Edit detail for Free Aldor revision 1 of 6

changed:
-
  Axiom is a sophisticated computer algebra system originally developed
as an IBM research project.  IBM sold Axiom to the Numerical
Algorithms Group (NAG) who marketed it and continued its development.
After NAG discontinued Axiom as a commercial product they generously
released part of the Axiom source code under a free license.  Axiom is
now very usable and is currently being actively developed by an
enthusiastic community. It is expected to be useful in research and
education for quite some time.

  The language used for writing Axiom libraries is called SPAD (short
for Scratchpad, the original name of Axiom).  While Axiom was still
being developed by IBM, an improved language, Aldor, was created for
writing Axiom libraries.  While the Aldor compiler was originally part
of the Axiom system, it became a separate project when NAG
discontinued the sale of Axiom as a commercial product.  The Aldor
compiler was not part of Axiom when the Axiom sources were relicensed,
and so is not currently included with Axiom.

  Binaries for Aldor have been made freely available and the sources are
available under a generous license.  However, the license does not
qualify as a free or open source license.  While Axiom can still make
use of Aldor as a library compiler (on those platforms where a
suitable binary version is available), the lack of a free license for
Aldor prohibits it from being a standard part of the Axiom open source
distribution, and so nothing in the base Axiom system can depend on
Aldor.

  A free license for Aldor would allow it to become a standard part of
Axiom, which would improve Axiom and make Aldor a more widespread
language.  A free license available as soon as possible would allow
current development on Axiom to use Aldor.
 
  We, the undersigned, respectfully request that the Aldor compiler be
released under a free license at the earliest opportunity.
 
  Sincerely,

(The undersigned as noted in comments below.)

NB. Please click 'preferences' to set your name and email address
before leaving a comment.

From BillPage Thu Jan 19 17:12:43 -0600 2006
From: Bill Page
Date: Thu, 19 Jan 2006 17:12:43 -0600
Subject: Aldor is important for Axiom!
Message-ID: <20060119171243-0600@wiki.axiom-developer.org>

Bill Page.

From unknown Thu Jan 19 18:38:24 -0600 2006
From: unknown
Date: Thu, 19 Jan 2006 18:38:24 -0600
Subject: Seconded - the work involved in re-inventing the Aldor wheel would
	slow Axiom considerably
Message-ID: <20060119183824-0600@wiki.axiom-developer.org>

Cliff Yapp

From belanger Fri Jan 20 17:48:06 -0600 2006
From: belanger
Date: Fri, 20 Jan 2006 17:48:06 -0600
Subject: An Aldor compiler in Axiom would be a big benefit to Axiom.
Message-ID: <20060120174806-0600@wiki.axiom-developer.org>

Jay Belanger


From kratt6 Sun Jan 22 07:19:25 -0600 2006
From: kratt6
Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2006 07:19:25 -0600
Subject: 
Message-ID: <20060122071925-0600@wiki.axiom-developer.org>

Martin Rubey

From unknown Sun Jan 22 10:34:13 -0600 2006
From: unknown
Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2006 10:34:13 -0600
Subject: 
Message-ID: <20060122103413-0600@wiki.axiom-developer.org>

Aldor would also benefit from a wider user community

Andrey Grozin

From TimDaly Sun Jan 22 13:28:41 -0600 2006
From: Tim Daly
Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2006 13:28:41 -0600
Subject: Aldor and Axiom communities need to cooperate
Message-ID: <20060122132841-0600@wiki.axiom-developer.org>

The Aldor and Axiom communities need to cooperate.
The current license restrictions on Aldor make
this cooperation extremely difficult. There is
a limited community of people who use these 
systems and we must make an effort to deliver
our software in a way that makes it effective,
simple, and synergistic. Opening the Aldor sources
will allow people to use and improve the systems
as the need arises.  -- Tim Daly

From unknown Sun Jan 22 13:30:51 -0600 2006
From: unknown
Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2006 13:30:51 -0600
Subject: 
Message-ID: <20060122133051-0600@wiki.axiom-developer.org>

Bob !McElrath

From GabrielDosReis Sun Jan 22 20:17:05 -0600 2006
From: Gabriel Dos Reis
Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2006 20:17:05 -0600
Subject: [FreeAldor]
Message-ID: <878xt7vg84.fsf@soliton.cs.tamu.edu>
In-Reply-To: <20060122200341-0600@wiki.axiom-developer.org>

Opening the Aldor source codes would greatly benefit to both Axiom and Aldor community.

-- Gaby


From unknown Wed Jan 25 16:40:39 -0600 2006
From: unknown
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2006 16:40:39 -0600
Subject: An integrated Axiom with a free Aldor would be great
Message-ID: <20060125164039-0600@wiki.axiom-developer.org>

Having Axiom packaged with aldor for various linux distributions would make it easy to install and use them. 
 -- B Thomas

From greg Wed Jan 25 18:39:43 -0600 2006
From: greg
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2006 18:39:43 -0600
Subject: 
Message-ID: <20060125183943-0600@wiki.axiom-developer.org>

Grégory Vanuxem

From unknown Wed Jan 25 20:29:10 -0600 2006
From: unknown
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2006 20:29:10 -0600
Subject: The aldor language source would be very educational.
Message-ID: <20060125202910-0600@wiki.axiom-developer.org>

It would be very educational to discover what was changed from Spad to Aldor, and why that makes Aldor a better language... (assuming that it is).  The source to language implementations is very important to the future of the art and science of computer programming.  It would be very gracious of you to release it to everyone, as part of the Axiom system.

Karl Hegbloom <hegbloom@pdx.edu>


From StephenWatt Thu Jan 26 09:15:00 -0600 2006
From: Stephen Watt
Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2006 09:15:00 -0600
Subject: Freeing Aldor
Message-ID: <20060126091500-0600@wiki.axiom-developer.org>

Thank you to Bill Page for bringing this web site to my attention.

I am supportive of this movement, and have started discussions to move in this direction.

Stephen Watt

From unknown Thu Jan 26 09:29:12 -0600 2006
From: unknown
Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2006 09:29:12 -0600
Subject: Active Aldor community
Message-ID: <20060126092912-0600@wiki.axiom-developer.org>

Having Aldor being a vibrant language would be wonderful.  Right now, I find myself in the position where I do my math hacking in Maple, but my 'formal' mathematical programming in either MetaOCaml or Haskell, because those languages are much more vibrant than Aldor (and they are typed!).  If 'freeing' Aldor would allow it to thrive, then by all means, free it!

Jacques Carette

From alfredo Thu Jan 26 12:19:06 -0600 2006
From: alfredo
Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2006 12:19:06 -0600
Subject: 
Message-ID: <20060126121906-0600@wiki.axiom-developer.org>

Jose Alfredo Perez

From unknown Wed Feb 1 13:49:46 -0600 2006
From: unknown
Date: Wed, 01 Feb 2006 13:49:46 -0600
Subject: 
Message-ID: <20060201134946-0600@wiki.axiom-developer.org>

Juan Gea Rosat

From unknown Thu Feb 2 00:53:19 -0600 2006
From: unknown
Date: Thu, 02 Feb 2006 00:53:19 -0600
Subject: 
Message-ID: <20060202005319-0600@wiki.axiom-developer.org>
In-Reply-To: <20060119171243-0600@wiki.axiom-developer.org>

Igor Durdanovic

From unknown Thu Feb 2 04:41:38 -0600 2006
From: unknown
Date: Thu, 02 Feb 2006 04:41:38 -0600
Subject: 
Message-ID: <20060202044138-0600@wiki.axiom-developer.org>

'Alvaro Tejero Cantero


From unknown Fri Feb 3 04:17:00 -0600 2006
From: unknown
Date: Fri, 03 Feb 2006 04:17:00 -0600
Subject: 
Message-ID: <20060203041700-0600@wiki.axiom-developer.org>

It would be a great shame if Aldor were to fade into obscurity. It still has much to offer to the education and research communities, but the clock is ticking and unless it is adopted soon it will be superceded by something with similar functionality but quite possibly a weaker fundamental design. 

Tom Ashby

From PeterBroadbery Fri Feb 3 06:09:43 -0600 2006
From: PeterBroadbery
Date: Fri, 03 Feb 2006 06:09:43 -0600
Subject: 
Message-ID: <20060203060943-0600@wiki.axiom-developer.org>


source would help greatly, and especially under a non-restrictive licence.

Peter Broadbery


From unknown Sun Feb 5 12:07:54 -0600 2006
From: unknown
Date: Sun, 05 Feb 2006 12:07:54 -0600
Subject: 
Message-ID: <20060205120754-0600@wiki.axiom-developer.org>

Varun

From RalfHemmecke Mon Feb 6 05:43:22 -0600 2006
From: Ralf Hemmecke
Date: Mon, 06 Feb 2006 05:43:22 -0600
Subject: ...
Message-ID: <20060206054322-0600@wiki.axiom-developer.org>

Aldor is a great language.
Making the sources of the compiler available would greatly help in order to attract more developers and to make the compiler more robust.

Ralf Hemmecke

From unknown Sun Feb 19 13:05:02 -0600 2006
From: unknown
Date: Sun, 19 Feb 2006 13:05:02 -0600
Subject: 
Message-ID: <20060219130502-0600@wiki.axiom-developer.org>

Nikolay Ivanov

From wyscc Sun Feb 26 07:39:18 -0600 2006
From: wyscc
Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 07:39:18 -0600
Subject: 
Message-ID: <20060226073918-0600@wiki.axiom-developer.org>

Axiom basically stayed stagnant for many years and it took a tremendous effort (due to Tim Daly, Bill Page, Camm Maquire and others) to bring it back to life. If Aldor does not become free, it may suffer the same fate. Both Axiom and Aldor have their own strengths and weaknesses. Combined, they can become a most powerful system. There are so few experts in Aldor and Axiom. It is high time to involve a younger generation before it is too late.

William Sit 

From unknown Fri Mar 10 14:29:51 -0600 2006
From: unknown
Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2006 14:29:51 -0600
Subject: 
Message-ID: <20060310142951-0600@wiki.axiom-developer.org>

Please consider making aldor available under a more flexible license - for the good of the community.

Stephen Eglen


From unknown Mon Mar 20 14:12:48 -0600 2006
From: unknown
Date: Mon, 20 Mar 2006 14:12:48 -0600
Subject: 
Message-ID: <20060320141248-0600@wiki.axiom-developer.org>

Free Aldor!

Henry Lenzi

From unknown Thu Mar 23 07:20:59 -0600 2006
From: unknown
Date: Thu, 23 Mar 2006 07:20:59 -0600
Subject: I want to sign this petition to NAG.
Message-ID: <20060323072059-0600@wiki.axiom-developer.org>

If NAG has released Axiom under free license, an plus enforce could be a great beneficious for the  Open Source - Free Community (for all). Please, consider free Aldor under a more flexible license. Thanks.

Julián Calderón Almendros.
jcalderon@uma.es

From FrancoisMaltey Mon Mar 27 11:12:27 -0600 2006
From: Francois Maltey
Date: Mon, 27 Mar 2006 11:12:27 -0600
Subject: Free Aldor
Message-ID: <20060327111227-0600@wiki.axiom-developer.org>

+1 from France

From SergeyMechveliani Tue Apr 4 06:16:56 -0500 2006
From: Sergey Mechveliani
Date: Tue, 04 Apr 2006 06:16:56 -0500
Subject: Please, make Aldor open-source and free! 
Message-ID: <20060404061656-0500@wiki.axiom-developer.org>

Please, make Aldor open-source and free! 

Generally, any non-open-source tool for scientific computation is a nonsense.
One cannot build a reliable system basing on any non-open-source tool.

-----------------------
Dr. Sergey Mechveliani,
senior researcher, 
Pereslavl-Zalessky, Russia,  http://www.botik.ru/~mechvel

From tmgisi Thu Apr 6 00:39:47 -0500 2006
From: tmgisi
Date: Thu, 06 Apr 2006 00:39:47 -0500
Subject: Free Aldor
Message-ID: <20060406003947-0500@wiki.axiom-developer.org>

Aldor is free (as in beer), but I would like to see Aldor free (as in freedom).

Christian Aistleitner

From NielsLubbes Thu Apr 13 10:47:59 -0500 2006
From: Niels Lubbes
Date: Thu, 13 Apr 2006 10:47:59 -0500
Subject: Aldor opensource
Message-ID: <20060413104759-0500@wiki.axiom-developer.org>

Count me in! If Aldor becomes opensource then Axiom/Aldor will definitely be of great interest to the scientific community.

Niels Lubbes

From znmeb Mon Apr 17 01:46:23 -0500 2006
From: znmeb
Date: Mon, 17 Apr 2006 01:46:23 -0500
Subject: Yes! Open Up Aldor!
Message-ID: <20060417014623-0500@wiki.axiom-developer.org>

Another vote to free Aldor!

From unknown Mon Apr 17 12:53:07 -0500 2006
From: unknown
Date: Mon, 17 Apr 2006 12:53:07 -0500
Subject: 
Message-ID: <20060417125307-0500@wiki.axiom-developer.org>

Gabriel Gellner

From unknown Sat Apr 29 00:01:02 -0500 2006
From: unknown
Date: Sat, 29 Apr 2006 00:01:02 -0500
Subject: I think this is a very good idea.
Message-ID: <20060429000102-0500@wiki.axiom-developer.org>

Good luck making it happen.

Bob Sutor

From unknown Tue May 2 22:20:29 -0500 2006
From: unknown
Date: Tue, 02 May 2006 22:20:29 -0500
Subject: Aldor must be opensource
Message-ID: <20060502222029-0500@wiki.axiom-developer.org>

Russian student :)

From unknown Tue May 9 03:40:12 -0500 2006
From: unknown
Date: Tue, 09 May 2006 03:40:12 -0500
Subject: Open source Aldor allows porting to Windows
Message-ID: <20060509034012-0500@wiki.axiom-developer.org>

Currently no Aldor compiler is available for Windows. Open sourcing Aldor would allow a decent port.
The importance of a Windows port for widespread use of Axiom+Aldor hardly needs to be argumented.

From RichardB.Kreckel Wed May 10 07:13:56 -0500 2006
From: Richard B. Kreckel
Date: Wed, 10 May 2006 07:13:56 -0500
Subject: Please...
Message-ID: <20060510071356-0500@wiki.axiom-developer.org>

...open sourcing Aldor would be a gain for CS education.

-richy.


From unknown Sun May 14 18:25:57 -0500 2006
From: unknown
Date: Sun, 14 May 2006 18:25:57 -0500
Subject: Hope you will allow Aldor to be used
Message-ID: <20060514182557-0500@wiki.axiom-developer.org>

Ralph Gardner

From unknown Tue May 30 05:16:09 -0500 2006
From: unknown
Date: Tue, 30 May 2006 05:16:09 -0500
Subject: FreeAldor
Message-ID: <20060530051609-0500@wiki.axiom-developer.org>

Aldor compiler does not support amd64 architecture ATM. We are interested in porting it, but unfortunately the sources are not available. Wish Aldor were open source!

From unknown Tue May 30 12:25:19 -0500 2006
From: unknown
Date: Tue, 30 May 2006 12:25:19 -0500
Subject: OpenAldor for OpenAxiom
Message-ID: <20060530122519-0500@wiki.axiom-developer.org>

G. Hueber

From marie Sat Jun 3 13:19:45 -0500 2006
From: marie
Date: Sat, 03 Jun 2006 13:19:45 -0500
Subject: 
Message-ID: <20060603131945-0500@wiki.axiom-developer.org>
In-Reply-To: <20060530122519-0500@wiki.axiom-developer.org>

Free Aldor!

Marie Kokotchikova.

People Friendship University of Russia.

 

From unknown Tue Jun 6 18:25:34 -0500 2006
From: unknown
Date: Tue, 06 Jun 2006 18:25:34 -0500
Subject: Free software enriches the world
Message-ID: <20060606182534-0500@wiki.axiom-developer.org>

Free software is a real contribution to humanity.

From unknown Wed Jun 7 10:03:05 -0500 2006
From: unknown
Date: Wed, 07 Jun 2006 10:03:05 -0500
Subject: it is important to free Aldor
Message-ID: <20060607100305-0500@wiki.axiom-developer.org>

Aldor is an important piece of software that will allow developers from around the world to work on an industrial-strength computer algebra system together.
Since it is not distributed commercially any more, it makes sense to release it under a free software license. Please make Aldor free!

Sergei Winitzki, contributing developer of YACAS

From keady Sun Jun 11 23:42:37 -0500 2006
From: keady
Date: Sun, 11 Jun 2006 23:42:37 -0500
Subject: Freeing Aldor
Message-ID: <20060611234237-0500@wiki.axiom-developer.org>

"Good luck making it happen."

From melzgemz Thu Jun 29 04:47:47 -0500 2006
From: melzgemz
Date: Thu, 29 Jun 2006 04:47:47 -0500
Subject: free Aldor
Message-ID: <20060629044747-0500@wiki.axiom-developer.org>

i guess i don't understand why anyone would knowingly allow restrictions in progress and development...?                          I hope this happens, if it hasn't already.

From unknown Wed Jul 5 23:55:15 -0500 2006
From: unknown
Date: Wed, 05 Jul 2006 23:55:15 -0500
Subject: Aldor is much better to spent time on than SPAD
Message-ID: <20060705235515-0500@wiki.axiom-developer.org>

Investing time on learning a computer language should be a well thought decision.;no one would like to learn a  obscure language or a language that is under tight control of a single authority and would disappear someday. 
I have (and guess many) have deferred learning to use axiom until I have correct information on the status of aldor. Although there are many statements that aldor is to be freed we do not see it happenning.

Navendu Tripathi

From unknown Fri Jul 28 19:17:45 -0500 2006
From: unknown
Date: Fri, 28 Jul 2006 19:17:45 -0500
Subject: aldor and axiom
Message-ID: <20060728191745-0500@wiki.axiom-developer.org>

Aldor was intended early on as the extension language for axiom.  It would be best if aldor and axiom had the same license, so axiom can complete its conversion to the aldor language without roadblocks.

From unknown Sat Jul 29 09:16:21 -0500 2006
From: unknown
Date: Sat, 29 Jul 2006 09:16:21 -0500
Subject: Free Aldor.
Message-ID: <20060729091621-0500@wiki.axiom-developer.org>

Aldor, as a commercial commercial business, is unlikely to became 
a success. On the contrary, if released as free SW, it will surely 
help developers, researchers and businessmen to improve scientific
research and start many more succesful business.
Dan

From MartinRemisch Mon Aug 28 08:37:07 -0500 2006
From: Martin Remisch
Date: Mon, 28 Aug 2006 08:37:07 -0500
Subject: aldor and axiom
Message-ID: <20060828083707-0500@wiki.axiom-developer.org>

Scientific research should not be hindered by commercial interests. So, free aldor!

Martin Remisch

From wojtek Sun Sep 10 19:47:59 -0500 2006
From: wojtek
Date: Sun, 10 Sep 2006 19:47:59 -0500
Subject: free Aldor, please
Message-ID: <20060910194759-0500@wiki.axiom-developer.org>

Aldor is so cool, please don't let it linger on the harddrives of obscurity.

From andrnils Sat Oct 7 11:53:12 -0500 2006
From: andrnils
Date: Sat, 07 Oct 2006 11:53:12 -0500
Subject: Free Aldor
Message-ID: <20061007115312-0500@wiki.axiom-developer.org>

On the alter of science commerical interest shall be offered

From nigelshea Sat Oct 21 00:59:38 -0500 2006
From: nigelshea
Date: Sat, 21 Oct 2006 00:59:38 -0500
Subject: Free ALDOR for Axiom
Message-ID: <20061021005938-0500@wiki.axiom-developer.org>



From gregorycj Wed Oct 25 13:13:58 -0500 2006
From: gregory cj
Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2006 13:13:58 -0500
Subject: Free it and reap the rewards ...
Message-ID: <20061025131358-0500@wiki.axiom-developer.org>

Wake up and do the right thing NAG - for yourself if not for us ... The clock is indeed ticking for Aldor and NAG's upside for owning a great but obscure language is 0. Why not free the source and reap the benefits in terms of image of being the instigator of a widely popular scientific computing language, the same way IBM's image was enhanced thanks to Eclipse?


From dnordquest Sun Jan 21 10:42:48 -0600 2007
From: dnordquest
Date: Sun, 21 Jan 2007 10:42:48 -0600
Subject: Marrying Aldor & Axiom 
Message-ID: <20070121104248-0600@wiki.axiom-developer.org>

Without a common license, Aldor and Axiom may cohabit, but they can't be properly joined. 

From tmgisi Sat Jan 27 14:34:38 -0600 2007
From: tmgisi
Date: Sat, 27 Jan 2007 14:34:38 -0600
Subject: Revoking signature
Message-ID: <20070127143438-0600@wiki.axiom-developer.org>

I hereby revoke my signature from this petition.

Christian Aistleitner

From Andrei Thu Mar 1 07:09:12 -0600 2007
From: Andrei
Date: Thu, 01 Mar 2007 07:09:12 -0600
Subject: We need it. Please make it free!
Message-ID: <20070301070912-0600@wiki.axiom-developer.org>

There are many developers willing to work on Aldor. The only thing needed is making it free. Please do it and not let Aldor vanish in oblivion.

From jhnbk Fri Jun 8 03:47:45 -0500 2007
From: jhnbk
Date: Fri, 08 Jun 2007 03:47:45 -0500
Subject: make it free
Message-ID: <20070608034745-0500@wiki.axiom-developer.org>

Get it free please, it would be a great support for the axiom project

From CesarRabak Wed Jul 18 17:05:31 -0500 2007
From: Cesar Rabak
Date: Wed, 18 Jul 2007 17:05:31 -0500
Subject: Please let it be free
Message-ID: <20070718170531-0500@wiki.axiom-developer.org>

Let the community spring it. Don't let this piece be lost.

From BillPage Mon Jul 30 23:43:17 -0500 2007
From: Bill Page
Date: Mon, 30 Jul 2007 23:43:17 -0500
Subject: open source release planned for August 31
Message-ID: <20070730234317-0500@wiki.axiom-developer.org>

*The following announcement was distributed at the registration for
ISSAC 2007 conference on July 29, 2007. It is repeated here with the
permission of the author: Stephen Watt.*

Aldor

  Aldor is a programming language with an expressive type system
well-suited for mathematical computing and which has been used to
develop a number of computer algebra libraries. It was originally
conceived as an extension language for the Axiom computer algebra
system.

In Aldor, types and functions are first class values that can be
constructed and manipulated within programs. Pervasive support for
dependent types allows static checking of dynamic objects. What does
this mean for a normal user? Aldor solves many difficulties
encountered in widely-used object-oriented programming languages.  It
allows programs to use a natural style, combining the more attractive
and powerful properties of functional, object-oriented and
aspect-oriented styles.

Version 1.1 Source Release

  Version 1.1 of Aldor is planned for public release in source and
binary forms on Friday 31 August 2007. Distribution will be from
Aldor.org under the Aldor Public License 2.0, which allows free
non-commercial use, modification and re-distribution of Aldor
software. Applications requiring other licensing terms should contact
proposals@aldor.org.

Workshop 2007

  The 2007 Aldor Workshop will be help 20-31 August in London Canada,
hosted by the Ontario Research Centre for Computer Algebra at the
University of Western Ontario This continues the tradition of earlier
meetings help in the Orkney Islands (Scotland), London (Canada), Lille
(France) and Santander (Spain).

The format of this workshop is as an extended meeting, with time for
presentations, discussions, and on-site collaboration with colleagues.
Participants will include users and developers of Aldor. Those
interested in the workshop should send E-mail to
workshop2007@aldor.org, indicating the desired dates to attend. There
is no cost to register. Partial travel support may be available on a
case-by-case basis,

http://www.aldor.org