I'm neither a hacker nor a programmer, just an average visitor to vB.org. I remain amazed by both the generosity and knowledge of the authors of the mods presented here and wish in no way for anyone to infringe upon their rights.
However, as an average "joe" visitor when I see a vB2 mod that I hope will be updated to work with vB3 I am left wondering if this will ever occur. Is the author working on it? Gone away, lost interest and could care less about updating their mod? Or are they feverishly working on an update?
Might there be a pragmatic way to vB.org to inquire of the authors their intentions? Might they be asked if they are willing to allow others to carrying on with updating (with credit given) if they have no interest in doing so themselves? Might there be a way for vB.org to help streamline the process for everyone involved?
I dunno...just asking.
Feel free to PM or email the original authors.
Most authors, if they are too busy to do it, will allow others to update their hacks, as long as proper credit is given.
That'll soon no longer be an issue either. A system is being prepared for all of that
OK - fine.
But what's the answer to my question
Is it allowed to allowed/ethical to release ported Hacks that originally came with a GPL-notice (which allows modifications)?
Faranth semi copied mine, but gave him permission afterwards . Now I just want a link back to the vB2 version in his post ^_^
ah, actually i didnt know it was yours to be honest, and if you ask Xenon between me and him i got it coded i will give you credit for the original hack sorry i missed that
ah, actually i didnt know it was yours to be honest, and if you ask Xenon between me and him i got it coded i will give you credit for the original hack sorry i missed that
I can see this happening a lot.
An idea may have been presented in the past but does this mean it is rightfully theirs? Do we have to ask for permission to "use" an idea? NO!
There's an easy solution to this, you just need to understand how copyrights work. In a basic rundown, you can create modifications to an author's hack, however, you cannot release the actual modified hack.. but you can release just the modifications. This is what's called "a patch" in the software world.
Basically, create a patch (or directions) to modify the original source which you must distribute independantly of the original source and you are completely in your legal right in the eye of the law. Now, whether or not vB.org chooses to abide soley by the legal stance or instead by a local private stance is another thing.
However, from what it seems, vB.org is strictly adhereing to a legal perspective so you should be fine releasing a patch.
OK - fine.
But what's the answer to my question
Is it allowed to allowed/ethical to release ported Hacks that originally came with a GPL-notice (which allows modifications)?
If an author releases source under the GNU General Public License, you are free to modify and/or distribute it provided that the source code is included and the distribution license remains the GPL.
01-11-2004, 06:54 AM
. Now I just want a link back to the vB2 version in his post ^_^
Linear Mode
