Phase 1 License Goals

This is the set of goals that the Phase 1 Cosm license was developed from. It's a 'digested' version of the license, and also has additional comments on the "why" behind the goals.

I. Redistribution of all code and binaries must include this license.

II. No removal or modification of credits or revision history.

III. Distribution of all code and binaries must be free and without charge, except a fee for the physical act of transferring a copy.

IV. The user is free to use the Software for all commercial, non-commercial and research use, but all data and results must be published within 30 days of project completion or every 60 days if a project is continuous. All source code (no obfuscated code) must be published immediately at the start of the project. If publishing is beyond the means of the project (or becomes so), the data, results, or code must be made available to a 3rd party for public archive. - "Public Results"

[ Since Cosm will be using cycles from people all over the world, anything you produce with those cycles must be made available to all. One of the main goals of Cosm is to advance technology, and make things possible that would never be possible working alone. If you wish to be "greedy" with your results, then complete the project on your own with your own systems. ]

V. All source linked with or using the Cosm protocols or APIs must be distributed under this license or the Cosm Library License.

VI. All Cosm protocols, and API specifications belong to Adam L. Beberg. No modification, removal, or addition to underlying protocols or APIs without his permission.

[ In order for someone to tap into the global pool of computing power all the systems must speak the same protocols, otherwise the pool gets split up, and everyone has less resources available.

I have personally spent many many hours making "standard" HTML pages look the same in IE/Netscape/AOL because some corp decided not to follow the protocols. All of that time was wasted. Or ask the guys who created Java what happens when someone decides to change things, it breaks. Everyone loses.

This goal is also related to one of the main reasons I believe the Linux kernel has come as far as it has. There is a unified vision. No committee, no group to slow down progress, no bureaucracy. Convince Linus that there is a better way to do things, and if it fits into his master vision it happens, and it happens quickly. ]

VII. All source modifications made for porting or optimization should be offered back into the common source base so that all may benefit. Modified code (patches) or binaries may be distributed only if they are clearly and prominently marked as modified.

[ Any beneficial changes you make should be offered so that everyone can benefit from the new platforms and faster code. Anyone downloading a modified distribution needs to be aware of that fact and the problems that may go along with that. ]

VIII. Make best attempts to discontinue use of old versions once a new major version is available.

[ New versions come out for a reason. Bug fixes, optimizations, or changes in the protocols. All of which mean you have to upgrade to be compatable with every other system in the network. This should only happen during phase transitions. ]

IX. Standard no-fault disclaimer, acceptance of license, non-revocability, etc.