Winamp releases source code, asks for help modernizing the player (www.bleepingcomputer.com)

submitted 8 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Yesterday, the Winamp source code, build tools, and associated libraries for the Windows app were published on GitHub, allowing anyone to provide bug fixes and new features to the iconic media player.

However, its license prohibits the distribution of modified software created through the release of this source code.

https://github.com/WinampDesktop/winamp

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[+] [email protected] 35 points 8 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

[deleted]

[-] [email protected] 12 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

yes, that license is unfortunate... i am not a license expert, but "private use only" modifications is sad to me. i mean, the difference with the GPL is just that contribs need to be upstreamed, right? that seems like a better balance, if so?

[-] [email protected] 16 points 8 months ago

the GPL does not require upstreaming. it would allow for anyone to redistribute Winamp with whatever modifications they like, provided they publish their source code under the GPL. the license Winamp is using is not even an open-source license since it explicitly forbids public redistribution. dumb move, they should have just used MIT or GPL and retained rights to the logo or something

[-] [email protected] 5 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

thank you, good post. I was going to make a sassy comment about Winamp being "source-available" (derogatory) but it's helpful to have you explain this instead, appreciate it. (I am a software dev, but I struggle with licenses etc.)

[-] [email protected] 6 points 8 months ago

Just make a repo containing only changes, no original source, with instructions anyone can use to create their own version with community changes applied?

[-] [email protected] 28 points 8 months ago

This is not open source. In open source people contribute to the project and in return the code belongs to anyone who likes to take it and work on it. Here they are asking for contribution while fully owning the code. It's basically free labor

[-] [email protected] 22 points 8 months ago

asks for community help

blob-no

[-] [email protected] 8 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

yeah the time to do this was like 15 years ago. I think most people with the knowledge to help have probably moved on to other players.

[-] [email protected] 6 points 8 months ago

I think there'd still be enough people nostalgic about it to make a LinAmp out of the code, but only if it was under a real open source license.

[-] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago

What's a good alternative? I used to love playing around with winamp lol

[-] [email protected] 6 points 8 months ago

Even to this day I still use Foobar2000. Even with Linux through WINE.

No, it's not open source, but it's trim and does the job better than other players.

[-] [email protected] 4 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

Yeah same here, since forever. Other players are a lot more flashy and appealing to the eye but I haven't found any that make manual library management etc. as easy as foobar2000 does, and Columns UI makes it look modern enough for me. Only on Windows though, the macOS and Android ports are pretty rough...

[-] [email protected] 14 points 8 months ago

🦙

[-] [email protected] 10 points 8 months ago

Fuck you, pay me (in free licence or money)

[-] [email protected] 10 points 8 months ago

I'm so happy

[-] [email protected] 7 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

Why this when WACUP exists already?

E: Just discovered WACUP is only partially open source? Damb that sucks. Hope this release could help WACUP but seems unlikely. Maybe it would help them understand the core they'e working with better?

Also the people who used DirectX for a media player.........

[-] [email protected] 5 points 8 months ago

lets-fucking-go

this post was submitted on 25 Sep 2024

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