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Regarding the Essay

Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2003 5:53 pm
by maq0r
Yes, it's true, I will send a fully functional copy of MacroQuest if you send me a 200 word essay on why should I.

But have me "buy" it, I hate to get an email about a new Private Message and seeing PLZ THX GIMME KTHXKTHX.

And that is exactly the kind of people I'M NOT going to send it to.

I'm sorry guys if this is a little out of context, but well, the past few days I've gotten a few emails about this, and from people who wouldnt do the homework, and it's already spamming my inbox

Edit: I was also thinking, that some people might not like what I am doing, so if the general consesus is that I should stop doing this, please tell me and why and I will stop.

Thanks
Peace

Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2003 9:11 pm
by L124RD
Salutations,
Or, you can describe a fictional character in around 1000words and email that to MacroquestCompiledVersion@evilpumpkin.com and I will send you an old copy sinceI haven't compiled macroquest in a month!
Now that I've said that, I'm nuetral about your idea, I don't care... maybe one of the more active devs can input on this. I get alot of drag for my "admin" status but really, i'm deadweight ;p

Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2003 10:11 pm
by Vaft
I don't understand why you think people who have good writing and brown-nosing skills are more deserving of having a compiled copy than anyone else.

Anyone who puts forth the effort can compile MQ for themselves. Honestly, to me, you appear to be "power-tripping" and just want to have control over who gets MQ and who doesn't. And in that scenario, I don't think you have the right to be making that decision.

This is sort of reminiscent of sprite & mqgold.... I wouldn't have any objection to you compiling and giving away code that you wrote yourself, but some of the people who contributed code might have done so with the understanding that their code would be placed in the hands of fellow coders, not fellow writers, profiteerers, etc.. If that's true, then before you give away a compiled version, you should have permission from every single person who contributed code to the MQ project.

Sure, you aren't selling MQ for money like sprite was, but you do seem to be "selling" MQ for power (or having your inbox full of people kissing your ass). I don't think it's a good idea, and it appears to be disrespectful to the wishes of the coders who adpoted the "source-only" policy in the first place.

Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2003 10:39 pm
by maq0r
Quite the opposite my friend, I believe in the freely distribution of code, and with an Essay, yes, I will have the "power" to hand it over to who I think should hav eit, but if I deny you for example, you can always go back and get the source code and learn how to do it yourself.

Why do I ask for an essay?

I would just put it on a website free for everyone, compiling it and giving it out away is not against the GPL (last time I checked), and the reason I'm asking for an essay is because I'm not going to give it away to the 11 year old kids that ruin the game.
Granted, the ones that will write the best essays might use it for the same reason, but the odds arent the same.
then before you give away a compiled version, you should have permission from every single person who contributed code to the MQ project.
Do I really?, someone should clarify this to me, I was told by the GPL that I could just freely destribute it if I had it without asking permission because the license itself is one.

So if someone sells it is bad, if someone gives it for free is bad. What is good then?

I totally respect your opinion of course and will think about it.

Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2003 12:03 am
by dont_know_at_all
You Must Be This Tall To Ride This Ride----------------------->

I think a 200 word essay is a splendid test for those whose intelligence is not strictly in a technical field.

However, I do have some reservations:
1. maq0r could be an agent of SOE
2. maq0r could otherwise malevalent
3. maq0r doesn't know what he's in for after the third MQ patch in one day and he has fifteen or more "customers"
4. maq0r could decide to discontinue his service and then the complaints wil come here
5. not everyone can submit an English essay

Has anyone submitted a winning essay yet?

Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2003 1:08 am
by maq0r
Hey DKAA, Good you joined the Discussion =).
I think a 200 word essay is a splendid test for those whose intelligence is not strictly in a technical field.
Exactly what I thought, I evaluate what you say, how you say it and why you say it. And if the thought of you using it to exploit things and ruin somebody elses game comes to mind I will not hand it over.


However, I do have some reservations:
1. maq0r could be an agent of SOE
That might be true yes, but, I would send it to any email account (if I approve the essay of course), including the latest CVS Source.
As always, use at your own risk.
2. maq0r could otherwise malevalent
That too, There is nothing I could do or say that would make people trust me over a message board, if you send me the essay and I send it to you, the same rule applies about "Use at your own risk", I recommend running anti virus programs and everything.
I could say to trust me, but then again this are just letters.

3. maq0r doesn't know what he's in for after the third MQ patch in one day and he has fifteen or more "customers"
It's actually a one time only thing, if they want it again, they have to send a new and different essay.
4. maq0r could decide to discontinue his service and then the complaints wil come here
If I ever discontinue it, I will make a public announcement about it including the reasons why, and well, since it was free there shouldnt be any complaints (Ingrateful bastards =p)
5. not everyone can submit an English essay



Exactly.

Has anyone submitted a winning essay yet?
Yea, like 5 people submitted essays in like 2 days, picture my face getting 5 emails from getting PM in MQForum, was like WTF.

Of those 5 people, I only approved one and sent it.

So yea I kinda have high standards =p.

Peace

Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2003 4:51 am
by dont_know_at_all
Damn, once per essay is evil.

Like a crack dealer, lol.

You should post the winning essay, so other contestants can see what sort standard they need to reach.

Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2003 5:03 am
by Amadeus
This is kindof funny imo.

I don't see anything wrong with it myself. Personally, I don't think *anyone* should have a compiled version that doesn't have the 'drive' to sit down and learn the ropes, and the will to save their money to buy VS.NET. So, the harder it is to get a compiled copy, the better, in my opinion.

Seriously folks, It took me all of about 5 years to teach myself Linux, C, C++ and everything else that I know today without a SINGLE class or anyone over my shoulder to help. I mean, I could have compiled MQ in about a month (all it takes an organized mind and a willingness to learn)...but what I'm saying is that ANYONE can learn ANYTHING to ANY degree if they take the time. Hell, I'm a college music professor with two degrees in music ....I never took a single class in anything related to mathmatics or computer science in college ;)

Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2003 10:11 am
by Mckorr
Hey, I'll still send ya a compiled MQ for a donation of 100k pp to my Horse Fund. If ya got an extra 100k to waste you obviously don't need MQ to earn uber plat and screw up the game...

I will also accept a proof, in symbolic logic, of why you should be given the binary instead of learning to compile it yourself.

Amadeus may submit an original musical composition instead, as long as he does so under the GPL :)

As with maq0r these are one time deals. One donation per compile... well, Amadeus doesn't have to rewrite his score, just expand on it... oh, and I like bagpipes :)

And get them donations in fast, cause starting Monday I'm taking 10 days off from EQ to entertain guests and work on my motorcycle!

Personally, I think it ought to be 500 words, spelling and grammar correct, in whichever languages maq0r speaks. It should be just as difficult as learning how to compile it. So long as maq0r follows the GPL and includes the source code there's no way to stop him anyway :)

Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2003 11:35 am
by maq0r
Lol

Well my main is spanish =p.


Amadeus I know what you are saying, but let's face it, not every smart people out there is a computer wiz.

Haha McKorr, you think I should change the language to spanish? now that would be fun

Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2003 5:54 pm
by Valerian
yeah, you'd get people putting their well-worded and grammatically correct essays through a translator and mucking it all up.. would be good for a few laughs at least *grins*

Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2003 8:38 am
by pecos
Damn now I wanna send an essay just to see if I should switch my major to Literature.

And Amadeus, is it possible to play Moonlight Sonata 3rd Movement someday when you start learning at 25? Or do I just get a macro for that too :(

Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2003 3:40 pm
by Imperfect
If you can't either do some work and earn using MQ ie writing an essay as to why you could or compile it yourself you are too lazy to use MQ IMHO.

Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2003 4:33 pm
by Amadeus
And Amadeus, is it possible to play Moonlight Sonata 3rd Movement someday when you start learning at 25? Or do I just get a macro for that too
It has been proven, through multiple studies, that if you spent 1 hour per day on anything for five years, at any adult age, you will become either proficient or advanced on that skill, depending upon your personal drive to be successful.

This has been proven with everything from music to quantum physics, from young adults through retirees.


So, yes, if you practice the piano at least one hour per day for five years beginning at 25...without missing a single day, with the sole purpose of being able to read music well enough to perform Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata, you would be able to perform it.

By the way, I used this same concept to learn C++/Unix ;)

Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2003 5:27 pm
by compuboy
I think he has a good idea, but once they get you one essay, just give em the stinking binaries man. once per is aweful, but its your get-up not mine. More power to ya. If i didn't know how to get it working, i would send in the essay, but i would make another "temp" e-mail just in case. Not that i dont trust ya, its just, ya know.