DBan & WinImage

[asjones]

I am curious and confused by Dban's use of WinImage.

Dban is a free open source GPLed app. From what I can tell WinImage is a closed source sharware app that runs betwen $30/$60 (standard/pro).

It looks like Dban just switched to using WinImage in 1.0.6. What was the advantage of using Winimage vs previuos methods? Why the switch?


How is this licensed to use WinImage in the open source product?

Does this mean others that would want to compile Dban need to buy WinImage?

Just curious about the whole related process here.

thanks

Alan

 

[dajhorn]

What was the advantage of using Winimage vs previuos methods? Why the switch?

WinImage reduced my install-related support load by approximately 90% because, in part:

• It does media verification.
• WinImage is blocked by fewer anti-virus programs.
• It runs properly under Windows NT 4.0, whereas rawrite does not.
• The white-on-black console frightens and upsets people.

The user experience is altogether better with WinImage.

How is this licensed to use WinImage in the open source product?

I have a license to redistribute WinImage.

Does this mean others that would want to compile Dban need to buy WinImage?

No. The build script still produces the floppy image.

DBAN needs a better installation program that makes floppies, burns CD-R media, configures USB flash devices, and does local disk installations (all from a single EXE package).

I can do this, but I decided that my time should go into core product features and primary user support. Secondary enhancements will not happen until they get sponsorship.