By steand on

Is the Ecademy platform available as a white label?

This post would seem to suggest that it is - http://www.ecademy.com/node.php?id=738 - as well as the fact that the platform is a customised version of the Drupal.

The post suggests emailing julian_bond AT-sign voidstar.com, which I have done and received no reply.

Perhaps other people might like to contact Julian to find out the score.

Ecademy, in their "ethics", claim to be driven by a set of ten values - http://www.ecademy.com/account.php?id=8 - (way down the page in bold. Ignore the rest.... mostly NLP bulls**t), the top four of which are...

1) Winning by Sharing
2) Openness
3) Honesty
4) Transparency

... So.

What are the rights of Ecademy with regard to the code?

Is Ecademy available as a White Label?

If not, in view of the above "ethics" and the software's origin, why not? Surely the spirit of the GPL and Ecademy's own values of "Winning by sharing" mean something?

Ste

Comments

boris mann’s picture

boris mann commented

It's based off of a 3.0 version of Drupal.

Since Ecademy runs as a service (not downloadable/distributed code), they are free to never release changes. Only if they provide the code to a third party are they required to release it under the GPL.

adrian’s picture

adrian commented

They don't distribute the system itself, and as such they are well within their rights to not distribute the source if they wish not to.

Also. Ecademy is based on Drupal 4.x last I heard, where x is either 3 or 4.

--
The future is so Bryght, I have to wear shades.

Gunnar Langemark@www.langemark.com’s picture

Gunnar Langemark@www.langemark.com commented

Isn't that what Julian is saying if you follow the link?
That you can get the source from Julian or just use Drupal?

How should it be distributed if eCademy choses to let others use their code?

Dropping in from Langemarks Cafe.

grohk’s picture

grohk commented

I personally do not think this applies, since Ecademy does not seem to actually be re-distributing the code. However, if they were doing so, then they would be required to provide source for their code.

From the GPL FAQ:

Q: A company is running a modified version of a GPL'ed program on a web site. Does the GPL say they must release their modified sources?

A: The GPL permits anyone to make a modified version and use it without ever distributing it to others. What this company is doing is a special case of that. Therefore, the company does not have to release the modified sources.

It is essential for people to have the freedom to make modifications and use them privately, without ever publishing those modifications. However, putting the program on a server machine for the public to talk to is hardly "private" use, so it would be legitimate to require release of the source code in that special case. We are thinking about doing something like this in GPL version 3, but we don't have precise wording in mind yet.

In the mean time, you might want to use the Affero GPL for programs designed for network server use.

Q: Is making and using multiple copies within one organization or company "distribution"?

A: No, in that case the organization is just making the copies for itself. As a consequence, a company or other organization can develop a modified version and install that version through its own facilities, without giving the staff permission to release that modified version to outsiders.

However, when the organization transfers copies to other organizations or individuals, that is distribution. In particular, providing copies to contractors for use off-site is distribution.

As, long as they keep their changes in house, then they are in the clear.

---
Code0range: Drink Your Juice

Gunnar Langemark@www.langemark.com’s picture

Gunnar Langemark@www.langemark.com commented

I think Julian will be happy to help you out, and if for any reason eCademy made some bad judgements they'll correct that too.
Don't get too agitated unless it's really called for please....

Dropping in from Langemarks Cafe.

pamphile’s picture

pamphile commented

I know your only trying to find out how to get access to the eacademy code. However, there was no need to call into question their ethics, especially since they haven't done anything wrong.

IMO, it does not put them a good light. I don't think you would appreciate it if someone did that to you... Maybe they don't answer much email, but that isn't an excuse to deal such a borderline disparaging comment.

http://01debug.com

steand’s picture

steand commented

With respect, I believe it is.

Ecademy try to distinguish themselves from other businesses by trading on ethics. You will find countless mentions of "Winning by Sharing" and something they call "Emotional Wealth" (no... me neither!).

They have, in the past, as evidenced by the above link, offered the ecademy platform as a "white label".

Now, forgive me if I'm wrong here, but the reason they used Drupal in the first place would have been to cut development time.

If someone wanted to cut the development time of a similar endeavour, and a system had been offered, wouldn't the spirit of the GPL suggest that this system should be delivered? Even if someone just wanted to play around with it?

cel4145’s picture

cel4145 commented

that the post you are referencing is three years old? So perhaps if you had emailed Julian in May of three years ago, they would have provided you with the source code. Otherwise, I think it a little much to call them out on the unavailability of an offer that old.

carl ditzler’s picture

carl ditzler commented

I wanted to add Julian Bond has made contributions to Drupal, including foaf export, Early on with Drupal, he activitely participated on the developer mailing list. From what I've seen, he is respected.

sepeck’s picture

sepeck commented

And oh look, it shows that you start with standard Drupal and build it out.
http://www.ecademy.com/node.php?id=738&ecademy=27d852dec2cb0da6454d3423d...

It looks as if it was a service offering for services, not a custom download.

In future please note that by starting off with a mud slinging type post questioning the ethics of people you don't know and have never met is not necessarily the best way to ask questions. Especially when it is beginning to look like you read something wrong.

-sp
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Test site...always start with a test site.
Drupal Best Practices Guide

-Steven Peck
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Test site, always start with a test site.
Drupal Best Practices Guide