SMF 2.0 and Joomla bridge?

Started by Ronny, June 13, 2011, 09:36:25 AM

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Ronny

Is the stable release of SMF 2.0 and the rebirth of the SMF project as open source software (licensed under the BSD License) change the view against the license problems connecting SMF and Joomla! Will it open the door for a Joomla-brigde? I went away from SMF because of this but I miss SMF so much. Joomla and SMF are the best in their source!

Kindred

maybe...   it will probably be some time before someone picks up the bridge(s) again though.
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Omega X

As far as I know, BSD is not compatible with GPLv3. So I doubt that a Joomla bridge will still be legal.

Kindred

have to look into it, but if so...    it just re-emphasizes what I have said about the idiocy of the GPL.
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Norv

#4
Quote from: Omega X on June 18, 2011, 03:58:02 PM
As far as I know, BSD is not compatible with GPLv3. So I doubt that a Joomla bridge will still be legal.

Actually, BSD is GPL-compatible.

http://www.gnu.org/licenses/license-list.html#GPLCompatibleLicenses
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_FSF_approved_software_licenses

Most GPL-licensed software (i.e. Wordpress, etc) can have extensions/plugins licensed as GPL-compatible licenses, including BSD license.

However, in the Joomla case things may be more complicated. Because according to Joomla,
(http://opensourcematters.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=55)
Quote
Can I release an extension under a GPL Compatible license?
[...]
Extensions extend and derive from Joomla! and Joomla! is GNU GPL. Therefore extensions cannot be licensed with a less restrictive license.
[...]
For more than two years the Joomla! Project has clearly stated that in its view and the views of the legal experts we have consulted extensions are almost always derivative works for Joomla and must therefore be licensed using the GNU GPL.

BSD is a permissive open source license, GPL-compatible. It is obviously less restrictive than GPL itself.

It seems they require GPL only for extensions, that is, it sounds to me like they do NOT accept a GPL-compatible license.

I will look into this more throughfully though. To my knowledge of past issues as well as other open source projects, however, it is sometimes - like in this case - the choice of the respective software project to accept or disallow extensions licenses in the strictest interpretation of GPL possible - and by that, forbid even GPL-compatible licenses.

Please don't take this as anything but initial brainstorming on the future of Joomla integration, now that SMF itself is BSD licensed, though. I appreciate further opinions on the matter.
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GravuTrad

It's incredible to see that gpl forbid a thing...for a free licence it's incredible...
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Kindred

oh...   GPL is probably one of the worst licenses out there...

It **LOOKS** like it's free, but there is actually a built in restriction that anything associated with it has to be GPL (or GPL compatible). The problem, in Joomla's case is that (as I understand it), they are using the most restrictive of GPL versions...   which means that even GPL-compatible might not be valid.
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Oldiesmann

Best thing to do would be to contact the Joomla devs and ask them specifically. If they still say "no", then we'll just officially give up :)
Michael Eshom
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Quote from: Norv on June 19, 2011, 04:09:37 PM
Actually, BSD is GPL-compatible.

http://www.gnu.org/licenses/license-list.html#GPLCompatibleLicenses
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_FSF_approved_software_licenses

Note that in the FSF's mind, GPL-compatible means that the code can be subsumed by the GPL license. Basically, GPL-compatible + GPL = GPL.


Quote from: Norv on June 19, 2011, 04:09:37 PM
It seems they require GPL only for extensions, that is, it sounds to me like they do NOT accept a GPL-compatible license.

I will look into this more throughfully though. To my knowledge of past issues as well as other open source projects, however, it is sometimes - like in this case - the choice of the respective software project to accept or disallow extensions licenses in the strictest interpretation of GPL possible - and by that, forbid even GPL-compatible licenses.

All that means is that any Joomla!-SMF bridge would be required to be GPL-licensed. Even if it contains BSD-licensed code, the whole work would fall under the GPL terms by their view. Note that this is by design of the license.

Depending on how crazy you want to be, this could then go to an extreme where SMF in such a bridged configuration would be covered under the GPL license. Not a huge issue, that, since it only applies to distribution. However, SMF + a pre-installed Joomla! bridge would be required to be GPL-licensed then. Of course, I'm just speculating on that part. If you want to be sure, consult an experienced lawyer.
Motoko-chan
Director, Simple Machines

Note: Unless otherwise stated, my posts are not representative of any official position or opinion of Simple Machines.


Kindred

and this is yet another reason why GPL is the stupidest license in existence....
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hefesto

As SMF 2.0+ is using the "new" 3-clause BSD license there's no problem at all with GPL. Take a look at these links:

http://www.simplemachines.org/about/smf/license.php
http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html#OrigBSD
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Original_BSD_license#4-clause

So AFAIK there's no problem at all with Joomla and SMF 2.0 licenses.

Maybe, to avoid confussion, it would be a good idea to follow FSF's recommendation of naming this license SMF is using as "Modified BSD". Just my 2 cents.

Kindred

hefesto,

actually- you are incorrect.  Joomla's interpretation of the GPL is actually very rigid and not necessarily the  same as what you would normally interpret.

I am not saying that it can't be done...    I am saying that it will take some time and review before we get a clear feel on whether it should be done. (and besides tha, we have to find a developer who is interested in working on bridges - right now none of our devs are)
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Please do not PM, IM or Email me with support questions.  You will get better and faster responses in the support boards.  Thank you.

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GravuTrad

Maybe a joomla user who use smf too can....
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TwitchisMental

Quote from: Kindred on June 20, 2011, 12:30:09 PM
oh...   GPL is probably one of the worst licenses out there...

It **LOOKS** like it's free, but there is actually a built in restriction that anything associated with it has to be GPL (or GPL compatible). The problem, in Joomla's case is that (as I understand it), they are using the most restrictive of GPL versions...   which means that even GPL-compatible might not be valid.


+1 GPL is suppose to be free software,but in reality it is software how that loon Richard Stallman sees it.  You are still locked in by many rules just like propitiatory software. Which is why I am very happy SMF choose the BSD license.

NiceCarvings

Quote from: Sman1400 on July 06, 2011, 07:06:32 PM
Quote from: GravuTrad on July 06, 2011, 12:43:10 PM
Maybe a joomla user who use smf too can....

http://extensions.joomla.org/extensions/communication/forum-bridges/11442

I do not recommend this bridge if you value seo or unique url's for your smf forum. I tried it and deleted it almost immediately because of that. It actually functions well enough and seems like its ajax based in an iframe or something, but just not for me. If I'm going to have a forum I want unique urls for each post, etc.

Has anyone tried this? http://www.joomlahacks.com/component/option,com_remository/Itemid,41/func,fileinfo/id,477/

FidelGonzales

Quote from: NiceCarvings on October 21, 2011, 06:06:47 PM
Quote from: Sman1400 on July 06, 2011, 07:06:32 PM
Quote from: GravuTrad on July 06, 2011, 12:43:10 PM
Maybe a joomla user who use smf too can....

http://extensions.joomla.org/extensions/communication/forum-bridges/11442

I do not recommend this bridge if you value seo or unique url's for your smf forum. I tried it and deleted it almost immediately because of that. It actually functions well enough and seems like its ajax based in an iframe or something, but just not for me. If I'm going to have a forum I want unique urls for each post, etc.

Has anyone tried this? http://www.joomlahacks.com/component/option,com_remository/Itemid,41/func,fileinfo/id,477/

I just saw that SMF had modified its licensing, which is great news, particularly for its community but also, seemingly, for those using Joomla. I love SMF.

And the referenced Joomla extension above appeared very promising, but I thank you greatly, Melissa, for the review.

As for Joomla Hacks, I used to make use of it years ago with great results, particularly with search engines, but somewhere along the line it stopped working.

Pek1

Is it possible to bridge SMF 2.0.2 with Joomla 1.7 or maybe 1.5 at the moment ? If it is please provide me a link for the files needed.






Greetings,
Peter

Aravot

There is the following bridge too, I used it on Joomla 1.5.25 and SMF 2.0.2 site without any major issues (it has few issues but I managed few workarounds).

http://code.google.com/p/sjsb/

If anyone interest porting the bridge to Joomla 2.5 I will sponsor few hours of coding.

eric1234

Quote from: Aravot on January 14, 2012, 03:05:08 PM
There is the following bridge too, I used it on Joomla 1.5.25 and SMF 2.0.2 site without any major issues (it has few issues but I managed few workarounds).

http://code.google.com/p/sjsb/

If anyone interest porting the bridge to Joomla 2.5 I will sponsor few hours of coding.
how about Joomla 1.7 to SMF 2.0.2? :)

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