A question about QT's non-LGPL status

[Bob54325]

I just started to learn about QT, when I realized, noone who is developing priority software is going to do it for linux if QT is the primary GUI toolkit.

Why? If you go to trolltech.com than you see the prices for licenses of priority software for QT and the point above is reflected.

Therefore, if KDE takes over (which seems to be close to happening) then priority software developers won't develop a lot of software for Linux.Linux probably will not get new users if people do not develop priarity software for it.

Can someone explain why it is a good idea to develop for KDE if it helps bring on the downfall of Linux (and probably *BSD too.)

[Stuka]

Umm, do you realize what it costs to develop proprietary software for Windows? The license fees for QT are NOT steep for real software companies, I promise you.

[Bob54325]

Don't you just need a copy of visual C++ for $100 for the standard edition for Windows software development (I may be wrong since I know practicly nothing about Windows software development but I'm pretty sure...).

[kmj]

Originally posted by Bob54325:
<STRONG>Don't you just need a copy of visual C++ for $100 for the standard edition for Windows software development (I may be wrong since I know practicly nothing about Windows software development but I'm pretty sure...).</STRONG>

I beleive you'll find that the versions that are less than, I don't know, $1000 or so, are academic, which mean they explicitly state the products created can't be sold for profit... or something like that...

here's ms pricing info for professionals.. there's a little link at the bottom for academic info. http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/prodinfo/purchase/pricing.asp

[jemfinch]

Originally posted by Stuka:
Umm, do you realize what it costs to develop proprietary software for Windows? The license fees for QT are NOT steep for real software companies, I promise you.

You're a better reader than I am, apparently -- I was still trying to figure out
what "priority software" was when I read your post :)

Jeremy

[Bob54325]

I looked on their website and their seemed to be only one edition of Visual C++ if you wanted to buy it separatly:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/visualc/prodinfo/purchase/pricing.asp

I don't think it would be likely that the one edition that is sold is non-commercial...

[bwkaz]

I bet the standalone version of VC++ doesn't have any Windows API documentation though.

Part of Visual Studio is the MSDN CDs, which have all the documentation on them.

Sure, you can get a compiler for a little less, but it does you no good without the docs.

And actually, Trolltech does sell a commercial version of Qt for Windows, I believe.

[Qubit]

Ehm, Kylix was developed using QT, right? I think that the licensing prices for QT are relatively low for commercial companies, esp. if they get professional support from trolltech.

[Bob54325]

Originally posted by bwkaz:
<STRONG>I bet the standalone version of VC++ doesn't have any Windows API documentation though.

Part of Visual Studio is the MSDN CDs, which have all the documentation on them.

Sure, you can get a compiler for a little less, but it does you no good without the docs.

And actually, Trolltech does sell a commercial version of Qt for Windows, I believe.</STRONG>

Yes but:

1. The documentation is availible free online (I'm pretty sure)

2. If I'm wrong about the first one you can buy a book on Visual C++ for about $20

[bwkaz]

Originally posted by Bob54325:
<STRONG>1. The documentation is availible free online (I'm pretty sure)</STRONG>

Is it? I haven't seen it, but that of course doesn't mean it isn't there.

<STRONG>2. If I'm wrong about the first one you can buy a book on Visual C++ for about $20</STRONG>

A book on Visual C++, yes. But a book on Visual C++ (especially one for only $20) is most likely not going to have the full Windows API documentation in it. It takes 2 CDs in .chm format (those are the CDs that come with Visual Studio 6), so it isn't going to fit in any one book for $20. The paper alone would cost more than $20 (well, maybe not, but it'd probably be close).

[sans-hubris]

Originally posted by kmj:
<STRONG>I beleive you'll find that the versions that are less than, I don't know, $1000 or so, are academic, which mean they explicitly state the products created can't be sold for profit... or something like that...

here's ms pricing info for professionals.. there's a little link at the bottom for academic info. http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/prodinfo/purchase/pricing.asp</STRONG>
Academia gets absolutely incredible deals on software: http://wiscinfo.doit.wisc.edu/wisc/UW_Oshkosh/st_products.html

[kmj]

"Microsoft Visual C++ .NET Standard is available for customers who want to learn C/C++ or gain an introduction to .NET development through C++.

Microsoft Visual C++ .NET is also available as part of Visual Studio .NET Professional, Enterprise Developer, and Enterprise Architect editions. All Visual Studio .NET editions also include Microsoft Visual Basic® .NET, Microsoft Visual C#™ .NET, and support for dozens of other languages."

Reading the page certainly implies that this version is is not for professional developers. I betcha the lisence agreement would say a similar thing.

[Bob54325]

Point taken. Thank you for informing me.

[Stuka]

Actually, the Standard Edition of VC++ (~$100) does allow professional development. However, it lacks a LOT of the nicer features that would be awfully helpful in a lot of situations. I've bumped into this several times. The full docs are available (included on 2 CDs), but to be honest, the MS documentation is not stellar - in working on some ODBC stuff, I had to chase down the info I needed in a sample program, even though the function I was calling was referenced numerous places in the documentation. Also, in order to make an installable product without learning a huge new set of APIs (shortcuts, registry, etc.), you'll have to spend money on InstallShield, or a similar product. Then, if you don't want someone to be able to copy/pirate your proprietary code, you'll have to either spend MORE time learning more arcane Windows APIs, or buy ANOTHER product for security (dongle, etc.).

[Bob54325]

Originally posted by Stuka:
<STRONG>Actually, the Standard Edition of VC++ (~$100) does allow professional development. However, it lacks a LOT of the nicer features that would be awfully helpful in a lot of situations. I've bumped into this several times. The full docs are available (included on 2 CDs), but to be honest, the MS documentation is not stellar - in working on some ODBC stuff, I had to chase down the info I needed in a sample program, even though the function I was calling was referenced numerous places in the documentation. Also, in order to make an installable product without learning a huge new set of APIs (shortcuts, registry, etc.), you'll have to spend money on InstallShield, or a similar product. Then, if you don't want someone to be able to copy/pirate your proprietary code, you'll have to either spend MORE time learning more arcane Windows APIs, or buy ANOTHER product for security (dongle, etc.).</STRONG>

True but QT does NOT include an autoinstallation program, and does NOT include a security program. Just the APIs.