root/morphix/trunk/cdrom-misc/GUIDELINES

The Morphix Derivative-Distribution Guidelines

Executive/IANAL Summary: This file suggests a number of points for makers
of derivative distributions to comply by. It strives to give derivatives the
freedom to use Morphix in any way possible and only gives guidelines. 

The Morphix project will provide services for new derivatives to 
make them known and let them grow using the website of the Morphix project 
(www.morphix.org). They may make use of fora and documentation facilities. If 
the Morphix project agrees, they may make use of the same space for 
distribution of the derivative, as long as it is clear that the derivative is 
not an official cdrom image from the Morphix project. They may also use the 
mailinglist for (occasional) announcements, as long as it is clear that the 
derivative is not an official cdrom image from the Morphix project. 

We hope that there will be a mutual beneficial relationship between the Morphix
project and all derivatives.

These guidelines do not change or attempt to change any licenses of the 
different pieces of software on the cdrom image themselves. 
These may be licensed under both free software licenses as specified by the 
Open Source Definition (www.opensource.org/docs/definition.php), 
or by non-free licenses. The Morphix Base iso is at all times kept Free.

The Morphix project may be contacted via the Morphix website on www.morphix.org
for inclusion of derivative modules into the list of official Morphix modules,
or for any other reason deemed necessary.

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Definitions:

A 'cdrom image' is specified as:
A filesystem that can be written to portable read-only or read-write media. 
For simplicity, this is called a cdrom image, but images for DVD's, Compact 
Flash or any other media also fall under these guidelines.

A 'module' is specified as:
A compressed image using, but not limited to, the cloop compression technique,
which is placed in a subdirectory which is scanned for modules to be loaded
at boottime. A special module is the initial boot module, normally in the /base
directory of the cdrom image, which is named the base module. This module loads
other modules which can be, but don't need to be, on the cdrom image.

A 'derivation' or 'derivative' of Morphix is one of the following:
- The base module is used to load any other module not supplied by the Morphix
project via, but not limited to: website (www.morphix.org), file transfer 
protocol, by mail or in person.
- The base module is used to load a module supplied by the Morphix project as
stated above, but this module has been altered internally in any way. This
includes, but is not limited to, the adding, replacing or removing of files in
the module itself.
- The base module has been internally changed in any way. This includes, but
is not limited to, the adding, replacing or removing of files in the module 
itself.

A 'derivation' or 'derivative' of Morphix is not:
- a cdrom image, in which only the boot options (ie. arguments given to the 
base module) have been changed. They still may follow these guidelines though,
but only the beer-part is encouraged.

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Guidelines:

All contacts of derivatives of Morphix cdrom images are suggested to, but need
not have to, do one or more of the following:

- Notify the Morphix project about the existance of the derived cdrom image.
 This is especially appreciated if the derivative is used for commercial 
 purposes. We like building Morphix for you, but if someone makes revenue from 
 it we would like to know this. For the personal opinion of Alex de Landgraaf 
 and commercial FLOSS, please see: http://am.xs4all.nl/drupal/?q=node/view/50
 Please take note of the FLOSS-tax described. Make sure your gums are clean.

- Include this file with the derivative, along with any other license 
 information that might or might not be required. If you don't want to, you
 may throw this file out, but you are encouraged to keep it in place.

- On the website of the derivative, add a link to the Morphix website
 and specify in architecture documentation with relation to the
 software being used that the cdrom image is a Morphix derivative.

- Place contact information on the cdrom image, uncompressed and thus not
 in a module. This would normally include your name, email address and the date
 of creation of the cdrom image.

- Supply a version of the cdrom image to the Morphix project, via the internet,
 by mail or in person if possible. Contact the Morphix project for details. 
 We always like playing around with interesting live CDs :)

- Supply feedback, bugfixes and other changes that might be of interest to
 the Morphix project or improve the Morphix architecture or different modules.
 This in turn will help your project too!

- Buy developers of the Morphix project a beer when they are in the area of
 the contact of the derivative. The developers should buy the second beer, as
 the relationship needs to be a mutual benefitial one. The further exchange of
 beers is encouraged.