Re: Walnut Creek

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• Reply: Kris Nosack: "Re: Walnut Creek"

>
>
> Just as a side note: This is not the first time Walnut Creek has gotten
> in trouble for indiscriminatly scooping up files and throwing them on
> a CDROM disk! They got in some hot water with AMSAT-NA (AMateur SATellite
> organization of North America) when they included a copyrighted and NON
> public domain program on one of their CDROMs targeted for Amateur Radio
> enthusiasts. AMSAT-NA uses this program to generate funds for satellite
> projects, so including it on a CDROM caused a BIG uproar with the AMSAT-NA
> folks since it robs them of potential donations! The program (a satellite
> tracking program called InstaTrack) is ONLY sent to people who send in an
> order for it so it's really questionable how Walnut Creek got the program in
> the first place (probably from some pirate BBS).
>

This is inflammatory exaggeration. My understanding of the situation is that
it was an accidental oversight resulting from copyrighted commercial
software that was stored among hundreds of other files on a major FTP
site and included on an early version of the CD-ROM. It has since been
removed from later versions and AMSAT-NA considers the matter settled.

Yes, Walnut Creek should have been more careful in scrutinizing its
files, but one incorrectly-included file out of hundreds obtained from
otherwise reputable FTP sites (not "pirate BBS's" which you've wildly
speculated about), with the custodians' permission and assurances
that they had been checked, can happen. It doesn't necessarily mean that
Walnut Creek is unscrupulous or that broad analogies can be made between
one accident and this current project.

> Just thought I'd let you all know that Walnut Creek's track record isn't
> real good.

Only in your overactive imagination, Kris. Walnut Creek is one of the
most honest and conscientious players in the CD-ROM industry.

--
Paul W. Schleck
pschleck@unomaha.edu

Amateur Radio Elmers Resource Directory 

Available on the QRZ! Ham-Radio CD-ROM
(yes, I got a free copy)

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• In reply to: Kris Nosack: "Walnut Creek"
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• Reply: Kris Nosack: "Re: Walnut Creek"

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