FreeShare Client And Server - A Brief History

Last Updated : March 29, 2007


"FreeShare" finds its origin in the C++ coding work of Australian
programmer, Adam Hinkley, who in 1995 began writing the Hotline
protocol, and the AppWarrior classes, upon which both the Hotline
client and server are based. A teenager at the time, in the Fall of
1997, Hinkley made the strategic decision to move from Melbourne,
Australia to Canada, in order to enter into a business partnership
with certain individuals from that country; and thus was born Hotline
Communications, Ltd.

Eventually, certain differences developed between Hinkley and his
Hotline Communications business partners. Thus, dissatisfied with the
situation in Canada, Hinkley abruptly returned to Australia in 1998,
taking his code with him. A heated court battle then ensued, which
eventually resulted in Hinkley losing all rights to his code several
years later.

After Hinkley's departure, the company changed hands several times, as
various attempts were made, (some of them quite unpopular with end
users), to make the Hotline software a profitable business venture.
Hotline Communications, Ltd. became known as HotSprings, Inc. as the
new owners tried to turn a profit through the implementation of
banners in the client part of the software.

But it appears that Hotline was not destined to be a big money-maker.
Thus, in 2003, HotSprings, Inc., now known as OpenSprings, released
the Hotline code and modules as GNU General Public Licensed open
source software; meaning that any person was now free to modify and
further develop the program, or even to make entirely new derivatives
which were also based upon the original Hotline protocol.

Over the past four years, various programmers have taken up the
challenge to further improve upon the original Hotline source code.
One of these was a Frenchman who goes by the online name of
"GLoarb!!". He released his version of the Hotline software as the
open sourced "GLoarbLine".

It was at this point that WunderWerkz Software became involved with
the development of the Hotline protocol-based software. In addition to
heavily promoting "GLoarbLine", and creating a PR brochure called
"GLoarbLine Mini Read Me", we also developed a new Macintosh GUI,
(including splashscreen, many new icons, and some changes to the
source), and also began to make new builds for Macintosh users.

At the end of March, 2007, due to creative differences, and other
irreconcilable issues, we decided to terminate our affiliation with
the French programmer, and to continue to develop our own flavor of
the software, under a new name . . . "FreeShare". To avoid conflict
and confusion, we are also adjusting our version number to 1.0.0.

In short, "FreeShare" is built upon the original work done by Hinkley,
and the other parties named herein. All of these people have
contributed to making Hotline a better software suite over the years.
WunderWerkz Software hopes to continue in that tradition. As our time
and coding skills permit, we will endeavor to make additional
enhancements to the software; but as it is, "FreeShare" is already
a powerful client and server package!

Disclaimer : While WunderWerkz Software believes that the "FreeShare"
client and server software is safe for the use for which it is
intended, your decision to use this software implies that you accept
any risks which may incur as a result of that use. WunderWerkz
Software will not be held responsible for any damage to your computer
equipment, or for loss of data, as a result of misuse of this product.
To the best of our knowledge, this software is free of viruses,
trojans, adware, key loggers and other spyware which is so common in
the Windows world. Isn't it nice to own a Macintosh!? :)

Piracy : WunderWerkz Software does not condone the use of this
software for the purposes of software piracy, downloading commercial
music or movies, or for any other questionable or illegal activity.


WunderWerkz Software
http://www.endtimeprophecy.org/WunderWerkz/