OT: Flowers for the grave of MoM.

[Pirateiam]

Originally posted by Gandalf Parker:
It would be best if someone uses the "private message" button, or emails you a link. If its a patch site it might be OK but a link where you can get the game is frowned on here. (it is a forum owned by a game company after all)

There has been a long debate over the issue of abandonware. (I myself actually have an old copy I purchased of MOM long ago) I make a living programming (Indusrial Automation Ladder logic PLC's) so I understand the programmers side but when a software program is no longer sold or maintained by the intellectual property owner should it be abandoned to uselesness just to preserve that property?

Let me put to you in terms how my industry deals with it. Lets say I have written a ladder logic program to operate a waste water treatment plant.
I get paid for the program and work involved. While they own the software now, they can not copy my ladder logic (ladder logic is the code format) and use it in another PLC (programmable logic controller) without my consent. Now lets go 6 years into the future. The warranty has run out, I have moved on to another job and lets say they need to upgrade there plant. Should they be allowed to make changes to my code or even use it with slight changes in a new PLC? Now personally I do not have a problem with it unnless they are somehow making money directly from my code (reselling). Recently though I have run into company's that are trying to protect this code in industrial automation much like current game and applications on PCs. Customers go bannanas though since you are hindering any future upgrades etc... It is definately an interesting debate and I think it is far from being resolved.

As for abandonware I think a similar rule should follow. If the software is completely abandoned and as long as there is not a monetary gain the programmers should be flattered that someone is trying to revive there old work. Anyway who are we kidding the fighting going on is not about protecting the programmers intellectual property, it is about protecting the publishers pocketbook (not including Shrapnel since thay seem to be a very different type of game publisher)....but that is another debate.

[ June 11, 2004, 16:32: Message edited by: Pirateiam ]