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DarkBASIC Professional Discussion / Protecting your intelectual property

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APEXnow
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Posted: 14th Aug 2003 22:16
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I remember soneone else asking this elsewhere yonks ago but I couldn't remember or find anything related to it, but....

Developing third party (DBPro) based addons for public release, but without disclosing source code, is this possible? I.e. If I've written a set of functions to be used in DarkBASIC Pro, written in DarkBASIC, How do I release these extra functions available for public use but without having to disclose the source?

Any ideas or solutions are greatly appreciated.

APEX!
MSI/AMD Athlon 1300, 256Mb, 60GbHD, SoundBlaster Live!, GeForce 4 MX440-64Mb, Win2K, DX9, DarkBASIC Pro(PUv4.1)
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IanM
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Posted: 14th Aug 2003 22:49
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Hubdule released a compiler/precompiler for DBPro that partially compiles and encrypts your source code.

I can't remember the URL, but if you need it, just email me and I'll send it to you.
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MrTAToad
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Posted: 14th Aug 2003 22:52
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Of course, the best way is to convert the code (if possible) into a plug-in.


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Kevin Picone
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Posted: 15th Aug 2003 20:15
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APEXnow:

On occasion it's necessary to release 'public' and 'private' versions of snippets/libraries. Which may mean the public version has missing key functionalities or the main interesting routines are replaced with 'she'll do' versions.

Kevin Picone
Play Basic - Visible Worlds - Kyruss II
[url]www.underwaredesign.com[/url]
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ChrisS
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Posted: 15th Aug 2003 20:40
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Apexnow:

Dont bother trying, keep it all public. Its better to let people use your code and routines with a stipulation that you at least get some credit on the Splash Screen or Credits etc.

It gets your name out there which is better than for you.

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MrTAToad
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Posted: 15th Aug 2003 21:59 Edited at: 15th Aug 2003 22:03
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Quote: "keep it all public"


I dont totally agree with that - I dont really want people moaning when something I've created (and works) is modified by them (and now doesn't work). I do occasionaly release the code to my plug-ins, if I'm feeling generous (but then I make sure no-one can compile it anyway). In addition, I dont want people nicking my code and then claiming its their's. I like control
In addition, if you want to use a routine, you shouldn't know how it works (just that it does).

However, I do know IanM likes to make things more public...


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APEXnow
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Posted: 15th Aug 2003 23:28
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I have to agree with MrTAToad, basically it comes down to the fact that I've created a set of functions which will benefit a majority of people who require them, but they are still my functions. I don't want people to hack or modify them and take the credit for releasing them under their own name. Most people are sincere when using other peoples code that they do credit them on the title screen etc. If I release my code as public, I loose that control, plus I may want to be in a position to release software that requires some form of incentive to continue using it.

IanM, I will email you, thanks for the info

APEX!

MSI/AMD Athlon 1300, 256Mb, 60GbHD, SoundBlaster Live!, GeForce 4 MX440-64Mb, Win2K, DX9, DarkBASIC Pro(PUv4.1)
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IanM
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Posted: 20th Aug 2003 01:28
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http://www.colorarts.de/prepro/
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trager
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Posted: 20th Aug 2003 01:35
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Intelectual hypocrisy....

no I better stop

There is no answer only more questions.
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IanM
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Posted: 20th Aug 2003 01:50
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People have the right to do what they want with their own software, including releasing it their way.

If you don't like the fact that they are not giving you their source code, then you are free to write your own
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Rob K
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Posted: 20th Aug 2003 03:29
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@ApexNOW

Make sure that you clearly document any global resources required by your functions (arrays, variables, object/image numbers, types), to prevent confusion for the user (so they don't try and declare a global with the same name for example)

I've tested Hubdule's system and it works pretty well on the whole


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Andy Igoe
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Posted: 20th Aug 2003 03:45
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Source code is a very gray area.

In DBPro there may well be 10 solutions to a problem, but only 1 of them has the best balance of accuracy / speed for any given project. If I happen to see your code and learn from it, perhaps even by dabbling with the code, and perhaps I opt for a similar solution - or maybe I just see your code and learn nothing, am I then forbidden from then ever using that solution in the future?

I mulled over this question for quite some time before I released DBPro Programmers Resource and consequently came to the conclusion that source code protection is innefectual and, where I am giving code to a less able programmer (ie: someone who cant write it themselves) then I probably dont want credit in their game, and they would benefit more by being able to see the code if they want too then I would by protecting it... Hense my resource is fully open source.

Of course only a few of my games are open source... That's a different story

Oh by the way, I know my spelling isn't great but 'Intelectual'... Of all the words to spell wrong! *snicker*.

Pneumatic Dryll
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APEXnow
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Posted: 20th Aug 2003 10:28
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Intelectually speaking, my speling is perfeck! lol

IanM, thanks for the link.

APEX!

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