NVDI still commercial ?

[stephen_usher]

Well, if they could remove the original encumbered code they could release the rest, like UCB did with BSD 4.3.

As long as the function of the library calls were clear enough re-writing to use a different font engine shouldn't be "Too Difficult(tm)". Possibly use Freetype library if the concepts match.

Even freely available last version binary distributions would be better than nothing.

[exxos]

Well, if they could remove the original encumbered code they could release the rest, ...

That would be good, but the chances of him still having the source code and knowing how to fix it... I don't really see him interested in working all that out after 30 years... I guess he could rip out the module and talented coders could patch it up somehow.. At least it would be better than nothing.

[TheNameOfTheGame]

I talked to Wilfried Behne a few years ago on LinkedIn about open sourcing NVDI. The basic gist of it was that he had no problem with it, but couldn't do it due to NVDI using some proprietary font engine in it's code. The proprietary font engine is(was?) still owned/protected by another company, forget which one. I contacted them at the time but they were still protective of the code.

So end result I don't think it's commercial anymore, but can't be open-sourced unless the proprietary code was excised.

Would it be possible to reconnect with him just to verify in writing that the community can freely distribute NVDI ?

Would be awesome if we could get the source code but understand it may not be that simple..

Oh sorry, I don't have a linkedin account anymore. That was several years ago, but if someone has an active account, they could surely ask him.

[Cyprian]

I just send them a message on Linkedin

[exxos]

I just send them a message on Linkedin

[exxos]

I just send them a message on Linkedin

Did you ever hear back on the status of it all ?

[Cyprian]

Unfortunately no.