Author: KarinsDad
Date: 09:36:40 08/25/99
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On August 25, 1999 at 01:48:38, Micheal Cummings wrote: [snip] >>I'm still reading the thread, but the word "hack" doesn't necessitate >>illegality. > >It does in this case, There are many meanings to word, but putting them in a >cetain context makes them clear, and if you cannot see that 'hack' in this >context mean to change the programmers original content. Then I suggest you get >the other two mederators to read it, then if they think it is fine. I suggest >you get steve to read that CCC is now a place for people to post rewards to >program hackers of chess programmers. And if he thinks it is fine then you can >leave this illegal activity up here. > >> >>bruce > >Bruce this line of thread should be given the boot. He is clearly asking for >someone to hack a program, thus changing the programmers original program. And >even worse he is putting up a price for someone to do this. > >So all I can see is that the moderators are allowing people to come in here and >put up a reward for someone to crack and hack a program. You can come make all >the comments you want, this is very clear, and is also very illegal. Well, Dann is on vacation, so he cannot comment. My comment is that I do not see this as hacking as in hacking to get an illegal copy of software to work without a CD. It does not change the use of the product or it's functionality and it does not deal with illegal copies. The program will work the same and if done properly, an interface of this nature would be using the standard input routines of the program to send data to it. If I write code to monitor my system and put it into a system service, it is mucking around with the OS. It is not changing anything, it is just monitoring. If I write code to enhance that monitor software and send the information to an Excel spreadsheet (a separate application), it is still ok. So, what have I done. I have pulled information from one location and sent it to another. If I write code to observe the behavior of one chess program and then interrupt the keyboard messages to another chess program and vice versa, and this results in the two programs playing chess against each other, I cannot perceive that this would be illegal. This may be illegal in some countries due to the fact that the copywrite laws on software are still basically in their infancy (yes, I know they have been around for decades, but they still are poorly written in a lot of cases). Talking about it must OBVIOUSLY not be illegal. Talking about ways to sell dope is not illegal, even if selling dope is. The purpose of the copywrite laws is to prevent software manufacturers from losing money due to someone else illegally stealing, using or distributing their product. Since interfacing two sets of software does not do that and in fact could increase sales of the software, I would have to think that any competent lawyer would be able to win a case of this sort even against obscure copywrite laws due to the intent of the copywrite laws. So, my two cents is that this discussion is ok. My recommendation is that if anyone does accomplish this goal, that they do not advertise "their product" here and that they get in touch with Charles and others via Email. And, if Steve thinks that this thread is borderline, I am sure he will quickly remove it. KarinsDad :)
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