mfv@PacBell.COM (Michael Vargo) (10/23/90)
This posting has two questions, one specific and one general. General: I realize that people now use XFCNs as a way to distinguish their hyperware and also to protect their ideas to some extent. I agree that this is an excellant way for people to protect their work and also enhance the functionality of hypertalk. I also would like to use XFCNs that I find in public domain stacks in stacks that I write. For example, I got a stack from MacUser that has a XFCN called filename() that opens a mac file dialog box and returns the selection in it. (I believe this is a well known XFCN) I know from Mr. Goodman's book that this (or a XFCN that does the same thing) was written by Mr. Steve Maller who I see frequents this group. I want to know to what extent I must search to find out the original author of such a thing in order to make sure that I give credit (notice in about ... as well as royaltie$) where it is due. Using ResEdit 1.2 I looked at the XFCN but could not find out an author or copyright statement inside the XFCN itself. Now MacUser proclaims that all the icons in the stack can be used freely by the recipient as well as the XFCNs. How do I know if they didn't copy someone else's work? Sorry for the long rambling. The specific question is to Steve Maller. Is is OK to use filename() if I include a plug to the author? Do you still retain ownership to this function?? I have never used someone's XFCN before and don't want to get hooked on the idea if it is surrounded by lots of nasty copyright difficulties. If this is not a worn out subject in this group, I would be interested in a discussion, ie. other experiences etc. If this is a beat item, please email any experiences you would like to share. Sorry about the long posting. Mike Vargo what's the deal about this signature stuff??????