publishing a MS Access Database under one of the open licenses

[windandwaves]

Dear All

I am looking at publishing an MS Access Database under an open license.
That means that I will make it freely available on my website, that anyone
can use it, but that no-one can restrict its use. So, people can sell it
for money if they want to, but no-one can claim ownership.

Now, I do not want to discuss the virtues of the open licenses itself. Just
take the above as a given (I may have even used some wrong terminology).

What I want to know:

- if anyone has done anything like this
- if anyone would recommend such an approach
- what to watch for

The reason to do this is that I see a pretty large market for the database
(reservation database for small hotels) and that I would like other people
to work on it and use it, rather than it just gathering dust on my PC.

I sell the database to hotels, but what I really sell is my knowledge and
training. I do not really sell the database itself.

Anyway, these are just some thoughts. I look forward to hear some of your
views.
- Nicolaas

[Lyle Fairfield]

windandwaves wrote:

Dear All

I am looking at publishing an MS Access Database under an open license.
That means that I will make it freely available on my website, that anyone
can use it, but that no-one can restrict its use. So, people can sell it
for money if they want to, but no-one can claim ownership.

Whether or not one can use the database, it may be enjoyable or
educational to examine it.

Others may wish to make additions or modifications. What will your
position on this be? If someone has a great idea, modifies your db and
sends you a copy, will you, after testing, replace the old published
version with the new?

--
Lyle

[Eric E]

I second Lyle's remark about modifications and followup. While your
code may well be useful to people, it will be much more useful if it
comes with your backing and followup, and that of others. I'd suggest
that you a) post it on sourceforge or some code development site like
that, and b) encourage and reply to contributors. This will hopefully
help you get a user community started around your database.
Cheers,

Eric

Lyle Fairfield wrote:

windandwaves wrote:

Dear All

I am looking at publishing an MS Access Database under an open
license. That means that I will make it freely available on my
website, that anyone can use it, but that no-one can restrict its
use. So, people can sell it for money if they want to, but no-one can
claim ownership.

Whether or not one can use the database, it may be enjoyable or
educational to examine it.

Others may wish to make additions or modifications. What will your
position on this be? If someone has a great idea, modifies your db and
sends you a copy, will you, after testing, replace the old published
version with the new?

--
Lyle

[windandwaves]

Lyle Fairfield wrote:

Others may wish to make additions or modifications. What will your
position on this be? If someone has a great idea, modifies your db and
sends you a copy, will you, after testing, replace the old published
version with the new?

Absolutely. That is an important reason for doing it. I just wonder if it
would work in real life.