For us fans, if you thought things couldn't get worse for Helix, read it and weep
http//
I shudder to speculate on what AD will now charge for this formerly open-source project.
(
Actually e-Fense is already charging for their products like "Live Response" and the most recent release of Helix. As from what I have seen there are quite a few promising projects around like Caine or the live-CD from FCCU. The tools included are mostly the same. Additionally Linux itself is a massive tool box, though without the fancy glitter windows-apps usually provide ;). In a nutshell if they want to go, let them go and just look out for some other (free) solution.
I will be discussing a new FOSS product call Phoenix at the
Drew
The free version of Helix will remain free.
Drew, best of luck with your new venture, look forward to seeing Phoenix.
As has been mentioned above, "free" helix remains free, although continues to be unsupported and is no longer improved etc.
It remains to be seen quite what AccessData have in mind for the e-Fense solution suite, but I am hoping to get more details later. Whatever it is, I doubt they will want to do much in the OpenSource space, which is why its particularly exciting that Drew Fahey is releasing Phoenix - which I understand he will maintain in his own time whilst working over at Blackbag Technologies.
Cheers
Matt Furneaux
Bright Forensics
Field is evolving - no one died.
Drew, best of wishes and luck with Phoenix.
I also hope nothing but the best with AD and the e-Fense crew. Keep up the good work and putting out new products.
People might grumble that certain hardware and software tools have had their issues - so what? Be happy that their are really smart and dedicated people putting themselves out there to develop products to make our jobs easier! I have personally met, spoke to on phone and/or e-mail or on forums to many of the people in the companies putting out solutions and everyone has been nothing but nice. This is a small but growing community and we have to be careful not to eat our own when the inevitable changes happen or when products miss the mark.
To clarify. AccessData will continue to support the free version of Helix, just as we support Imager, which is also free. Thank you, Douglas, for the kind words. And Drew, best of luck with Phoenix!
What about Helix 3 Pro?
Matt Furneaux
Bright Forensics?
This post is in response to the concern that has been expressed on various message boards and by callers about the future of e-fense products. We are all aware of the development and support challenges that e-fense has been facing recently. This is precisely why AccessData and e-fense entered into this agreement. We at AccessData are taking over the development of the e-fense product line to ensure that e-fense customers receive the support and product updates they have been waiting for. Our development teams are better positioned to provide timely enhancements to these products, and our technical support department is equipped to assist both AccessData customers and e-fense customers. We at AccessData and e-fense want to make it absolutely clear that we will continue to support and enhance the e-fense product line. In short, the e-fense product line will continue to exist as it is now – the only difference being that AccessData will be providing the product updates and technical support that has been missing of late. We know that over the course of this year, you will see that this partnership is a positive move that will benefit both companies, as well as our customers.