A Tirade...

[MasterChief]

Forgive me a rant here.

I've been working on a freeware version of the Pacific Surfliner route, and have utilized dozens of downloads, work already done by others, who have graciously placed them at the public's disposal for use in just such endeavors as mine.

The tirade concerns those who create MSTS objects, put them up on websites for download, then place all kinds of restrictions on their use. These usually take the form of "you can't use my stuff for any reason unless you get my permission first."

Fine. I don't have a problem with getting permission. However, I'm running into a number of people who, for whatever reason, won't answer my e-mails. Don't know if their posted address is no longer any good, but I can't get in touch with them.

Had another "gentleman" who refused to allow me to change the textures on his terrain object (he used the ugly default green terrtex) to one that matches my scenery terrtex. Had to use his textures (one of three default terrtex textures), or no go.

OK, so I'll create my own objects, use the texture I want. I just thought I might save a little time by not re-inventing the wheel.

If you are going to go to the trouble to upload your stuff into the various libraries here and there, WHY won't you allow us to use these items?

I suppose its a control issue. Not like I'm going to get rich off your stuff in my route, its FREEWARE! Unlike you, I'll allow my efforts to be used for the enjoyment of all.

Thanks - I feel better now.

Jeff

[sniper297]

All hands man your ranting stations

[Link Expired]

My take on sillyassed freeware EULAs, if these suffering artistes are looking for fame and glory instead of just sharing and swapping stuff, why the hell don't they learn to smash guitars while dancing on stage? Learned my lesson long time ago, I download anything these days with a restrictive EULA it goes right to the recycle bin no matter how pretty it is.

[MasterChief]

RE: All hands man your ranting stations

I've quickly become the same way with the restrictive EULA - in the trash the download goes.

If any good has come of my frustration with these clowns, it has forced me to learn TSM and get creative at making things myself. Some of them are kind of crude, but I'm getting better!

I do like your idea of "abandonware," some of the stuff I've gotten is several years old now, probably why I can't get ahold of its creator.

In using this abandoned stuff, I guess it's like Dirty Harry says, "You have to ask yourself, do I feel lucky?"

I don't. Just my luck, one of these jerks would make an issue of it. So, in the trash it goes.

Jeff

[rdamurphy]

RE: All hands man your ranting stations

I have to agree. I know of one freeware scenery object creator that has all kinds of "approval" and "denial" conditions that basically make it impossible to use his stuff in a route - which is the entire point of creating the objects in the first place!

My EULA's consist basically of "don't make money, and if you do, send it to me!" Beyond that, I don't care. Actually, I'm very proud of the fact that some of my stuff was selected to be repainted for the Seaview Route, and that one of my cars turned out to have been exported to Spain, and are currently on a Spanish website painted for Spain's National Railway. The repainter did send me an email and ask permission, which I thought was cool.

I've got a number of simple scenery objects I've created for my route-in-progress, but feel free to send me a quick email if you need anything, I can usually put something together pretty quick - either TSM or GMAX. Oh, BTW, they'll come with no EULA and you can have them...

Here's an interesting article on how over the top the whole "copyright" issues have become...

Robert

[rgarber]

RE: All hands man your ranting stations

I should've put a stipulation in my EULA the stuff could be used on any BUT PO&N!!!

heh heh

Rich

[rdamurphy]

RE: All hands man your ranting stations

I've changed my signature line in honor of this thread!

"This post, Copyright 2007, may not be copied, sold, used in another forum, translated into another language, broadcast, and/or quoted without the express written permission of the author."

Robert

[Baldwinbob]

RE: All hands man your ranting stations

I've changed my signature line in honor of this thread!

Sue me! :-)

[rdamurphy]

RE: All hands man your ranting stations

LOL, Bob!

Robert

[sniper297]

The 6 year Pineapple-Coconut War

Might as well put in your EULA that the PO&N ain't allowed to STEAL your stuff, that would be ignored just as readily. :P

Funny thing, here's the PO&N EULA:

"FEEDBACK - WHAT A PIECE OF @%&*#!
I know there's a hell of a lot of prima donna sensitive artist types out there, but for those who haven't figured it out, I ain't one a' 'dose. Criticism is welcome, in any form, I went to a tough school and ain't gonna get my feelings hurt. If you're the sensitive type be advised, I expect to have my silly-assed opinions and hare-brained ideas slapped down with no ceremony, and I may do the same to yours. Wimps beware, I'm a junkyard dog. But if you got a Celery with a GEFORCE MX and the framerates suck, don't be afraid to say so.
I also have no anal-retentive ideas about controlling anything at all, this is a hobby, not a job. If you wish to upload this someplace else, hand out copies to your friends, be my guest - no EULAs, no Non-Disclosure Agreements. I really don't give a rat's ass where it ends up, or in what language."

Even with that permission in the readme, every time a new version of PO&N comes out I get emails from Italy, France, Spain, and England asking permission to upload to UKtrainsim or wherever.

Occasionally get it for Weeds, Dead Trees, Rusty Rails and 3Dtracks too:

"This software is public domain, use, abuse, modify, redistribute, fold, spindle, and mutilate. As is, no guarantees, Abandon Hope All Ye Who Enter Here."

Often that stuff is used without even mentioning my name, but again I really couldn't care less. Bill Burnett made me the god of coconuts (altho I really didn't do all that much for Sea View), name in the credits don't mean much after that!

[Seattle Amtrak]

For me, I feel like if I take the time to create something, I like other people to be able to enjoy my work as well. I just ask to be credited in the readme of a route using my stuff. I think people should be able to use it for pretty much anything they want. Freeware is meant to be free, including free of complicated EULAs. Just my two cents.

[chucksc]

<Deleted>

[rdamurphy]

Check the dates, Chuck, check the dates!

Robert

[sniper297]

Well, UNdelete it!

Resurrected posts be damned, as relevant now as it was 4 months ago, so let's hear your sillyassed opinion (SIR!).

https://www.trainsim.com/vbts/showthread.php?t=267682

https://www.trainsim.com/vbts/showthread.php?t=267110

https://www.trainsim.com/vbts/showthread.php?t=267902

Way to stifle the hell out of creativity and sharing, boys, probably a zillion mods, some of them really good, that nobody will ever see because all you suffering artistes who need to go back to kindergarten and learn the concept of sharing. This ain't sharing, it's lending out toys with strings attached. First ever brand new engine model for KRS is available for download over at UKtrainsim, nobody will ever see a repaint of that one from me. Downloaded, unzipped, read the EULA, deleted it, if I can't reskin it and FREELY share it with others it's useless to me no matter how beautiful it is.

Anyone who chooses to respond to this post must first obtain permission from every idiot who ever stuck a EULA on freeware. They won't mind you asking, since they apparently like getting email, it makes them feel like they're somebody important. You may quote portions of this text only for the purpose of obtaining permission to respond to it. I retain full ownership of this post, I am granting you a license to read it once. To read this post a second time you must obtain permission from NALW for each subsequent reading.

[chucksc]

So what HAVE you stolen that you are so adamant Jim?



ROFL that ought to light his jets!!!!!

[rgarber]

I was working on my new route and all of a sudden my monitored shook so I had to know the coconut god had to post something of a fit. Anyway, the best EULA ever... had to be Fozzy's. If you repainted his K36* you couldn't even post a picture of it! Now that man had some guts to not only write that EULA, but try to enforce it too.** And somehow he pulled it off!! Boy, we sure have had some good times, didn't we?

*Still part of one of the Ohio Rail add-on packs if I remember. We got his permission!

** Actually he explained his reasoning to me about the strange EULA. It's been years so I figure whatever he was talking about then is long gone. He was vying for a job or something like that and his K36 was part of his portfolio. He was afraid someone would see a repaint and get the wrong idea of the quality of his K36 so he only wanted his paint job to be seen.

Okay, back to route building...