In article <3k51li$2av@ixnews1.ix.netcom.com>, bugfree@ix.netcom.com says...
>
>Would there be interest in the developer community for a Shareware port
>of the Standard Template Library ?
>I have successfully ported the STL to Visual C++ 2.x without any loss of
>functionality( it supports reverse iterators unlike the commercial ports
>available ).
>I am, however, hestitant to release it as shareware/freeware as I know
>nothing about shareware/freeware. Also I do not want to become support
>center for STL questions or be forced into providing ports of all future
>releases of the STL.
>Anybody have any creative ideas as to what I should do ?
>

IMO, it will be nearly impossible to make any money from a shareware port of
STL. With a free version available for the asking, and commercial ports
available at a fairly low price, I don't think you have a big enough market.
And I think the only reason anyone will purchase the commercial products is
for documentation and support, which you indicate you aren't too excited
about.

So while it isn't very creative, I think you should stamp your name on it
and give it away. You won't get any money but you might get some good ego
boost!

With any luck, Visual C++ 3.0 will come with a built-in version and you
won't ever have to worry about people calling you up and asking for support.

Mark Nelson
markn@iadfw.net

Would there be interest in the developer community for a Shareware port
of the Standard Template Library ?
I have successfully ported the STL to Visual C++ 2.x without any loss of
functionality( it supports reverse iterators unlike the commercial ports
available ).
I am, however, hestitant to release it as shareware/freeware as I know
nothing about shareware/freeware. Also I do not want to become support
center for STL questions or be forced into providing ports of all future
releases of the STL.
Anybody have any creative ideas as to what I should do ?

>>>>> Trevor Murphy <bugfree@ix.netcom.com> writes:

> Would there be interest in the developer community for a Shareware port
> of the Standard Template Library ?
> I have successfully ported the STL to Visual C++ 2.x without any loss of
> functionality( it supports reverse iterators unlike the commercial ports
> available ).
> I am, however, hestitant to release it as shareware/freeware as I know
> nothing about shareware/freeware. Also I do not want to become support
> center for STL questions or be forced into providing ports of all future
> releases of the STL.
> Anybody have any creative ideas as to what I should do ?

I would encourage you to leave it under the same copyright that HP's
version has...but then, I'm biased in favor of free software.  :)

So long as you make it clear that you aren't interested in supporting it,
no one is going to force you to.

If you send your changes to HP, they might well include them in their
distribution.

Jason