[Brad]

If you rewrite the code yourself then you do not have to ask for permission from the original author. However it's always preferred that you ask the author, especially if their hack inspired you to write your own.

I for one have allowed anyone that asks to port/translate anything I have released over the years. I know most all off my releases are small things, but I'm always happy to pass the project on to someone that wants to take it over.

To be honest once I release something I consider it done unless there is a large bug in it. I don't spend too much time on any one thing...it's the problem that has caused me to end many projects before they were finished.