[net.micro.mac] Big Game Posting

st94wb@sdcc12.UUCP (wade blomgren) (09/29/86)

In article <13185@amdcad.UUCP>, jimb@amdcad.UUCP (Jim Budler) writes:
> We may have even more sabotage around. Take a look below:
> [ reference to posting game deleted]......
> This implied copy-protection to me, so I looked up the announcement
> in net.micro.mac and recognized the name, as being the same joker
> in the More problem.
> 
> I don't think I'll waste my time, effort and money downloading a
> probably pirated, and/or non-working, practical joke. (355K!!).
> 
> Be warned!


Now, Jim. I don't know who David Whiteman is either, but I don't think this
game is pirated or whatever. The reason it is so damn big is that
World Builder makes extensive use of Mac Paint pictures and digitized sound
in the body of the game.  I downloaded the game and I have played it (haven't 
gotten past the vorpal bunny though). It has not sabotaged my machine yet. 
From the grammar in the original version (fixed in a later posting, if
I recall correctly) any fool can tell that it is not a commercial venture.
Credit is given to World Builder's maker in the intro to the game. The
share ware fee asked is a mere $5.00 or a diskette. Pretty cheap, if you
ask me. ( And that only if you keep the game).

The game was written by a guy called Chris Wigginton from the San Diego area,
with "testing and modification" credit given to Robert Eberhardt, the PD
software librarian for the San Diego Mac Users Group.  In looking up his
position with them I noticed that David Whiteman's name is in the credits
for their monthly newsletter. This is not a fly by night users group. Hertzfeld
himself spoke at their meeting a few months back.

I think you are on the wrong track, blackballing someone's postings because
they complained about a piece of software and the (Virginal, all knowing,
totally cooperative, we-are-lucky-they-deign-to-allow-us-to-buy-their-software)
VENDOR said he never heard from him and he is not a registered user. What
if he is not the guy who's name is on the registration card, but he is
the guy who has access to UseNet? This does not mean that they have copied
the software, does it?


Also, the fact that Jerry never heard of David means nothing. There are
thousands of users here at UCSD. "@ UCSD Academic Computer Center" is
tacked onto any posting made by any person with an account here.

Relax. 

(Disclaimer: If I am wrong about the game, or the people involved then:
   "Sorry about that, Chief" )


Wade Blomgren
UC San Diego
Academic Computing Services

....!sdcsvax!sdacs!wade   

(619) 534-6912
Mail Code B-028
UCSD
La Jolla, CA 92093