March 1999

While previous XFolder versions were "plain" freeware, all XFolder versions since V0.80 have been placed under the GNU General Public Licence (GPL) Version 2.

You can find the full text of the GPL in the plain-text file COPYING in the XFolder installation directory. I have added a formatted version of this on the next page of this document.

By installing XFolder on your system, you declare your agreement to the terms and conditions of the GNU General Public Licence, Version 2, as contained in the file COPYING in the XFolder installation directory.

The GPL means more Legalese, but also more rights for you as a user and, if applicable, developer. The most obvious change is that XFolder's source code is now also released.

The following brief explanations are intended as an introduction to the terms and conditions of the GPL only. They are not part of the licence agreement, for which only the terms and conditions in the COPYING file shall prevail.

- If you are an XFolder user, not much has changed. You may still use XFolder without any payment to Ulrich M”ller. The GPL does not restrict you on this matter, because it only imposes restrictions on distribution and modification of software. However, there is still no warranty whatsoever. If XFolder ruins your system and your work of the last 30 years is lost, sorry. (This is not very probable though). Refer to the bottom of the GPL for the detailed disclaimer.
- If you're a distributor, you may still distribute the whole XFolder package. However, the GPL will probably require you to also distribute the complete XFolder source code, which is available in a separate package from the author's WWW homepage. Refer to the GPL for details.
- If you're a developer, you now have the source code, which you may use and modify. However, if you base your own software on XFolder's source code, the GPL will most probably require you to place your work under the GPL also. This means that you cannot use my sources if you don't publish all your sources also.

  Even though I'm publishing the source code, I retain the copyright to what I've written.

  The GPL deals with these issues extensively. Before you use or modify any code parts of XFolder, make sure you read the GPL thoroughly. If your software is GPL'd also, by all means feel free to use my code. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.

This licence does not necessarily cover future releases. Ulrich M”ller retains the right to modify the licence agreement for future versions.

And now: have fun with XFolder!

(C) Copyright 1997-99 Ulrich M”ller.