chuqui@nsc.UUCP (Chuq Von Rospach) (05/01/85)
In article <272@osu-eddie.UUCP> paul@osu-eddie.UUCP (Paul Placeway) writes: >> >>Unfortunately, its a copyrighted program, Steve Capp's "Alice".... > >I don't know about Steve Capp, but if it were my copyrighted program, >I would sue Jim into the ground. Unlike some micro-BBSs, it is more >than likely that a given company is on the net, and will see a pirated >program posting. Pirating is wrong to start with, but posting to the >net a pirated program is just plain STUPID (not to mention twice) >(with offense, Jim). Perhaps a lawyer would like to explain this to >people... Sigh. As one of the people involved in getting net.sources.mac created in the first place it looks like it is time for sources 101, a remedial class in how to post to the network. Forthwith, and may the people who know what they are doing bear with me for the sake of those that evidently don't: Posting to net.sources.mac -- an exercise in education * What should be posted to net.sources.mac? Well, beanie, Macintosh programs, of course. As the name implies, the group is primarily for Macintosh source, which is why all you see is binHexed object code. If you have something to be posted to net.sources.mac, please, if at ALL possible post source to it as well. One purpose of the group is to share freeware, but the other, and possibly more important, reason is to give people programming examples so that they can learn to program the Mac as well. The Mac is a VERY complex beastie, and Inside Mac nowithstanding, most people can use all the help they can get putting their ideas into the machine. The more source we throw out now, the faster and better programs we can get back from others. Consider it a well made investment in the future. * How do you post to net.sources.mac Glad you asked. First, put together a distribution of the files using something like shar. Binaries should be binhexed, preferably 4.0 since the other BinHex formats don't survive through all the corners of our wonderful network. Please include such trivial things as what the program's name is, where you got it, who wrote it, distribution rights, etc, etc, etc. Don't forget the source code and please give us a hint on how to recompile it -- things like compilers used, what language it is in, etc... come in real handy. Any explanitory notes traditionally go into a file called README so people can see what is going on. If the distribution is larger than about 30K, please break it up into chunks of about equal size (and all <30K). For very large distributions, such as the recent MacFonts disks, the distribution will have to be made over time to keep sites from eating large parts of it. 40-50K every three or four days seems to be the maximum safe distribution from any one source. * What DOESN'T belong in net.sources.mac Anything that isn't source or program, obviously. Maybe not so obviously, since people ignore this routinely. Please post all requests for software to net.micro.mac. Please post bugs, fixes (unless it also has non-trivial amounts of source), comments, flames, bitches, moans, whines and the 1985 San Diego Chicken appearance calender to net.micro.mac or someplace where it is appropriate. Many sites attempt to archive the source topics, and it you throw lots of garbage into the directory finding something later becomes a real pain. Many of us have made a concious decision to completely ignore any request made to net.sources.mac, even if we DO have the software in question, so you are LESS likely to get a response if you post it inappropriately. Anything that isn't public domain (such as my PlaidWare line of software, upcoming), shareware (such as Desk Accessory Mover), or approved for redistribution (such as the MacFont Disks. Please note that unless Apple has specifically approved it, things on the software supplement disks can NOT be posted. Microsoft word can NOT be posted, either. If it is from Apple, and it isn't on Compuserve, do NOT post it. Apple has gone to great lengths to make their software as generally available as feasible, don't screw them on this. If the software is copyrighted for limited or no distribution, do not post it without the permission of the owner of the copyright, and MAKE SURE THAT THE COPYRIGHT IS POSTED WITH IT. (Sounds obvious? Maybe too obvious). Please remember this -- posting proprietary software to this group violates the owners rights to that software, putting you, and possibly the entire net, in violation of various federal, state, and local laws (void where prohibited). They could decide to sue your a**, they could decide to sue the networks a**, they could make life very miserable. Most of us are involved in software in some way or another -- think VERY carefully about your feelings if you got your hardearned work (and possibly paycheck) ripped off before you rip off someone else's. Test the software before you post it. Sounds silly, but there have been a couple of cases of software that had four or five versions posted in about a week. That isn't bug fixing, that is sloppiness. * Is that all? I certainly hope so, Wally. the main thing is to think before you do anything. If you aren't sure of the status of a program (freeware, shareware, copyrighted, whatever), then DON'T post it. If its been posted before, please try to not duplicate it unneccesarily. Keep the garbage out of the group, and keep the information in net.micro.mac. This has been a recording, we now return you to your regularly scheduled programming. chuq -- :From the closet of anxieties of: Chuq Von Rospach {cbosgd,fortune,hplabs,ihnp4,seismo}!nsc!chuqui nsc!chuqui@decwrl.ARPA Remember me, for that which I must do shall ring out upon the heavens and my name shall be renounced by the tongues of all mankind! - J. Iscariot
ward@hao.UUCP (Mike Ward) (05/03/85)
> * What DOESN'T belong in net.sources.mac > > Anything that isn't source or program, obviously. Maybe not so > obviously, since people ignore this routinely. Please post all requests > for software to net.micro.mac. Please post bugs, fixes (unless it also > has non-trivial amounts of source), comments, flames, bitches, moans, > whines and the 1985 San Diego Chicken appearance calender to > net.micro.mac or someplace where it is appropriate. And guess where this was posted? Hint: > Newsgroups: net.sources.mac,net.micro.mac I guess the king is above the law.
chuqui@nsc.UUCP (Chuq Von Rospach) (05/06/85)
In article <1508@hao.UUCP> ward@hao.UUCP (Mike Ward) writes: >> * What DOESN'T belong in net.sources.mac >> >> Anything that isn't source or program, obviously. Maybe not so >And guess where this was posted? Hint: > >> Newsgroups: net.sources.mac,net.micro.mac > >I guess the king is above the law. Not true, sahib. My standard policy on posting stuff like this is to post it to the groups affected. There is unfortunately no other way to get it to the people that need to read it most-- those that screw up. The OTHER HALF of my standard policy is to send out a cancel message for the posting if that posting goes to a group that may well be archived. The cancel message is wending its way out now -- if you don't see it, it is because some system out there ate it for you. I COULD have posted my comments to net.flame. That would have made me feel better, but I doubt that a significant number of the people who are misusing net.source.mac would have seen it or acted on it. I also doubt sincerely that most of the net.flame readers CARE what we do to net.sources.mac. I wish I didn't have to post that stuff to ent.sources.mac -- cancelling it is at best a second rate alternative -- but the reality is that if people didn't screw up in the first place, it wouldn't be neccessary. I, at least, try to minimize the damage.... chuq -- :From the offices of Pagans for Cthulhu: Chuq Von Rospach {cbosgd,fortune,hplabs,ihnp4,seismo}!nsc!chuqui nsc!chuqui@decwrl.ARPA Who shall forgive the unrepentant?