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<H1>Re: [MUD-Dev] Source Code Release</H1>
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<LI><em>To</em>: <A HREF="mailto:mud-dev#null,net">mud-dev#null,net</A></LI>
<LI><em>Subject</em>: Re: [MUD-Dev] Source Code Release </LI>
<LI><em>From</em>: "Jon A. Lambert" <<A HREF="mailto:jlsysinc#ix,netcom.com">jlsysinc#ix,netcom.com</A>></LI>
<LI><em>Date</em>: Fri, 13 Feb 1998 00:39:02 -4</LI>
<LI><em>Comments</em>: Authenticated sender is <jlsysinc#popd,ix.netcom.com></LI>
<LI><em>Reply-to</em>: <A HREF="mailto:jlsysinc#ix,netcom.com">jlsysinc#ix,netcom.com</A></LI>
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<PRE>
On 11 Feb 98 at 12:12, Greg Munt wrote:
>
> This is something I've wanted to post on, for a number of weeks. My own
> project will be shoving out all of the development docs onto the web:
> specification, design, testing, etc. Shoving out the source code would be
> a natural extension of this. BUT.
>
It's not necessarily a "natural" extension. Well maybe only natural in the
mud world.
> I am wary of what will happen to my code - what it will be used to create
> - once I have made it available to the general public.
>
I don't see why one would need to release source code to get the advantages
you seek below...
Why not release the server as an executable. I don't see why this wouldn't
be a suitable distribution for programmable servers ala LPs, MOOs, etc.
Even hard-coded servers can be released with portions in pre-compiled
libraries.
> Advantages:
>
> The potential of really widespread beta testing
Binaries can also widely beta tested.
> The potential of discussions about various elements of the
> specification, design or implementation being produced, which can only
> help the project.
I don't see this being a source code issue. It's more a question of
documentation availability.
> Allowing people who can't or won't code, to be able to run something
> that they otherwise could not.
Again not a source code issue.
> Potential design suggestions from these non-coders.
Again not a source code issue.
> Disadvantages:
>
> Code misused. Billions of exact replicas spring up everywhere. "Oh god,
> another stock X-MUD..." Bearing in my mind my strong aversion to this
> scenario, this is the main cause of my concern, really.
Advantage -> binary distribution with registration key...
Misuse or fair use?
> Everyone can see how bad my code is. It's not that bad, honest.
Same for binary, except they note how often it crashes.
> If, by some quirk of fate, it becomes a popular base, my mailbox will
> be bombarded with questions from clueless newbie admin. The result is
> what I call "Re: George Reese".
Same for binary. Perhaps a bigger disadvantage unless one is wise enough
to trap exceptions and create meaningful error reports and dumps.
> If it becomes popular, and is misused, its name (and mine) will have a
> bad reputation.
Shrug. You could include the proviso that was in the Sun Java contract.
The one about not using the code to produce chemical, biological or nuclear
weapons. ;)
>
> It's not a legal requirement to follow the distribution license. Even
> if it was, could I really afford to sue thousands of people (presuming
> the code became popular)? And would I want to attract the inevitable
> negative publicity to myself and the game, through such legal actions?
> (See: TSR)
Certainly binaries can be cracked and reverse engineered...yet licenses
are more enforceable against the clueless in this area. I don't see how
this relates to TSR, they never really engaged in any legal activities
with individuals. It was also a much fuzzier issue than many software
licenses. Of course if add stuff relating to standards and responsibility
of good mud administration into a distribution agreement your liable to get
a similar negative popularity rather easily.
--
--/*\ Jon A. Lambert - TychoMUD Internet:jlsysinc#ix,netcom.com /*\--
--/*\ Mud Server Developer's Page <<A HREF="http://www.netcom.com/~jlsysinc">http://www.netcom.com/~jlsysinc</A>> /*\--
--/*\ "Everything that deceives may be said to enchant" - Plato /*\--
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<li><strong><A NAME="00453" HREF="msg00453.html">Re: [MUD-Dev] Source Code Release</A></strong>
<ul compact><li><em>From:</em> Greg Munt <greg#uni-corn,demon.co.uk></li></ul>
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<LI><STRONG><A NAME="00398" HREF="msg00398.html">No Subject</A></STRONG>
<UL><LI><EM>From:</EM> Ben Greear <greear#cyberhighway,net></LI></UL></LI>
<LI><STRONG><A NAME="00405" HREF="msg00405.html">Re: [MUD-Dev] Source Code Release</A></STRONG>
<UL><LI><EM>From:</EM> Greg Munt <greg#uni-corn,demon.co.uk></LI></UL></LI>
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<ul><li>Thread context:
<BLOCKQUOTE><UL>
<LI><STRONG>Re: [MUD-Dev] Source Code Release</STRONG>, <EM>(continued)</EM>
<ul compact>
<ul compact>
<ul compact>
<LI><strong><A NAME="00439" HREF="msg00439.html">Re: [MUD-Dev] Source Code Release</A></strong>,
Greg Munt <a href="mailto:greg#uni-corn,demon.co.uk">greg#uni-corn,demon.co.uk</a>, Thu 12 Feb 1998, 19:10 GMT
<UL>
<LI><strong><A NAME="00445" HREF="msg00445.html">Re: [MUD-Dev] Source Code Release</A></strong>,
Ben Greear <a href="mailto:greear#cyberhighway,net">greear#cyberhighway,net</a>, Fri 13 Feb 1998, 00:48 GMT
<UL>
<LI><strong><A NAME="00454" HREF="msg00454.html">Re: [MUD-Dev] Source Code Release</A></strong>,
Greg Munt <a href="mailto:greg#uni-corn,demon.co.uk">greg#uni-corn,demon.co.uk</a>, Sat 14 Feb 1998, 00:10 GMT
</LI>
</UL>
</LI>
</UL>
</LI>
</ul>
<LI><strong><A NAME="00431" HREF="msg00431.html">Re: [MUD-Dev] Source Code Release</A></strong>,
Stephen Zepp <a href="mailto:zoran#enid,com">zoran#enid,com</a>, Thu 12 Feb 1998, 08:36 GMT
</LI>
<LI><strong><A NAME="00447" HREF="msg00447.html">Re: [MUD-Dev] Source Code Release</A></strong>,
Jon A. Lambert <a href="mailto:jlsysinc#ix,netcom.com">jlsysinc#ix,netcom.com</a>, Fri 13 Feb 1998, 08:31 GMT
<UL>
<LI><strong><A NAME="00453" HREF="msg00453.html">Re: [MUD-Dev] Source Code Release</A></strong>,
Greg Munt <a href="mailto:greg#uni-corn,demon.co.uk">greg#uni-corn,demon.co.uk</a>, Sat 14 Feb 1998, 00:10 GMT
<UL>
<LI><strong><A NAME="00457" HREF="msg00457.html">Re: [MUD-Dev] Source Code Release</A></strong>,
Jon A. Lambert <a href="mailto:jlsysinc#ix,netcom.com">jlsysinc#ix,netcom.com</a>, Sat 14 Feb 1998, 03:33 GMT
<UL>
<LI><strong><A NAME="00460" HREF="msg00460.html">Re: [MUD-Dev] Source Code Release</A></strong>,
Greg Munt <a href="mailto:greg#uni-corn,demon.co.uk">greg#uni-corn,demon.co.uk</a>, Sat 14 Feb 1998, 13:37 GMT
<UL>
<LI><strong><A NAME="00489" HREF="msg00489.html">Re: [MUD-Dev] Source Code Release</A></strong>,
Jon A. Lambert <a href="mailto:jlsysinc#ix,netcom.com">jlsysinc#ix,netcom.com</a>, Mon 16 Feb 1998, 11:57 GMT
</LI>
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