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Valerie Sutton wrote:
<blockquote cite="mid2E5CBEE7-1100-403E-957F-6DCF7C2C6025@mac.com"
type="cite">SignWriting List
<br>
May 29, 2007
<br>
<br>
On May 28, 2007, at 10:49 PM, GerardM wrote:
<br>
<blockquote type="cite">It seems obvious to me that with SignWriting
seeking more people to write their sign language, it is relevant to
allow people use the SignWriting characters and fonts, the software
and material as freely as possible. In this way you grow an ecosystem
that will be of benefit to the whole community. It seems to me that
SignWriting is the best defence that sign languages have. It gains
strength in the number of people able to write and promote their sign
language.
<br>
</blockquote>
<br>
Sandy, Gerard, Steve, Everyone -
<br>
I think it is wonderful that Sandy wants to do his software! NO ONE is
restricting Sandy or anyone to do their software. Of course it is
obvious that everyone must be "allowed" to use SignWriting...in fact I
am begging everyone to use SignWriting.
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<br>
PLEASE use SignWriting! There are no restrictions or limitations. I
never created any. If someone thinks there are limitations, they are
creating them in their own mind....
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<br>
The very purpose of SignWriting is to be used by millions of people
free and open, just as the Roman Alphabet is...
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<br>
This idea of licenses is creating as many problems as it is
solving...making people feel like some how they will be excluded from
the SignWriting family...NEVER. All are welcome.
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<br>
I am worried that someone will feel like a license keeps them from
using SignWriting, even when it states that it is open and free. That
is why I absolutely must write a personal and encouraging and open
letter to the general public, and place it on our web sites, in which I
explain in plain English that SignWriting is free for you and everyone
to use.
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<br>
So Sandy, I just want to be sure that you know you are welcome to
develop your software!
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OK. Next week I will try to write that open letter to everyone -
<br>
<br>
And I hope everyone will relax about this issue. I am beginning to
think that maybe it should be in the Public Domain...how else can we
encourage people to use SignWriting? You all assume that I have
copyrighted everything...but actually I haven't...but it seems like no
one believes me!
<br>
</blockquote>
Not ALL of us. Though at one time I did wonder. You have made it
clear you want us to use SignWriting and we WILL!!! <span
class="moz-smiley-s1"><span> :-) </span></span>Just a
suggestion. Make a link to the first page of the website to <br>
<br>
YES! Questions and Answers about Trademarks
<br>
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext"
href="http://www.signwriting.org/about/questions/quest0004.html">http://www.signwriting.org/about/questions/quest0004.html</a>
<br>
<br>
and also on the pages where the IMWA is downloaded. This should help
anybody who is thinking about making a derived work. For most of us it
should be enough.<br>
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Just to let you know, my program is coming along slowly but surely. <br>
<blockquote cite="mid2E5CBEE7-1100-403E-957F-6DCF7C2C6025@mac.com"
type="cite"><br>
And I don't want to waste the years I have left to live on the earth,
worrying about limitations, when SignWriting is limitless... <br>
</blockquote>
Yes, keep up your constructive work!!! It is very appreciate world
round!!!!<br>
<br>
Jonathan
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