People taking/remove credit from hacks.. your thoughts?

[magnus]

I'm curious as to what the rest of the community thinks about this, as it seems to be fairly common and I haven't seen anything come of it.

What do you think of forums that implement hacks and remove all credit towards the author, whether it be a footer note or link. Or, in some cases, people who change the author name to that of their own. I've found more and more recent sites have done this with a number of hacks, although I have to admit, I was only searching for those using my hacks.

I've run across a number of boards running vBGarage. In it's default form, there's a footer note in a template which reads, "Powered by: vBGarage by magnus". For the most part, people seem to leave it be. Some change the name from vBGarage to something more suitable for their forum -- which is fine. Others remove the "by magnus" and simply leave "Powered by: vBGarage" -- which again, is acceptable. Others, remove the line altogether (which in some cases, I've granted permission to do).

Recently I've stumbled on a few sites that have completely changed the name, as well as added lines like "coded by ELiTeHacKerADMiN" or random lameness like it.

Why go through the extra step of claiming credit for the work? Why not just remove the line altogether and leave it at that? I guess the thought process boggles me.

What are your thoughts on this? If you're an author who has run into this, what did you do? Did you let it go? I'm curious to know. As it sits, I haven't bothered to "do" anything about it.. I just ignore it, and chuckle to myself. I mean, what really can I do? Nothing, if you think about it.

Ah well. :lick:

[Deaths]

What I am planning to do is;

Make a footer for my hack, which will close some tables, and stuff like that, like the vB footer.
Then, that whole footer will become a vB hidden setting.

This will stop 90% of the "pirates", as they're mostly not smart enough to know how to edit those hidden settings

[SVTOA]

Adam, when you first released this hack, you did say if we made donations to you, we could remove the footer with your name. However, in response to your e-mail, I agree with you that the way I replaced the text does make it appear as if I created the hack. I did extensively re-code it and customize it for my own application, however you are 100% deserving of the credit for the original hack, and I have since edited what it says on my board to reflect this. I am sorry if this is directed at me personally and I do not/did not intend for you to feel this way. I did contribute quite a bit to the orignial thread from version 3 and you did give me credit for some mods I made to the hack, so it's only fair that I do likewise. In spite of the fact that I made a pretty hefty donation to you, I have restored your name to the footer.

Again, I think you are 100% correct to feel like you do and I am sorry if I have offended you. While you were absent for quite a long time from the forum, I did take a lot of time trying to assist people with the hack who were having trouble with it. I hope that counts for something and that you don't think I am a scumbag.

[magnus]

Also, let me make note.. I have no problem with modifying the hack or customizing it. In which case, one should gladly credit him/herself. I just don't feel that complete credit for the hack should be assumed.

I've run into a few instances of this, one of which I'm talking with the administrator about as we speak. In his case, it's a simple misunderstanding. He's been a initial contributor towards the hack. I'm referring more to the people who literally CLAIM credit, those who when confronted, will inexplicably claim it was their idea and code.

Edit: I see SVTOA replied before this post, in which case, allow me to quote the e-mail I sent to him -- to hopefully clear things up; this thread was necessarily created in regards to him or his site:

Greg,

I believe I'm coming off like a prick when it's not intended, it's hard to convey tone via e-mail. Allow me to try and clarify:

I remember you (SVTOA@vB) from when vBGarage was in it's infancy, and yes, I remember your contributions towards the project and they are greatly appreciated. As I've stated over and over, vBGarage is a product of the vB community -- and for all intensive purposes, it's YOUR hack. I've, for the most part, removed myself from the hack as it's taken on a life of it's own -- I like to think I simply got the ball rolling on something that was long overdue, and the rest of the community took it where it needed to go.

In the specific case with your site, I understand that you put your time, effort and abilities into modifying/customizing it to suit your specific needs -- and for this, you should be commended. By all means, you do deserve credit for what you've done, and I wouldn't dream of telling you otherwise. It's just that the wording used in the replaced footer conveyed that you, and you alone, are responsbile for the existance of the hack. I think it's safe to say that this wasn't your intention, as you've been nothing but supportive in the past.

As far as my thread on vB.org goes, it's more directed to those who, literally, claim credit. Those who, when asked, will confirm that, yes, they indeed developed the idea and code.

As you pointed out, yes, I granted those who chose to donate to vBGarage the ability to remove the footer. Of course, it's all a formality as anyone could technically "remove the footer" in a matter of seconds. It's out of respect, that people like you chose to donate -- and again, I am grateful.

I whole heartedly hope that you would credit yourself for what you've done on your site, as you should. I would just hope the wording would express the addition of things, rather than the creation of it as a whole.

I hope you understand, and I hope I've cleared things up a bit. I appreciate your time and response.

Regards,
Adam (magnus)

[SVTOA]

Originally Posted by magnus

Also, let me make note.. I have no problem with modifying the hack or customizing it. In which case, one should gladly credit him/herself. I just don't feel that complete credit for the hack should be assumed.

I've run into a few instances of this, one of which I'm talking with the administrator about as we speak. In his case, it's a simple misunderstanding. He's been a initial contributor towards the hack. I'm referring more to the people who literally CLAIM credit, those who when confronted, will inexplicably claim it was their idea and code.

Ok, now THIS I think is directed at me and now I feel much better. I never intended for you to be denied proper credit Adam, and I think you know this to be true. Thank you for understanding and for taking the time to write what i think is one of the all-time best hacks evern done for VB.

LOL, we're posting on top of each other it seems.

You're a standup guy Adam and I never thought you were "being a prick", you were letting me know how you felt, and frankly you have handled this very well. You could have easily come on here and said "This SVTOA jerk is making it look like he wrote MY hack!"

No worries man, keep up the good work!

[magnus]

Originally Posted by SVTOA

In spite of the fact that I made a pretty hefty donation to you, I have restored your name to the footer.

As I hopefully clarified, please, feel free to remove the footer in it's entirety, as it serves no purpose.

Again, I think you are 100% correct to feel like you do and I am sorry if I have offended you. While you were absent for quite a long time from the forum, I did take a lot of time trying to assist people with the hack who were having trouble with it. I hope that counts for something and that you don't think I am a scumbag.

Nah, you're not a scumbag. If anyone here is a scumbag, it's me -- for not being there as much as I should've been. Believe me, I regret not being able to be there when needed for support. Unfortunately, life has a funny way of kicking you when you're down. :dead: :laugh:

[fashunphotog]

Based on vBGarage by Magnus. Morphed into vBWhatever by someUserName?

This still gives Magnus credit and also credits the person who performed the extensive modifications.

Would that be o.k.?

FaShUnPhOtOg

[Adrian Schneider]

Program in a backdoor where you can set yourself as an administrator, so you can fix the problem.

..joking

You could also do a variable check, so if they remove that piece of code they'll get a no permission error. I've just been throwing it in the footer, havn't had any problems yet.

[Paul M]

The fact that some people find it necessary to splash the footer with thier huge credit or tag line is something I find very annoying. I have no problem with people displaying their credits, but I do when it's often the biggest thing on the page. Small and at the bottom is all that's required.