Linked by David Adams on Mon 12th Jul 2010 15:52 UTC, submitted by Mark
OSNews, Generic OSes The non-profit NeoSmart Technologies has just released EasyBCD 2.0. The new version of the free bootloader utility supports ext4fs, GRUB2, Windows 7, booting from ISO images, Virtual Harddisk VHDs, network devices, and USBs. It also has tools to create bootable external media and can be used to set up 1-click dual-boots with the most popular operating sytems. Screenshots. And the icing on the cake is that the installer is 1337 KB, and they claim that was merely coincidence.
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RE: freeware but closed?
by AnythingButVista on Tue 13th Jul 2010 02:32 UTC in reply to "freeware but closed?"
AnythingButVista
Member since:
2008-08-27

So this is freeware AND by a non-profit, yet the source code is not open? Why?

First: Why not? Jeez, do you guys score a free meal in a restaurant and demand they give you the recipe? Do you win {InsertGadgetNameHere} in a contest and then demand the manufacturer to give you the blueprints? NeoSmart can charge money for EasyBCD, give away the source code or give the program for free but keep the source to themselves. It's their work and they are free to do whatever the heck they want with it.

Second: I can't remember anything EasyBCD can do that the Linux bootloaders can't already do. Yes, EasyBCD is, um, easier but other than ease of use I don't think Linux users are missing on that much.

Edited 2010-07-13 02:33 UTC

Reply Parent Score: 4

RE[2]: freeware but closed?
by vodoomoth on Wed 14th Jul 2010 16:32 in reply to "RE: freeware but closed?"
vodoomoth Member since:
2010-03-30

I second that. Moreover, your username resonates so well with me.

Freeware has never meant or implied open-source. The converse is true because once the code is out in the wild, I don't see how one can demand retribution for the work done.

Reply Parent Score: 1