The following message, from Mike Busch of S/W 2000 is copied from Compuserve
Hamnet (where there is considerable ongoing discussion of this subject)...
#: 75026 S9/Packet Radio
08-May-88 16:09:01
Sb: NET/ROM Ripoff!
Fm: Mike Busch [W6IXU] 76337,727
To: All
When NORD><LINK announced their NET/ROM look-alike called "THENET" a couple of
months ago, I remained publicly silent on the subject because I did not want to
risk making any false accusations of plagerism. However, a few days ago we
received a copy of the hex object file for THENET and Ron Raikes WA8DED (author
of NET/ROM) spent a considerable time analyzing its contents in detail. As a
result, I can no longer remain silent.
THENET is THE NET/ROM. The code is 99%+ byte-for-byte identical to NET/ROM
1.3...verbatim! It is apparent that NORD><LINK made no effort whatsoever to
conceal the origins of THENET (by rearranging code or reordering procedures,
for example). For all intents and purposes, the Germans simply removed our
copyright notice, relocated a block of constants to the front of the ROM, put
their name on it, and started distributing it.
Folks, let me make myself perfectly clear. This is unabashed theivery. THENET
is a ripoff of NET/ROM plain and simple. Detlef J. Schmidt DK4EG and his German
NORD><LINK cohorts are thieves. THENET is stolen property.
I appeal to all radio amateurs of conscience to shun THENET. If you wouldn't
accept a stolen Rolex on the street from a shady-looking character in a trench
coat, then you shouldn't touch THENET with a ten-foot pole.
If you are a BBS sysop, please don't allow THENET to be posted to your
database. If you do, you are inadvertantly fencing stolen property. And
please help get the word out by posting this message or a synopsis thereof.
Your help is much appreciated.
I am told that these are the same bums that ripped off TAPR's TNC-2 circuitry
and firmware in Europe. They are ripping us off now, and will continue to
steal the intellectual property of creative radio amateurs in the future unless
they are exposed and discredited. Allowing this sort of thing to continue can
only hurt amateur radio.
Thank you for listening!
Mike Busch W6IXU / Software 2000, Inc.
-------
FYI -- from the W3IWI BBS:
35695 B $ 4225 ALL @NETROM W3IWI 12-May More on THENET vs. NET/ROM
Bulletin ID: 35695_W3IWI
R:880512/0506z 35695@W3IWI [Balto/Wash]
The following additional comments have been received from AA4RE and are
relayed without comment:
-------------------------------------------
R:880512/0427z 35692@W3IWI [Balto/Wash]
R:880511/2016 @:AA4RE-5 Gilroy #:1302 O:AA4RE S:880511/2035 Z:95020
I received the following note today from Heinz, DJ6AP. I would
like to make the following points before you read it, cease rational
thought, and start figuring out how to send a bomb via packet.
Neither I nor DJ6AP have any connection to NORD><LINK or Software
2000. We are simply trying to pass information with regards to
amateur radio as fast as possible so don't send him or I any nasty
notes.
At DJ6AP's request, I have made cosmetic improvements (e.g.
spelling and paragraphing).
Do NOT send me comments to be sent to Germany. The "connection" I
have is very brittle and I am not going to relay "flames" about this
and that. If you want to send your notes somewhere, get DF2AU's or
W6IXU's address from a callbook.
I don't think it is a good idea to flood packet with opinions
unless you have the source code from both places in front of you.
I also don't care to hear fourteenth hand information about who
ripped off who in the past. NORD><LINK has made considerable
contibutions to the state of packet in Europe and I have several
pieces of their software such as THEBOX, a multi-connect mailbox
program. Actions of members of a group does not necessarily reflect
the attitude of the majority of the group.
I will, however, try to keep everyone posted on what's happening
direct from the principals whenever possible.
Roy, AA4RE, Gilroy CA -- May 11th, 1988
(and now the legal notice: NETROM is copyright Software 2000. The
opinions expressed below are neither mine nor DJ6AP so don't sue us!)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
SUBJECT: THENET AND MSG FOR MIKE BUSCH W6IXU
I WAS VERY CONCERNED AS I RECEIVED THE ABOVE MENTIONED NOTE
(editorial note: This is IXU's message on COMPUSERV on 5/8/88) FIRSTLY
I STOPPED DISTRIBUTION OF THENET CODE. THEN I DISCUSSED THE MATTER
WITH HAMS FROM DK4EG'S LOCAL CLUB, HE IS NOW LIVING IN BRAUNSCHWEIG
300 KM FAR FROM HERE. THEY SUGGESTED ME TO HAVE A CALL TO DETLEF,
DK4EG.
I READ, DETLEF THE MAIL FROM W6IXU AND ASK HIM FOR A STATEMENT.
HE TOLD ME THAT HE IS NOT THE PROGRAMMER, HE TRANSFERRED THE CODE INTO
'BITNET' BECAUSE HE HAS SOME CONNECTION TO IT. HE TOLD ME ALSO THENET
IS NOT STOLEN FORM NETROM. THENET IS A REWRITE WITH ENHANCEMENTS.
LATER IN THE NIGHT I CALLED DF2AU, ONE OF THE PROGRAMMER OF
THENET. I READ HIM ALSO THE ABOVE MENTIONED MAIL FROM W6IXU AND ASKED
HIM FOR A STATEMENT. HERE SOME SENTENCES FROM THE FONECALL: THEY HAD
SOME COMMUNICATION WITH RON AND MIKE IN THE PAST ABOUT CHANGES IN
NETROM OR WHATSOEVER. I LOST IT... IS NOT IMPORTANT I BELIEVE.
HE TOLD ME ALSO: THENET IS A COMPLETE REWRITE IN C-CODE. THEY USE
A COMPILER CALLED 'QC VERSION 4.0' AND SOME KIND OF OPTIMIZER. WA8DED
USED ALSO THE QC C-COMPILER BUT VERSION 3.2 ! THEY MADE SEVERAL
ENHANCEMENTS, THENET IS CAPABLE TO RUN FULLDUPLEX, NETROM DOESNT.
THEY USED THE NETROM PROTOCOL TO BE COMPATIBLE. ALSO THEY KEPT THE
USER COMMAND SURFACE TO KEEP IT SIMPLE FOR USER.
THEY MADE SO MANY FUNCTIONAL CHANGES IN THENET THAT IT COULD NEVER
BE A CODE COPIED LOOKALIKE. DISASSEMBLING NETROM AND THEN REWRITING
IT IN C WOULD BE SILLY. AT THE TIME THEY ARE IN THE DOCUMENTATION
PROCESS. THE C-SOURCE WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR EVERYBODY SOON AND FREE
OF CHARGE. AMATEUR RADIO IS A HOBBY AND NOT MAKING MONEY OUT OF IT!
AFTER THIS LONG TELEFON CALL, I WILL DISTRIBUTE THE CODE FURTHER.
THE DISTRIBUTING PROCESS ALL OVER EUROPE IS RUNNING BY OTHERS ALSO. I
WILL FORWARD 'THENET' QUESTIONS FROM LEVEL3 FORUM TO DF2AU+DC2OC THE
PROGRAMMER OF THENET. I WILL ALSO PUT THE W6IXU MAIL INTO THE GERMAN
NET AND WILL ASK THE DK4EG, DF2AU, DC4OC FOR A WRITTEN STATEMENT. I
HOPE THIS WILL BRING SOME CLEARNESS INTO THE MATTER.
