Info-Mac-Request@SUMEX-AIM.STANFORD.EDU (The Moderators) (06/01/90)
Info-Mac Digest Thu, 31 May 90 Volume 8 : Issue 108
Today's Topics:
[*] FP accelerator
[*] Gauntlet Editor 1.0
[*] runners-log.hqx (Hypercard stack)
Anonymity revisted
Buying memory summary [[attn. Bill Lipa -- second attempt]]
CoCoA 1.0c is ready
for infomac bulletin
Hide windows under Multifinder ??
HPGL files and word
INFO REQUEST: Hard Drives International & Seagate/Quantum Drives
Memory manager frozen?
Mickey Mouse Argument
More on scanned images...
My Mickey the Sorcerer posting
Omnipage for OCR ??
Scanned Art Controversy
Software for Mac Programming books
The ethics of posting copyrighted materials
Your Info-Mac Moderators are Bill Lipa, Lance Nakata, and Jon Pugh.
The Info-Mac archives are available (by using FTP, account anonymous,
any password) in the info-mac directory on sumex-aim.stanford.edu
[36.44.0.6]. Help files are in /info-mac/help. Indices are in
/info-mac/help/recent-files.txt and /info-mac/help/all-files.txt.
Please send articles and binaries to info-mac@sumex-aim.stanford.edu.
Send administrative mail to info-mac-request@sumex-aim.stanford.edu.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Sat, 5 May 90 13:28 CDT
From: "WILLIAM R. HUTCHISON" <336581074@uwplatt.edu>
Subject: [*] FP accelerator
This is a FP accelerator INIT for all macs.
[Archived as /info-mac/init/fp-accelerator.hqx; 42K]
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 4 May 90 15:56:48 EDT
From: isle@eleazar.dartmouth.edu (Ken Hancock)
Subject: [*] Gauntlet Editor 1.0
Below is the new version of my "quick-hack." Bug fixes include
proper editing of Health and Score, as well as limiting the number
of keys and potions to 255 (prevent screen updating problems).
Gauntlet Editor is FreeWare and may be distributed freely for
non-commercial purposes.
Ken
--
Ken Hancock '90 | Now that I'm employed,
Consultant | standard disclaimer applies. :-)
Computer Resource Center |==============================================
Dartmouth College | EMAIL: isle@eleazar.dartmouth.edu
[Archived as /info-mac/game/gauntlet-editor-10.hqx; 23K]
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 3 May 90 11:34:40 EDT
From: Gcrawfo%UMass.BITNET@forsythe.stanford.edu
Subject: [*] runners-log.hqx (Hypercard stack)
This message describes the "Runner's Log" HyperCard stack. It is a
SHAREWARE stack which REQUIRES HyperCard v. 1.2 or higher. This stack
is for runners, swimmers, or bikers for keeping track of running (or
other) statistics. It is both easy to use and useful.
Features include:
* Multiple sessions per day
* Interval sessions (for example, track workouts)
* Calculates a distance, time, or pace based on the other two.
* Weekly cumulative statistics
* Easy conversion between units (for example, miles to km)
* Simple plotting facility for any data quantity
* Export data to Tab/CR delimited file for use by spreadsheet
With the "Runner's Log" stack come two additional files: "RL Guided Tour"
and "RL add'l formats." The Guided Tour file is an example Runner's Log
stack with annotations and exercises to guide you through the use and
features of the Runner's Log stack. The Guided Tour stack is an excellent
way to learn how to use the Runner's Log stack.
The add'l formats file is a file of resources which contain the data for
additional distance, time, and pace formats that can be installed in a
Runner's Log stack with ResEdit. (Some are particularly useful for
swimmers).
All aspects of these files are copywrited and cannot be used without the
permission of the author. No legal warranty is implied by payment of
shareware contribution.
If you use this stack every day, as I hope you will, please send the
shareware contribution; details in the stack. Also, PLEASE share only
exact copies of the originals of these files, including this message.
Sincerely,
G. A. Crawford
3/28/90 Norhtampton, MA, USA
[Archived as /info-mac/card/runners-log.hqx; 130K
/info-mac/card/runners-log-help.hqx; 230K]
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 31 May 90 11:32:04 edt
From: Bruce_Kahn@dgc.mceo.dg.com
Subject: Anonymity revisted
CEO summary:
Since its such a hot topic and was probably set off by my request
for the program a while back Ill toss in my 2cents worth. The reason
I originally asked for the program or information on modifying the
startup information is that in a company the size of our (or other
organizations for that matter) we have 'personal' copies of all the
software on everyones systems. Problems arise when people either
change divisions or leave the company. The originals simply vanish
or are 'misplaced'. Not all the time is the original owner at fault
as packages tend to disappear if left out overnight (and are reported
to corporate security as thefts). Now, what are we to do?? Its odd
if we give the mac to someone else and their program say John Doe
instead of Jane Q Public or Divisional Floater.
There are 2 solutions: Reinstall off SOMEONE elses copy
(technically illegal but somewhat excusable) OR simply erase the
information and redo it. Since its not that difficult to change the
information (reference my summary in an earlier Digest), I dont see
what the big hooplah is over having a program that explicitly does
it since it has legitimate uses. Well, those are my 2 cents for what
they are worth...
Bruce (KAHN@ADAM.DG.COM)
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 30 May 90 11:56 +0100
From: Pieter Stouten <STOUTEN%EMBL.bitnet@forsythe.stanford.edu>
Subject: Buying memory summary [[attn. Bill Lipa -- second attempt]]
B U Y I N G C H E A P T H I R D P A R T Y M E M O R Y
#########################################################
This is addressed to all people who are interested in cheep memory upgrades,
and especially those living in Europe. Detailed here are our experiences
with buying memory from USA as well as the opinions held by other people
about a range of memory supplying companies.
Our experiences
===============
When living in Europe there are several things to consider when buying
memory. Two important things are 1) the price and 2) the time between
ordering and receiving.
Since people obviously are not going to make phone calls to America
when money is a relevant issue, a potential vendor should ideally
be reachable by telefax. When all communication has to be done through
physical mail it might take a very long time before the upgrade arrives.
We decided to go with the Chip Merchant for three reasons: 1) they provide
the cheapest SIMMs ($66/megabyte), 2) in general they seem to deliver very
quickly and 3) lots of people had already ordered from them and none of
them had any complaints to speak of.
The people at Chip Merchant were very friendly and in most cases they
replied to a telefax within a day, providing all relevant information. We
were also promptly informed of the receipt of money and shipping of the
chips.
Because cash-on-delivery is not possible outside the USA, all merchandise
must be prepaid. Unfortunately they don't accept credit cards or personal
cheques (like Euro-cheques). We wired the money, which normally takes
6 to 10 days when it goes through the main offices of the banks concerned.
Quicker, but more expensive is to wire directly to Chip Merchant's bank.
The chips were transported by normal air mail and the costs were only $10
for 4 one-megabyte SIMMs. A more expensive solution is Federal Express,
which takes less than a week and if you are in a real big hurry it can be
sent by a carrier service, which would roughly cost $75. Of course even the
most expensive solution is far cheaper than a memory upgrade from Apple.
Both our orders arrived on the same day. In one case this was 15 days
after transfer of money, but in the other case it took 30 days. There can
be two reasons for this: 1) it is well known that it can take quite some
time to get such merchandise cleared by customs (we did not have to pay any
tax, but one should realize that e.g. Germany typically charges 15% import
tax for semi-conductor materials) and 2) the chips might not be in stock
all the time. Anyway, the time lapsed between the first contact and the
final delivery was 40 days. However, if we wanted to order the same again
(having more knowledge and experience now), it would take considerably
less time from the first contact till the arrival of the chips.
The chips that we finally received are produced by Samsung (known to be
cheap and good). They were installed without problems. One of us (K.P.)
found an official Apple dealer quite willing to install the new memory,
although it was third-party memory and not even bought from/through this
dealer. The upgraded MacPluses now run smoothly for over a month now.
Noteworthy, however, is that it takes a MacPlus roughly half a minute on
startup to perform a memory check when it has 4 MB of memory.
A third European buying from the Chip Merchant had his chips slightly
damaged by an official Apple Dealer (!). Returning them and getting new
ones from the Chip Merchant free of charge took only 11 days. That is what
I would call good service.
*** The take home message is that it is easy and inexpensive to buy
memory from USA, but that (if ordered from Europe) it takes much time
for the merchandise to arrive. ***
Karl Pottie, Catholic University Leuven, Belgium
bitnet: ghgaqba@blekul11
Pieter Stouten, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, West Germany
bitnet: stouten@embl
Annotated List of Memory Vendors and Some General Notes (from responders)
=========================================================================
Below you find the information we received from others about their
experiences (additions in square brackets are ours). Thanks to all who
made the effort to share their experiences. Some of the info arrived
before, some after we placed our orders (roughly in the period between
november 1989 and april 1990). Prices are of course continuously changing,
but a rough comparison is possible. We just compiled the list and removed
some redundant information. We are not responsible for its contents.
Nor do we have any connection with one or more companies mentioned in
this article. We are just satisfied customers (of the Chip Merchant).
******************************************************
-> You'll save a bundle getting RAM from a 3rd party [not Apple],
especially if you install it yourself.
-> Shipping to Europe would cost around 50 cents an ounce through regular
mail. I don't think there would be any taxes on it [?].
-> Go through the ads in the back of MacWeek, call all the 800 numbers
listed for SIMMs, and go for the cheapest one.
[-> Most companies advertising in MacUser don't mention prices, but ask
you to phone for the most recent prices. Prices mentioned vary from $95
to $169 a Megabyte.]
[from other people who posted requests for information on buying memory:]
-> The most recommended companies? Technology Works, MET, MacConnection had
the most praise. Everybody who had ordered from them had been happy with
their interactions with the company, except one person wasn't too thrilled.
-> Among the replies were references to vendors with $140 a meg all the
way down to $80 a meg (in quantity).
******************************************************
** THE CHIP MERCHANT
9285 Chesapeake Drive, Suite L
San Diego, CA 92123
1-800-426-6375 (orders)
1-619-268-4774 (information)
1-619-268-0874 (fax line)
-> The best price that I have seen is from the Chip Merchant - they have
been advertising in MacWeek for $79 per meg. This is 80ns Fast Page ram,
which should work with everything, including the IIci.
They offer a 5 year guarantee, but I do not know how good the chips are
or how good their support is.
-> I've noticed that Chip Merchant is the cheapest around, and have
purchased from them twice.
In both cases they were 1) speedy, essentially UPS turnaround on a phone
order, and 2) they worked. Given the prices were the lowest (at the time)
what more could you ask? Well, they didn't take credit cards so it was
UPS collect but that wasn't a problem for me.
-> I just bought from the Chip Merchant at $64 per 80 ns 1-meg SIMM for
the Mac. I've ordered from them several times and have always been satisfied.
-> The Chip Merchant said that they had no SIMMs in stock, the last quoted
price was $66/SIMM, but they probably wouldn't have any in stock until
Wednesday or Thursday. I pointed a friend at Chip Merchant last week -
he got them at $66 in two days. I mailed my order in and waited a week
and a half before calling them. Apparantly they had to wait until my check
cleared. Then they said it would ship the following monday. Well its been
a week since then and still no SIMMs. I guess others are just lucky.
-> The people on the phone at Chip Merchant weren't at all helpful.
-> The price is lower if you send them a check than if you use a purchase
order.
******************************************************
** MICRO ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGIES INC. (MET)
35 South Street
Hopkinton, Massachusetts 01748
telefax: (508) 435-6481
telephone: (800) 766-7466
-> 80ns for $80(in quantity), actually, $85 for say, 4.
-> The SIMMs have a lifetime warranty (to protect against floods and/or
acts of God) and were received in three days (UPS ground).
-> The sales person that I talked to was extremely helpful. As for the SIMMs
I got an excellent price of $66 per 1Mb (80ns) at MET. They were prompt and
courteous and accepted my VISA card. I picked up the chips in person. They
ship UPS ground so that would have only cost a $1.50.
******************************************************
** SOUTH COAST ELECTRONICS
10920 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 1100
Los Angeles, CA 90024
Telephone: (213) 208-3260
Fax: (213) 208-3282
Toll free: (800) 289-8801
-> We were very happy with the service. The cost right now is $75 a MB. The
chips have a lifetime warranty, 70 & 80 ns, surface mount, low profile,
same-day shipping.
******************************************************
** TECHNOLOGY WORKS
4030 Braker Lane West
Austin, TX 78759
Toll free: (800) 622-2210
telefax: (512) 794-8520
-> Technology WORKS is pretty good. 70ns SIMMs for $98/meg. Includes Torx,
installation guide, etc. Will send it COD; accepts visa, M/C, etc.
-> Thanks to those on the net endorsing the Technology Works, I bought
my memory expansion from them. The price and service were fine.
******************************************************
** NEWER TECHNOLOGIES
-> I got my RAM from Newer Technologies (look for the ad in the back
of MacUser) and was satisfied with price and service, though other
places may be cheaper.
******************************************************
** PERIPHERAL OUTLET
Ada, Oklahoma.
Telephone: (405) 332-6581.
-> Their current prices for each 1 meg SIMM 80 ns. is $64.00
******************************************************
** PSI
2005 Hamilton Avenue, Ste 220
San Jose, CA 95125
Toll free: (800) 622-1722
Telephone: (408) 559-8544
-> PSI is ok too.
******************************************************
** MACCONNECTION
(look in magazine for address, phone)
-> $100 a meg for 100ns
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 31 May 90 14:42 ITA
From: Alessandro Giovini <COCOA%IGECUNIV.BITNET@forsythe.stanford.edu>
Subject: CoCoA 1.0c is ready
Version 1.0c of CoCoA is now ready.
CoCoA is a user-friendly system for commutative algebra running on
any macintosh with at least 512K.
It works on multivariate polynomial rings/modules/matrices and
performs simple and sophisticated operations; it is quite fast.
Besides the 'obvious' ones, we just mention Grobner bases,
Hilbert & Poincare' function, mimimal free resolutions of modules,
now it handles also rational functions (to some limited extent).
It is very easy to use - like every true-Mac program.
Release 1.0c contains several new features w.r.t. version 0.99.
It is still free, you just have to send 2 blank diskettes at the
address below. (the second disk is just to cover postage expenses).
CoCoA is distributed with a Word 4.0 formatted manual on the disk.
If someone can put it into the infomac archive, the better.
Alessandro Giovini & Gianfranco Niesi
dept. of Mathematics, University of Genova
v. L. B. Alberti 4
16132, Genova, ITALY
email: giovini@igecuniv.bitnet
cocoa@igecuniv.bitnet
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 31 May 90 07:35:50 PDT
From: CSKINNER%PPL.ESNET@ccc.nersc.gov
Subject: for infomac bulletin
To: hahna@milton.acs.washington.edu
date: 31 May 1990
Dear August,
I read your infomac bulletin on your Jasmine problems. I have been having
almost exactly the same problem with my Mac+ and Jasmine DD20 (purchased 11/88).
That is the directory would get corrupted regularly at about 2 month intervals
with symptoms such as you describe ( files disappearing from the desktop ).
Jasmine replaced the hard disk 3 times to no avail. I replaced ALL the system
files and applications from a trouble free Mac+ at work that used an Apple hard
disc but the problem keeps recurring. SUMII did not help at all and I have taken
it off my hard disk. My only solution now is to use '1st Aid Kit' every 2 weeks
to diagnose the disk as that can detect directory damage before files actually
disappear. When it detects a corrupt directory the only solution is to reformat
the disk. This is clearly a giant pain in the neck and until now no one has been
able to shed any light on the problem. In fact you are the first person I have
heard of with the same situation. I would appreciate a copy of any information
you get. Let me echo your request:
Any and all help would be appreciated
Charles Skinner
cc. info-mac@sumex-aim.stanford.edu
INTERnet: cskinner%ppc.mfenet@ccc.nersc.gov
BITnet: cskinner@ppc.mfenet
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 31 May 90 09:58 MET
From: KRAALINGEN%RCL.WAU.NL@forsythe.stanford.edu
Subject: Hide windows under Multifinder ??
Dear Net,
Is there a multifinder utility that shows only the windows of the
application that is currently active. I get a little nervous of the fact
that under normal operation of the multifinder you see all windows of
all applications that are loaded.
Daniel van Kraalingen / / / / /
Department of Theoretical Production Ecology / / / / /
Agricultural University of Wageningen / / / / __ /
The Netherlands /____ /____/ /__/ /__/
kraalingen@rcl.wau.nl
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 31 May 90 14:57 MET
From: Ed de Moel <DEMOEL@ruunda.fys.ruu.nl>
Subject: HPGL files and word
Hello netters,
Anyone out there who know how to import an HPGL picture file into
an MS-WORD document?
Thanks in advance,
Ed de Moel.
Physically: Electronically: Hybrid:
University of Utrecht BITNET: demoel@hutruu51 Phone: +31 (30) 532239
Princetonplein 5 DIALCOM: 12428:PGA005
PO BOX 80000
3508 TA Utrecht
The Netherlands
------------------------------
Date: 30 May 90 21:08:06 GMT
From: venus.tamu.edu!t1f4387@cs.utexas.edu (Farlow, T. Michael)
Subject: INFO REQUEST: Hard Drives International & Seagate/Quantum Drives
Greetings Netters,
My group here at Texas A&M is about to put up a proposal to purchase some 80meg
hard drives. We did some calling around to vendors listed in the back of the
recent MacWorld and found that Hard Drives International (HDI) has some of the
best prices for the Quantum Pro 82 (~$600). Recently I saw some mention in
c.s.m. about HDI but cannot remember if it was of a good or bad nature.
I am in need of information regarding HDI and need it ASAP (like tomorrow am!
Today is Wed. 30 May). If you could get back to me via e-mail ASAP, I would
certainly appreciate it.
Also, any info regarding the performance of the Seagate or Quantum drives will
also be appreciated.
Thanks in Advance,
Michael Farlow
Texas A&M University
T1F4387@venus.tamu.edu
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 30 May 90 18:57:33 EDT
From: Kevin Gallagher <Gallagher@gilgamesh.cs.umass.edu>
Subject: Memory manager frozen?
Something weird has happened to my Mac. Applications seem to be unable
to get any more memory then the initial allocation they get at startup.
This happens both with Finder and Multifinder. I have a Mac IIci with
5MB and am running System 6.0.4. The only way I have been able to use
memory hungry applications is to increase the application memory size to
4500K.
This first happened after I switched monitors. Normally, I use a Radius
two page display. I had to temporarily switch to a RasterOps and
immediately after the switch, my memory problem appeared. Going back to
my Radius monitor hasn't fixed the problem. I didn't install any new
software, inits, or cdevs when I switched monitors.
Any help with this would be greatly appreciated.
Kevin Gallagher
gallagher@cs.umass.edu
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 31 May 1990 15:05:11 PLT
From: Joshua Yeidel <YEIDEL%WSUVM1.BITNET@forsythe.stanford.edu>
Subject: Mickey Mouse Argument
It may be "fair use" for one person to make one copy of an image
stricly for personal use (e.g., a startup screen), but putting it in
the archive has only one purpose: to permit many copies to be made.
Disney licenses images for that purpose, and info-mac has no license.
I doubt that the Disney legal department would have much trouble
getting a court to see it that way (I mean, look what Apple Legal has
done with a much weaker case!)
My personal feeling is that copyright is an obsolescent idea in the
age of electronic scanning, networking, sound sampling, and digital
copying. Copyright itself is a concept associated with the Printing
Age; you don't need copyright protection when the only copying tool is
a quill pen. When the printing press became available as a copying
tool, the initial cost of making (even one) copy via typesetting was
so great that only pirates who intended to sell copies would make
them. Today's concept of "fair use" responds to the relative ease of
making copies (e.g., via Xerox) by legitimatizing single copies made
for personal use under certain conditions (which include "lack of
economic impact on the copyright holder" or something to that effect).
The upshot is that the borderline between "fair" copying and copyright
infringement shifts under the impact of changes in technology,
legislation, and social mores. Bill, if you want to stake out new
legal ground (and defend it!), you should keep the mickeys in. If you
want to keep info-mac secure from legal raiders, dump the mickeys.
Info-mac is so valuable, I would urge you to the latter course, but
you are the one doing the work, so I guess it's up to you. Best of
luck.
- -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - --
Joshua Yeidel YEIDEL@WSUVM1.BITNET
Academic Computing Services YEIDEL@wsuvm1.csc.wsu.edu
Washington State University (509) 335-0441
Pullman, WA 99164-1226
CLAIMER: This ain't no steenking flame.
DISCLAIMER: I'm speaking solely for myself here, not Washington State U.
FURTHER DISCLAIMER: I am not a lawyer, and none of this is legal advice.
For legal advice, consult a lawyer.
-- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- -
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 31 May 90 13:56:41 EDT
From: gateh%conncoll.bitnet@forsythe.stanford.edu
Subject: More on scanned images...
This was in the April MacUser Rumor Manager column...
"Commercial clip art generally is original work and doesn't violate
copyright laws, but a great deal of "public-domain" clip art (estimates
range up to 75 percent) consists of scanned copies of other people's
copyrighted work. This is at best illegal, and always immoral, and yet the
practice is widespread. (Check out any bulletin board or user-group library
to see exactly what we are talking about.)"
"Several magazines and free-lance photographers have banded together to
fight this practice. They plan to bring legal actions against both the
creators and distributors of this stuff, and they'll be asking for damages.
The first suits should be filed any day now."
Gregg TeHennepe | Academic Computing Services | Yes, but this
gateh@conncoll.bitnet | Connecticut College, New London, CT | one goes to 11...
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 31 May 90 11:17 PDT
From: Tigger <GREG@pomona.claremont.edu>
Subject: My Mickey the Sorcerer posting
As several people have been so good as to point out, my posting of the Mickey
Mouse images was copyright violation. Being a Disney stockholder, I suppose
I should have thought of that. Our esteemed moderator was indeed right to
remove the file from the archives. I apologize to The Disney Company for
violating their copyright.
As for the future, I am currently in the process of contacting Disney and
asking for permission to distribute the file via the Internet on a non-profit
basis. If I receive permission, I will re-post the file.
Greg Orman
greg@pomona.claremont.edu
greg@pomona.bitnet
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 31 May 90 10:05 MET
From: KRAALINGEN%RCL.WAU.NL@forsythe.stanford.edu
Subject: Omnipage for OCR ??
Dear Net,
We are considering Omnipage for doing optical character recognition of
scanned documents. As we have no experience with OCR, scanning etc. we
would like to hear if somebody has any negative experiences with
Omnipage. Thanks in advance.
Daniel van Kraalingen / / / / /
Department of Theoretical Production Ecology / / / / /
Agricultural University of Wageningen / / / / __ /
The Netherlands /____ /____/ /__/ /__/
kraalingen@rcl.wau.nl
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 31 May 90 14:43:28 MDT
From: "Bruce A. Carter" <DUSCARTE@idbsu.idbsu.edu>
Subject: Scanned Art Controversy
Regarding the current discussion on scanned art, why doesn't someone on
the net residing or working near a Disney facility ask Disney for a comment
on the topic? Or any other organization with a similar concern in the
matter.
My personal opinion: I think if a group or individual draws or scans
such material and sells it for profit he is in the wrong. I think if
someone draws their own material based on a copyrighted character or
representation for their own use they are free to do so. I think if
someone scans such material for their own use that they are in a grey
area... Even with copyrighted material "fair use" comes into play.
Bruce A. Carter, Courseware Development Coordinator = Boise State University
"It is intuitively obvious to the most casual observer"= 1910 University Drive
======================================================== Boise, ID 83725
InterNet/Domain: duscarte@idbsu.idbsu.edu = Office: (208) 385-1250
CREN (BITNet): duscarte@idbsu [] CompuServe: 76666,511 = Lab: (208) 385-1859
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 31 May 90 08:31:46 EDT
From: Mark_Vivino%NIHDCRT.BITNET@cu.nih.gov
Subject: Software for Mac Programming books
Awhile back there was much discussion in info-mac on the legality of
scanning comics, etc and distributing them. Does anyone know of the
legality of getting and/or giving out the code from such books as
Macintosh Revealed, Macintosh Programming Primer, and C Programming
techniques for the Macintosh? If the book is owned, shouldn't we be able
to obtain the code? Most of these books have a little form at the back
that we can send with money for the latest copy of the program. I'm not
being cheap, but it would be a real pain in paperwork to send for the
programs, at least in my job which is a government job. I'd like to get
the code from anyone who has it, provided it is felt that this is legal.
Thanks
Mark Vivino
Vivino@NIHDCRT.bitnet
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 31 May 90 10:00:47 -0700
From: duggie@jessica.stanford.edu
Subject: The ethics of posting copyrighted materials
I have problems with the "We can take it, they can't stop us, they
don't know, so who cares about ethics" arguments about copyright.
Being able to get away with something doesn't mean it's ethical. The
character of the victim (in this case Disney Inc., which is rather
hard-nosed about its copyright) doesn't negate the ethics issue
either. If we believe in intellectual property rights, we have to
accept that Disney has the right to determine what use is made of its
property. It is not for us to decide whether Disney should issue a
clip-art collection. And suppose they *are* planning to issue one--
is it our right to destroy their sales by flooding the market with
*their own* images?
And in case it's not clear, I'm not even talking about what is *legal*
here. You ought to do what's right regardless of whether it is (or is
not) legal. And if it turns out to be illegal, expect to fight for
your beliefs in court. Nothing wrong with that.
At any rate, there is a simple answer to this problem. Ask Disney
whether it cares about electronic distribution of scanned images of
its copyrighted characters. After all, wouldn't you ask a friend of
yours before posting his or her artwork on the net? What's the
difference? Is there a good, principled reason not to ask Disney? Or
are we just afraid Disney will say no?
Only you can prevent ethics decay!
Doug Felt
[I never intended to advance the "we can do it so it's right" argument.
I'm simply interested in exploring the legal situation related to posting
scanned images. However, I'd prefer to keep my explorations
hypothetical! -Bill]
------------------------------
End of Info-Mac Digest
******************************