MacroQuest64

As I stated before, SoE *did* specifically target MQ. The change that kicked users for offset hacking was put in, and working, and then they realized how well that worked and they decided to incorporate the detours in their kicks as well.

Domosan

I'm not a programmer even though I've contributed a few macros. The macro language itself is easy to learn. I don't know how to do C or C++. I have Visual Studio 6 Pro someone gave me a copy of but I've never used it. It seems that I'd have to install all kinds of Dev stuff but I'm not a programmer and don't have a fast connection.

My vote would be to release it.

There are no more mega plat exploits. Plus there's the one second combine nerf.

Also you can't use the old UI anymore and there is no clicks so I doubt MQ is as much of a force to be reckoned with as it used to be.

Well... ok. Maybe they did actually put something in there for MacroQuest. Bit I highly doubt it was their main priority or even their *main* goal. They wanted to stop offset hackers. While they were at it, they may have stopped MQ as well, but that was probably just a after-thought. Either way, instantly going "underground" or even just keeping it source-only isn't going to change a damn thing, AND it's an overreaction. You are hurting the MQ community be doing this a hell of alot more then you are helping it, even when only considering those that *can* compile it.

And what about those that donated for this? Suddenly they can't use it because they aren't good enough with computers to compile it? I mean, it's easy to do if you know HOW, but it's not one of the first things people usually learn about computers.

And when I said it wasn't going to change a damn thing, I mean that totally. SOE will nerf MacroQuest just as fast as they would when you released the binaries. My main point still stands, expecting them to honor some unwritten agreement you pulled out of a hat is a bit gullable. I personally don't think (no matter how this goes) that SOE will bother doing too much against MQ directly anyway, but if they do, it wont be because of the userbase or because there are binaries available. And making it source-only will not stop SOE from fighting MQ if they are going to do it anyway, it will only stop a HUGE chunk of your community (dare I say the majority?), from being able to use the working version.

And seriously, SOE can compile it, maybe half (more or less) of your community can't. So suddenly, SOE is part of the "in crowd", and half of your normal users, including people who donated, aren't? I fail to see the logic here.

MacroQuest was originally released on SourceForge, open source, with binaries, and advertised (links were posted) in quite a few places, including HackersQuest, where SOE has been known to visit. It's original spirit was not one of an exclusive club or anything even remotely similar. It was originally intended for anyone who wanted it period. Finding out what exactly SOE hates the most about MQ and nerfing it I can understand, but this attitude towards it I cannot. I would embrace an MQ nerf gladly, but killing the spirit of opensource, for everyone, I can't see as a good thing. This isn't a hacking program or cheating program or even a SEQ, and was never intended as one of those "underground" things. Plazmic himself said so. It would be easy to incorperate "/goto loc x,y,z" and "/runspeed #" and "/enduringbreath ON" etc into it. Plazmic chose not to because he didn't want this to be underground or hidden. He said so himself several times. Only two things have been changed since that time, Plazmic is MIA, and SOE threw a half-assed extra-credit nerf our way. One intended for the hacking people, yet expanded to include us as well, as an after-thought.

More people interested in MQ is a POSITIVE thing, not a negitive one. More people mean possibly more devs, more effort, more interest, bigger project, and a higher chance SOE will realize that these features only ADD to the enjoyment of the game for ALL. Not to mention more donations. . Don't alienate your userbase by cutting half of them out of the picture, that just lowers the value of what has been accomplished with MacroQuest.

I have an asshole. Yours stinks.

- Icon

I must admit I've seen some good arguments (read: opinions) in this thread, and most of them seem to make at least a little bit of sense. My original post was based mostly on some kind of elitist attitude, which has no place in an open-source project. The whole idea behind open-source is sharing ideas, opinions, and resources to make a good project for all.

I'd like to retract my vote for source-only, and go with the binary+source release.

This entire thread is silly anyway since it is choice of the admins of the project rather to publish source or binary at this site, and not the choice of any of the people who started or voted in this thread.

Open source means open source, it means you can download, read, and use, and even modify the source code.

It does not mean this project is some sort of democratic assembly which you the user of the program automagically get to have a vote in.

Just because someone visits this website, posts, and downloads the program doesnt entitle them to try and dictate the direction of the project. I do not recall L124RD (the current project admin) ever asking for a vote to be taken. I havent seen any, "Salutations, source code or binary?"

I would also suggest that people who want to help further this project begin by communicating with the project admins, and not just posting threads declaring themselves in charge of things.

First, I didn't declare myself in charge of anything, I simply was interested in the opinions of the developers.

Second, I won't release anything based on this poll. I wanted to get a feel for the opinions of the community, which is why this is a "poll", not a "vote".

Any one of us could release working binaries. Sure, L124RD could nuke the post, but not before several dozen people got hold of the link, and from there there wouldn't be any stopping it from getting out.

No, I haven't posted any links to the binary zip file. I haven't uploaded it to Sourceforge (though I see work has been done on updating the CVS, thanks!) Nor have I replied to the several PM's requesting the binaries, and won't if the other devs say "no". Ya see, unlike many here I do respect the hard work others are doing, and see no reason to undermine them.

For those interested, the poll was marginally in favor of releasing the binaries, winning by about 10 percent. Does this mean anything? Not at all. L124RD is the admin, he'll make the final decision (which I believe he already has.)

In the meantime I'll continue to work (when I can) on porting MQ to a free compiler, so those who either can't or won't buy VC++ can still compile. After that it is up to them; if they won't "fill their hard drives with development tools" can pound sand.

L124RD, I think we've beat this one to death, how 'bout locking it?

Salutations,
Being forum admin I can reply after you've locked *giggle*