**This commit removes Base64 (and Flash) support**
This commit converts websock.js to used Typed Arrays for the
receive queue (and tweaks rfb.js to ensure that it continues
to function, since only Firefox implements
`%TypedArray%.prototype.slice`). Base64 support was removed
to simplify code paths, and pave the way for using Typed Arrays
for the send queue as well.
This provides two advantages: first, we allocate a buffer ahead
of time, meaning the browser doesn't have to do any work dynamically
increasing the receive queue size. Secondly, we are now able to pass
around Typed Array Views (e.g. `Uint8Array`), which are lightweight, and
don't involve copying.
The downside is that we initially allocate more memory -- we currently
start out with 4 MiB, and then automatically double when it looks like
the amount unused is getting to small.
The commit also explicitly adds a check to the compacting logic that
avoids calling the copy functions if `_rQlen === _rQi`.
Data files should now set the variable VNC_frame_encoding to either
"binary" or "base64". The python websockify recording mode adds this
automatically based on what is negotiated with the client being
recorded.
The MPL 2.0 license is a "file-level" copyleft license vs the
"project-level" nature of the L/GPL. The intention of noVNC has
always been that it should be easy to incorporate into existing
projects and sites whether free/open or proprietary/commercial. The MPL
2.0 is designed for this sort of combination project but still
requires that any distributed modifications to noVNC source files must
also be published under the same license.
In addition, the MPL 2.0 allows the code to be used in L/GPL projects
(the secondary license clause). This means that any projects that are
already incorporating noVNC should not be impacted by this change and
in fact it should clarify the licensing situation (the exact
application of the L/GPL to web applications and interpreted code is
somewhat ambiguous).
The HTML, CSS, image and font files continue to be under more
permissive licenses (see LICENSE.txt). The included websockify python
code remains under a LGPLv3 license although the include/websock.js
file from the websockify component is now under MPL 2.0 as well.
Permission was received from other noVNC authors to make this change to their
code license on the following dates:
- Chris Gordon (UI): Jun 24, 2012
- Antoine Mercadal (DOM,*util.js): Oct 10, 2012
- William Lightning (UltraVNC repeater): Oct 10, 2012
- Mike Tinglof (tight encoding): Oct 15, 2012
Clarify in LICENSE.txt that the noVNC core library is the part that is
LGPLv3 licensed. The HTML, CSS, images and fonts are separate from the
core library and can be modified and distributed with the noVNC core
but under their own license conditions.
HTML and CSS: 2-Clause BSD
Fonts: SIL OFL 1.1
Images: CC BY SA 3.0
In other words, you can modify the layout and appearance of of noVNC
to integrate with an existing or new web site or application without
having to publish the source for those modifications under the LGPLv3.
However, use of and modification of the noVNC core library (i.e. the
core Javascript that makes up noVNC) must still be according to the
LGPLv3.
Chris Gordon was the other contributor to the HTML, CSS, and images
included with noVNC and gave permission for this license clarification
on June 23, 2012.
Solly Ross
Joel Martin