On Thu, Jul 18, 2013 at 08:04:58AM -0400, Elizabeth Williams wrote:
Hey guys!
For some time I use PSPP because its features are enough for what I need,
so I sidelined SPSS, leaving your license expire.
However, I made an inquiry to technical support regarding the use of SAV
files in other software such as PSPP and have told me is technically
illegal. That saved using SPSS SAV files or exported by another program,
are
for the use of SPSS.
Is that really so?
When somebody makes an extraordinary statement like that, I think the onus is on
them to bring extraordinary evidence. If they can say which section or which
law in which juristiction would make it illegal, then I would be very interested
to know.
PSPP has been able to import/export SAV files for at least 15 years. If it were
true that using it like this was illegal, then the Free Software Foundation, by
developing and distributing PSPP would also be acting illegally. IBM (and
their
predecessor SPSS Inc) are most certainly aware of PSPP but to my knowledge the
FSF lawyers have never received a complaint.
For this reason, it is my opinion that whoever told you this was talking
nonsense.
Is it possible that in the future PSPP manages an own file type?
It could be the style of the OpenDocument or OpenRaster projects. I do not
think breaking the current compatibility with SPSS, but confidence could
leave users like me, keeping your data in opensource software.
It might even have its own features, such as save comments, graphics and
results ;).
It is possible, but I don't think it is planned at the moment.
--
PGP Public key ID: 1024D/2DE827B3
fingerprint = 8797 A26D 0854 2EAB 0285 A290 8A67 719C 2DE8 27B3
See http://keys.gnupg.net or any PGP keyserver for public key.
signature.asc
Description: Digital signature
_______________________________________________ Pspp-users mailing list Pspp-users@gnu.org https://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/pspp-users
