Comments on: WebObjects officially cross-platform again

By: theblade

theblade — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 +0000

Either way, it’s very good

I hope Apple can make the practical implications of the change clear:

Do people have to buy a license on non-Apple platforms per machine?

If so, where can people actually buy this license ? Is it $ 499 as OS X Server or is it $ 699 ?

Another developer asked about this, hope there’s a response from Apple…

http://lists.apple.com/archives/webobjects-dev/2005/Nov/msg00275.html

By: D'Arcy

D'Arcy — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 +0000

I’m pretty sure it’s more like “Apple is listening to the developer community” – there was a pretty vocal outcry after cross-platform deployment was dropped (especially with no real notice or consultation) since so many of us selected WebObjects because it could be deployed on several platforms.

By: Will Norris

Will Norris — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 +0000

While I certainly welcome it, I’m a little curious as to the motivation behind this move. Was the lack of cross platform support part of the whole “5.3 is just a developer preview” issue, or is Apple actually listening to the WO developer community and responding to so many people voicing concerns? I’m not sure that we’ll ever really know, but it is comforting to think about Apple once again listening to the WO community after a lengthy hiatus.

By: David LeBer

David LeBer — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 +0000

Since WO is now officially part of the developer tools, I think you’ll find that updates will be tied together from now on.

I’m sure you’ve found already that the Xcode 2.2 install .dmg contains the WebObjects 5.3.1 installer as well. In fact the WO 5.3.1 installer requires Xcode 2.2 before it will run.

By: D'Arcy

D'Arcy — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 +0000

David – it’s still downloading here (almost 2 hours after starting – slowish home connection) so I haven’t seen the contents of the .dmg yet. That’s pretty much what I figured after realizing Software Update wouldn’t get it for me

By: theblade

theblade — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 +0000

Yeah, great news on “official” new license, way to go, Apple !

But what I still don’t get: Is a new license number required for every non-Apple deployment platform machine ? Or is deployment free now ?

Same question popped up on the WO list so I guess, I’m not the only one confused

Linky: http://lists.apple.com/archives/webobjects-dev/2005/Nov/msg00213.html

By: David LeBer

David LeBer — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 +0000

theblade: From my reading of the license (included with WebObjects 5.3.1 in Xcode 2.2) it is pretty clear that it covers deployment for development purposes only. If my interpretation is correct, it would mean that to legally deploy for production you will need the deployment license (and key) available with Mac OS X Server.

(Caveat: I am not a lawyer, do not play one on TV, and although distant relatives are in the legal field, I no longer talk to that side of the family.)

By: theblade

theblade — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 +0000

@ David LeBer: Thanks.

At $ 499 for OS X Server, I guess this is not an issue in any case for a customer.

The problem I see is more a practical nature :

How does the poor non-Apple (Windows) admin pull the license number from the OS X Server CD ?

I suppose it will be easier to purchase a copy of OS X Server for each customer and send him the license key every time.

Maybe someone has a better idea ?

By: D'Arcy

D'Arcy — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 +0000

I’ll have to read the terms and conditions closely, but bbum just posted this:
http://www.friday.com/bbum/2005/11/11/webobjects-deployment-license-change/

By: theblade

theblade — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 +0000

Just to clarify my comment in 5, this problem will of course only occur people deploying on “non-Apple” servers.

In short: How can they quickly pull the valid license number for their machine from a OS X Server CD ?

(If indeed a license is needed for each machine – and I guess this is the case after reading the terms and the comments here)