the binaries, packed with 
>> proprietary extensions.
>>
>> The application has most of the framework ready, and has basic editors 
>> for layer, layout, map and featuresource. Some functions are still 
>> missing, like line width, point styling on symbol libraries, layer draw 
>> order etc.
>> Some things do work, like creating a featuresource, layer, map and layout.
>> It does not have a preview functionality yet.
>>
>> The code is written in managed C#, .Net 1.1. It should work on mono, but 
>> there are some missing functionality in System.Windows.Forms, so it 
>> might not.
>> It contains a fully independant client library that uses only the Web 
>> API, and fully managed code.
>>
>> If anyone wants to contribute to the project, I am open for questions to 
>> the code.
>>
>> I have written a page with some pros and cons for the project:
>> http://www.hexad.dk/opensource/mapstudio.html
>>
>> The page contains screenshots, binaries and source code.
>>
>> I would like this project to eventually become part of the MapGuide Open 
>> Source project (or at least the OSGeo website).
>> How do I apply for that?
>>
>> Please note that this project is my own hobby project, and is unrelated 
>> to GEOGRAF A/S.
>>
>> -- 
>> Regards, Kenneth, GEOGRAF A/S
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> mapguide-internals mailing list
>> mapguide-internals at lists.osgeo.org
>> http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/mapguide-internals
>>
>>
>>     
>
>