Hi.
I wanted to let you know that EDF has just released one of its numerical simulation softwares (mechanics mostly) as free software (under the GPL).
I haven't tested it as I am no physics expert, but I'm glad such a big company (national Power operator) releases one of its softwares in our community. And, btw, you'll notice that it is no abandonware : EDF plans to work at least 3 more years on it.
Note that the web site is only in french at the present time, since it's mostly used only by french people at the present time, I think... but you may manage to download the software anyway ;)
If someone with enough numerical simulation skills can test it and comment...
Oh, btw, the sources aren't available at the present time and EDF promised to provide them on december 15.
I copy the press-release of EDF below : ====================================== October 19 th , 2001
Press release
EDF R&D has developed for twelve years a numerical simulation software for structural analysis, Code_Aster ® . Widely used for the expertise and maintenance of power plants and electrical networks, this tool covers a wide range of applications today :
thermal and mechanical analysis - 3D linear or non linear, static or dynamic analysis pressure vessels - machines - civil engineering - porous media
Benefiting from the skills and the quality requirements of the nuclear engineering industry, this tool is already appreciated by manufacturers and technical centers, research teams, service suppliers and teachers.
EDF R&D, responsible for the development of Code_Aster and its distribution to the EDF teams, opens a new 3-year cycle of development and qualification.
This effort is justified by the needs of the EDF Group in mechanical analysis and multi-physics simulation. We wish that this step could benefit from the contributions of numerous research teams (academic or industrial) and provide them in return with a long-lasting shelter than can be easily used for their own works.
To favor the emergence of wide network of users, collect the maximum of observations and remarks from the mechanical community, allow the enrichment of the tool, EDF R&D chose to lean on the Internet technologies.
www.code-aster.org
the new Web site, presented on October 19 th , 2001 at the « Maison de la Mécanique », near Paris gives access to the development version of Code_Aster in the form of a free software, under GPL license (GNU General Public License).
EDF R&D provides the community with the whole Code_Aster software and additional tools, all the documentation and a wide corpus of tests and examples, an open architecture and all source programs.
The users network animation features, widely open to debate, define explicitly the services and the derived works.
Any company or organization will be allowed to distribute the software in the market, under its own responsibility and independently from EDF.
On Tue, Oct 23, 2001 at 04:28:11PM +0200, Olivier Berger wrote:
I wanted to let you know that EDF has just released one of its numerical simulation softwares (mechanics mostly) as free software (under the GPL).
Right now it is _not_ under the GPL.
http://www.code-aster.org/telechargement/read_license.php?dl=Code_Aster | The present license is entirely based on the official GNU GENERAL | PUBLIC LICENSE, Version 2, June 1991, with the three (3) following | remarks : | - We call your attention on the high level of technology of the | Code_Aster software. The utilization of the software requires | specific skills in computational mechanics using finite element | method. | - This License shall be governed by and shall be interpreted in | accordance with the French Laws. | - All disputes or differences arising out in connection with this | License which cannot be settled amicably shall be settled by the | commercial court of Paris or any other competent court of Paris | which would be determined.
The second and third remark might be problematic and even render it uncompatible with the GPL.
Oh, btw, the sources aren't available at the present time and EDF promised to provide them on december 15.
We applaude their aim to release their product as Free Software.
However we should insist that they do not call a modified GNU GPL the real thing and we have to wait for the code.
I copy the press-release of EDF below :
October 19 th , 2001
www.code-aster.org
the new Web site, presented on October 19 th , 2001 at the « Maison de la Mécanique », near Paris gives access to the development version of Code_Aster in the form of a free software, under GPL license (GNU General Public License).
Bernhard Reiter a écrit :
On Tue, Oct 23, 2001 at 04:28:11PM +0200, Olivier Berger wrote:
I wanted to let you know that EDF has just released one of its numerical simulation softwares (mechanics mostly) as free software (under the GPL).
Right now it is _not_ under the GPL.
http://www.code-aster.org/telechargement/read_license.php?dl=Code_Aster | The present license is entirely based on the official GNU GENERAL | PUBLIC LICENSE, Version 2, June 1991, with the three (3) following | remarks : | - We call your attention on the high level of technology of the | Code_Aster software. The utilization of the software requires | specific skills in computational mechanics using finite element | method. | - This License shall be governed by and shall be interpreted in | accordance with the French Laws. | - All disputes or differences arising out in connection with this | License which cannot be settled amicably shall be settled by the | commercial court of Paris or any other competent court of Paris | which would be determined.
The second and third remark might be problematic and even render it uncompatible with the GPL.
You're right.
This is something that we discovered afterwards, and which sould definitely be addressed by EDF.
I think we'll have to chat a lot with their lawyers in the next days.
We'll let you know what happens on that matter.
And of course, I hope they won't change their mind about the choice of the GPL, since they seem to have found lots of benefits in the GPL... and I hope these 3 points thay wanted to add won't block anything... the future will tell.
If only they had asked us before doing such "additions" to the GNU GPL :( But of course their lawyers are smarter than us ;)
Regards,
On Wed, Oct 24, 2001 at 01:27:27AM +0200, Olivier Berger wrote:
Bernhard Reiter a écrit :
Right now it is _not_ under the GPL.
And of course, I hope they won't change their mind about the choice of the GPL, since they seem to have found lots of benefits in the GPL... and I hope these 3 points thay wanted to add won't block anything... the future will tell.
As I said: It is not GPL right now.
If only they had asked us before doing such "additions" to the GNU GPL :( But of course their lawyers are smarter than us ;)
What lawyers often miss is that the GPL is more than just a license. The GNU GPL is known to the Free Software community and they also protect the GPL with public image.
Bernhard
Bernhard Reiter a écrit :
On Wed, Oct 24, 2001 at 01:27:27AM +0200, Olivier Berger wrote:
Bernhard Reiter a écrit :
Right now it is _not_ under the GPL.
And of course, I hope they won't change their mind about the choice of the GPL, since they seem to have found lots of benefits in the GPL... and I hope these 3 points thay wanted to add won't block anything... the future will tell.
As I said: It is not GPL right now.
I meant "removing the 3 points they wanted..." actually.
My wording was ambiguous.
Either they remove it and use plain GPL, or they choose another totally different license.
Bernhard Reiter bernhard@intevation.de writes:
The second and third remark might be problematic and even render it uncompatible with the GPL.
Oh, btw, the sources aren't available at the present time and EDF promised to provide them on december 15.
We applaude their aim to release their product as Free Software.
However we should insist that they do not call a modified GNU GPL the real thing and we have to wait for the code.
We are in contact with EDF about this issue. I hope we'll solve the problem.