| Scalix open-sources Linux email server |
Jul. 26, 2006
It has always a bit ironic that Scalix Corp.'s well-regarded Linux email, calendaring, and integration server was not itself open-source. On July 26th, the company changed its tune, announcing that it would be turning its popular Scalix Community Edition free software product into an open-source project.
Specifically, the company is releasing its Scalix Community Edition Open Source. This will consist of the Scalix Server, a new web services API (application programming interface) platform for application integration, the Scalix Installer, the Scalix Administration Console, Scalix Web Access Mobile, and new search and indexing services, as well as other Scalix Ready open-source components.
The open-source code will be based on Scalix's upcoming major release of its commercial enterprise product family. This set of programs is scheduled to go into a beta test in August 2006. The code will be released in phases through March 2007.
Some of the code that is due to be opened comes from Hewlett-Packard's OpenMail technology. HP has joined with Scalix to open-source this code.
By the end of August, and following the release of the community preview, Scalix will launch a new open-source community website featuring the Scalix Community Forum, a public bug-tracking system, an extended documentation wiki, and a blog.
Scalix is already offering the source code for the Novell Evolution client connector under a GPL-based license. The company's Outlook MAPI (Messaging Application Programming Interface) connector will remain closed source. However, Scalix will enable this Microsoft-standard based connector to interoperate with the open-source server components. Scalix will also provide a free upgrade path to current Community Edition users.
Afterwards, the company will start making its component source code, localization kits, technical documentation, and updated binaries available in September. The first move will be the source code release of a Web services platform for administration infrastructure, data access and application integration, the Scalix Web Access mobile client for wireless devices, the new search and indexing service, and the Scalix installer. The source code of the underlying Scalix mail and directory server will be released in the first quarter of 2007.
"We're turning Community Edition into our first large-scale open source project and will add all the usual tools such as a public code repository, a bug-tracking system and more feedback channels," stated Florian von Kurnatowski, Scalix's newly appointed director of open-source programs.
"We recognize that taking a closed system and making it open source is a tough challenge. It will take code cleanup and other preparations which will take time to accomplish. However, we are committed to making Scalix available to the open source community and we're well underway in our efforts," von Kurnatowski continued.
When the code finally is released, Scalix will use a dual licensing model. The company will use its own MPL (Mozilla Public License) variation named Scalix Public License (SPL).
This has become a popular approach for companies releasing code. Sun, for example, uses an MPL-style license in its CDDL (Common Development and Distribution License).
This license allows the use of third-party code not licensed under MPL and also permits the co-existence with commercial code components. There will also be a commercial license for the Scalix enterprise product as well as a mechanism for community contributions.
The email company is also going to be encouraging other open-source businesses and organizations to work with its newly open-sourced programs. In particular, Scalix mentions leading Linux desktop client providers (e.g. Mozilla, KDE, GNOME), communications ecosystems (e.g. Funambol, Asterisk, Jabber Software Foundation, HylaFAX), collaboration (e.g. Alfresco), business applications (e.g. SugarCRM, Compiere), and systems management solutions (e.g. Hyperic, GroundWork Open Source), as potential partners.
"We've been talking to other communities for a long time," added von Kurnatowski. "Being a true open source player will enable us to deepen some of those relationships, to the benefit of developers, community users and commercial customers alike."
-- Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols
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