Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!seismo!mcnc!gatech!hao!noao!mcdsun!fnf From: fnf@mcdsun.UUCP (Fred Fish) Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga Subject: DISK RECALL Message-ID: <340@mcdsun.UUCP> Date: Mon, 20-Jul-87 18:34:08 EDT Article-I.D.: mcdsun.340 Posted: Mon Jul 20 18:34:08 1987 Date-Received: Wed, 22-Jul-87 03:43:30 EDT Organization: Motorola Microcomputer Division, Tempe, Az. Lines: 86 Summary: disks 80 and 88 contain proprietary software ******************* URGENT NOTICE *********************** * * * Please give this notice and its contents widest * * possible distribution. Repost to any electronic * * communications service and BBS on which it does * * not already exist. Thank you. * * * * Fred Fish 20-Jul-87 * * * ************************************************************ I have just spoken with Martin Murray, president of Inovatronics, 11311 Stemmons Freeway, Suite 7, Dallas Texas, concerning the contents of disk number 80 in my library of Amiga software. It appears that some dastardly individual took a copy of a commercial product of theirs, modified it to remove the copyright messages, and then released this modified version on one of the BBS's that I collected material from in the course of organizing this disk. Naturally, we are both VERY concerned about this, and the effect that it might have on the commercial value of their product. The programs in question are in the directory "Tools" on disk number 80. I am in the process of attempting to identify the original source of this modified version, to notify all recipients that this material is to be immediately removed from circulation, and to otherwise take all appropriate steps to reduce any damage caused by this release. I cannot say more at this time. Please help me out via the following steps: (1) Notify any individuals or organizations that you know of that have copies of, or redistribute disk 80, to destroy those copies and to stop distribution immediately. I will issue a replacement disk as soon as the dust settles. Anyone who received disk 80 from me should return the original disk for replacement. (2) Please send me a postcard with the name, address and phone number of organizations (including user groups) which you know of that redistribute my disks so that I may determine who the mainstream redistributers are, and track possible distribution channels. (3) If you are using these tools, please arrange to get a legitimate copy. I believe you can order a copy directly from Inovatronics, and they are interested in finding out how many honest users there are that will now be willing to pay for the product. Call (214) 241-9515. Consider this a personal plea from me, please do not rip these people off! The Amiga software industry has grown tremendously since I started collecting and distributing PD and freely redistributable software in late 1985. It is very hard to keep track of ALL the players with products on the market. For whatever reason (lack of sleep after late night hacking perhaps) I did not connect the name Inovatronics in this material with the "Power Windows <--> Inovatronics" people. I hope that the individual responsible for deliberately and knowingly causing this situation realizes the extent and seriousnous of the situation he has caused, and its implication for the future of Amiga PD software. Please help me to undo any damage I might have done by not being alert enough to see through this deception. Thank you. -Fred Fish 20-Jul-87 [LATE NEWS FLASH --- When it rains it pours, as they say....] Right after I wrote this file out but before I could post it, I received a call from Gary Samad of Software Visions Inc., the author of the excellent MicroFiche Filer program (he sent me the demo copy which was released on disk number 88). It seems that on the same disk that there is a program named "snap", which contains binary code compiled from source code that was developed by someone under contract to Software Visions. Gary has requested that the "snap" program be removed from distribution, so all comments above concerning disk number 80 and the directory "tools" apply equally to disk number 88 and the "snap" directory. It hasn't been a fun day folks.... -- = Drug tests; just say *NO*! = Fred Fish Motorola Computer Division, 3013 S 52nd St, Tempe, Az 85282 USA = seismo!noao!mcdsun!fnf (602) 438-3614