jScompass Will Return

Original Post: May 21, 2011

I am pleased to announce that I do intend to return jScompass to There.com and will strive to do so as quickly as possible after the opening of There in the next few months.

I will have much more to say about this as things become more certain, but here are my thoughts at this time:

• I intend on launching jScompass as soon as possible after There reopens.  Unlike other compass replacements, jScompass uses server-side support for much of its more advanced features.  These systems require testing before I can release a new jScompass.  However, I intend on bringing those systems online in phases and therefore expect to release a new jScompass within just a few days after There reopens, and probably a few more quickly behind that to bring additional functionality online.
• jScompass will not have any forced ads, at least at launch.  If I do ever return ad functionality to jScompass, everyone who paid in the past will continue to have their paid status.  In the future, I may have a way to support jScompass through the There developer/designer program.  However, for now, if you want to support the compass and its server needs, please use PayPal instead.  There is a link on this page.  I do work a job now, but certainly appreciate any support toward defraying the hosting costs.
• If there is interest from capable scripters, I intend on eventually releasing much of jScompass as an open-source variant (working title “OScompass”) under some version of the GNU GPL.  This will take some time, as parts of jScompass are components that were created by other authors, which they distributed openly but under license agreements that may not be compatible with the GPL.  Therefore, I will need to either obtain permission to distribute those components under the GPL, or I have to find or create an alternative to those components.  In addition, I will always maintain control over code that runs on any jscompass.org server, though I may release much of it.  In fact, I may end up releasing jScompass with enhanced features along with supporting “OScompass” for some time (think “Google Chrome” vs “Chromium”).  However, any open-source release is not in the immediate future.  But it will happen eventually.

However, as everyone knows: the unexpected can and does happen.  So here’s the “X-factors”:

• If There.com’s TOS has been changed so that it now prohibits compass replacements, I will not violate it to bring jScompass to you.
• Unlike before, I work a real-life job now, so progress will be slower than it was in the past.  My real-life job is now, and will remain, my top priority.  I do intend to spend some relatively heavy initial effort to bring everything back online as quickly as possible, however.
• Until I release jScompass as open-source, it is not open-source, so please do not ask for the code at this time.  As indicated above, a number of things need to happen first.  Thank you for your understanding.

Keep an eye on this post, as I will edit it as things evolve.  In addition, please join the jScompass group on Facebook at http://facebook.com/jscompass.  I will make sure that group always has the latest information.

Finally, it goes without saying that jScompass is not endorsed, recommended, or sponsored by Makena Technologies or There.com.

Have a great weekend and see you soon in There!

‘Wave,
jerseySteve87