[13th_Disciple]

Originally Posted by amykhar

I guess I'm just touchy on this subject right now. Nobody has the right to my brain or the code that I write. Now, there are Vbulletin 2 hacks I have written that I have no intention of supporting any more. I could delete them because I won't support them, but I prefer to leave the work so that other coders can use them as a baseline.

Why don't I support my version 2 hacks? Because I don't have a version 2 board any more, and I don't see it as my duty to keep it installed to answer questions. If I was a company support person, that would be unforgiveable. But I'm not. I'm a hobbyist. And doing something that is no fun is no way to pursue a hobby.

And, I'm not going to update most of my older hacks. Why? Because I no longer need the features those hacks provided. If I don't need the code, why would I take the time to write it, debug it, document it, and support it? I'd do it if a special friend asked me to, but not for any Joe Blow. Too many headaches involved.

If somebody were to say to me that they wanted to update one of my old hacks for VB3, I would say go for it. It's not an ego thing for me.

That said, if somebody were to take my code and re-release it with minor changes without my permission, I would have a fit. Why? Because it is a sign of disrespect. In a community such as this one, there have to be rules of etiquette. The rule about not pilching code is there because some hack authors release code for the joy of the recognition. Without that benefit, they wouldn't release code at all because there would be no fun in it. Allowing others to take code, tweak it a tiny bit, and then slap their name on it would drive the real hack-writers away.

Before you make any demands of hackers, please understand that hacking is our hobby, not our job. Making your site better is your responsibility, not ours. Fixing bugs in our released code is something we should do, but adding extra features, upgrading code to your version of vbulletin, etc. isn't something you should expect of us.

A hack is a gift from a coder to the community. When you receive a gift, you're not supposed to demand more of the giver.

Amy

i don't think it's about name recognition.. i personally could careless who the hell creates a hack or supports it or rewrites it or installs it.. i think those that support their own hacks are admirable for doing so.. those that don't, it's their right.. with old hacks for older versions of vB.. i tthink everyone would agree that support, at some point, is depricated.. it's a given.. happens in every industry..

as far as those expecting support from all hackers, that i know of, i personally have never asked for help one single time on this or any other forum unless i started rehacking someone elses code and that has only been for vBindex from NTLDR and he has offered nothing but solid information and support.. not only that, the ability to do multiple vBindex pages will be in an upcoming version, which is something i was heavily requesting, as well as many others..

i think people often don't realize that there are a hell of a lot more of us out there not asking questions or for support or anything of the kind than there are that actually do.. i make no demands on anyone.. i realize all of this is free.. hell, i run dedicated servers, pay for that out of my pocket every month, pay for all software based costs on the server (only vB for now) and any associated costs to do whatever i want with the machine.. not to mention it occupies every minute of spare time i have.. i am also a single father of a 3 year old daughter.. i have time for nothing.. i do this for fun and the pleasure and all that happy horse ++++ like everyone else..

but i make myself available even for the most menial things that users of my server need.. i do all of that for free as well, free for those guys and gals, that is.. i understand the support deal.. but also understand, there are more of us transparent users that thank the hackers, click install and move along without taking up time..

i just would like to see the site back to as united as it was when i first started coming here long before i ever bought vB and even registered.. this place alone is one of the reasons many of us spent the bread for something we can equally get for free from many places now..

the community was tearing some then, but the page has been ripped from the book now.. also, it would also be nice if there was OPEN AND HONEST discussion allowed.. i personally saw nothing wrong with debating the vbhosting hack and it's issues with the LA.. but that is another story.. just allow for talk.. it hurt no one having that thread..