Author: Will Singleton
Date: 01:27:14 03/19/00
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On March 18, 2000 at 11:13:05, Richard Heldmann wrote: >Just a short thank you to all computer chess programmers who've provided their >source code with their programs. I am a novice programmer with "big" >dreams(yacp) and the opportunity to look at their source code and learn is very >much appreciated. > >Thank you all, > >Rick Heldmann I dissent, not that it matters much, but what the heck. Sharing ideas, time and enthusiasm with others is great. Actually distributing complete source, while very interesting to have and beneficial in many ways, does some things which together outweigh the benefit: - It diminishes the need to create, therefore reducing creativity, which hinders advancement. - It allows, or rather encourages, cheating. - It causes people to question a program's heritage, if a program performs well. - It makes some of us folks, who have worked for years studying and caring about computer-chess, mad as hell because others can pick up some source, fool with it for a week, and claim a new program. There are also people who spread rumors. When they contact me about some suspected source-code cheat, I now decline to get into it. That's because as long as people are releasing source code, there is simply no way to know who is real and who isn't. I also find it odd that some rumor-spreaders are also those who release source. Beyond that, I adhere to the tenets of free markets, which are well known. In the end, society is better served due to the effects of competition. Sharing source reduces competition, therefore creativity, and ultimately, performance. I realize there are good people who disagree, but I think my view is worth mentioning. Will
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