[maemo-developers] [New Developer]: Questions - Python Packaging / Free or Non-Free / Software Licensing

[From: Sanjeev (EIPI)]

Thank you for the reply.  To clarify this particular situation a bit more... The API key is available only on a paid basis.  For some novel or new devices, a limited use (read: non-commercial) key is given to developers that apply for one.  So, a casual user is not able to obtain their own API key.  I have obtained one of these limited use keys for use in my application.

This is the reason why I was inquiring about how to protect the API key within the application.

Sanjeev
   
--
EIPI (Sanjeev)
Sent from my Nokia N900


----- Original message -----
> What people normally do in other projects I'm involved with is that they
> make the API key a configuration option and pass a sample API key.  That
> way, anyone who uses the application is required to get an API key for the
> application from the third party, and the developer does not have to worry
> about his key getting misused.  The instructions for installing the app then
> include details about how each user goes out and gets their own API key.
>
> By doing it this way, you don't have keep anything secret and you should be
> able to upload all the source into free.
>
> Personally, I've avoided the religious wars about different open source
> software licenses, and I'll leave that and other questions to people with
> stronger opinions on these topics.
>
> Aldon
> http://www.orient-lodge.com/N900
>
>    -----Original Message-----
>    From: maemo-developers-bounces at maemo.org
> [mailto:maemo-developers-bounces at maemo.org]On Behalf Of Sanjeev (EIPI)
>    Sent: Saturday, February 06, 2010 2:29 PM
>    To: maemo-developers at maemo.org
>    Subject: [New Developer]: Questions - Python Packaging / Free or Non-Free
> / Software Licensing
>
>
>    Hello,
>
>    I am developing a python/QT application for Fremantle.  This is my first
> application for Maemo, so I have been on a steep learning curve for the past
> 2 weeks for things related to the SDK, python, QT, etc.  I finally have it
> (mostly) working within scratchbox, and on the device, but it is not yet
> packaged.  I am using a proprietary API within the code which requires my
> personal credentials to be passed.  The credentials are in the form of a
> unique alpha-numeric string.  The company that has issued these credentials
> has asked that they are not to be made public.  I am able to use their API
> so long as I adhere to this and a few other restrictions that they have in
> place.  Some questions I now have:
>
>    1. I am researching how to package my python application for maemo.org
> Extras-devel.  Due to the restrictions placed on the API login credentials,
> I am unclear whether the app can use the 'free' distribution.  I am not at
> all worried about exposing the source code, but am not sure if that can be
> done without revealing the API credentials.  Is there any way to distribute
> my application in 'free', or does it have to be under 'non-free'?
>
>    2. If it is 'non-free', am I correct in my understanding that none of the
> source code gets uploaded to maemo.org?
>
>    3. I have seen both pypackager and py2deb being mentioned in the wiki
> articles on python packaging.  Which one should I use?  I understand that
> pypackager does not have a GUI for Fremantle yet - should I wait for that?
>
>    4. Do I use the Extras Assistant [1] after creating my package?  Does it
> allow for both free and non-free?
>
>    5. Software licensing - I know nothing about this.  What are my options
> for free and for non-free?  I understand that Mauku is non-free, and is
> therefore under copyright by its developer.
>
>    Sorry if any of this is very basic.  My interest in Maemo is now growing
> into the area of application development, and that is something that I do
> not do professionally.  In fact, I am very far from this area in my day job.
>
>    Many thanks,
>
>    Sanjeev
>
>    [1] https://garage.maemo.org/extras-assistant/index.php
>
>
>    --
>    EIPI
>    Mobile Tablets! Blog: http://mobiletablets.blogspot.com
>

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