Modding Ethic/Courtesy Rules (Agreed)

Hitman · 05-19-07, 01:06 PM

OK it is now the moment to extract conclusions and something positive out of this whole thing. Now the thread
is open again, and every modder is wellcomed to post his proposals.
Here's a few rules for keeping this thread useful:
1.- Only one reply per person, though you are encouraged to EDIT it later if you like what other proposals
say.
2.- Even if you don't specifically copy rules proposed by others, you can indicate that you approve them.
3.- Anything that is not a proposal of rules will be deleted for off-topic reasons.
4.- The thread will be open one week. Next friday I will close it and write down the rules accepted by ALL.
Hitman

JCWolf · 05-19-07, 07:10 PM

The Original Idea for me that haves all that I bellieve its correct
and covers most fields was opriginaly posted by Kpt.Lehmman...

For existing releases or new releases which state no use requirements, then:

#1: Ask permission [JJ: via the preferred means outlined in the readme if existing, otherwise via PM or via the modder's mod thread if one exists. If activity is on another board (like a German one, or Ubi's) then find someone that can post there and ask. Some of us are members of various forums for this exact reason].

#2 Do not assume that the individual received the message [JJ: I agree with this, but this policy does not cover where no response is received. If no answer, what's the approach? We need to cover for instances where modders have left the scene. So, use anyway with credits? Use only if x days have passed (a hard one to police considering not all mods contain readme files let alone release dates)? Or not use at all? Hmmm, a toughy. Personally, I think WHERE ALL AVAILABLE AVENUES FOR CONTACT HAVE BEEN EXHAUSTED (email, PM, forum, website...) then use with full credits is the best "win-win" solution for both players and modders. Players will benefit from the feature which the latest modder obviously thinks is good enough to add (they could always drop it if they think the dramas of lack of written permission was not worth the benefit of the inclusion), and the original modder will not go unnoticed. But in this instance the question needs to be closed and specific.]

#3 If permission is denied... accept it... and do not use the mod.

#4 "Blanket crediting" is unacceptable and lazy. If you are not sure how to credit something... ASK!!!

#5 If you are called on to correct your credits... don't get offended... just deal with it and fix it.

#6 If an organized mod package is actively supported by its creator... and you want to make an overlay for it that changes the original package to suit your taste... and then release it... deal with 1-5 first... and don't even think of including the entire original mod package. Doing so leaves the impression that you are the primary creator even if you say otherwise loudly and repeatedly... and is a NO NO!!!

05-19-07, 07:18 PM

I will stand by the majority decisions.
I state it here and now.
I will also adopt the statement in a read me as to how any mod I do may be used.
Should I not make that statement, then it is a community release to do with
as one sees fit.

Privateer

danlisa · 05-19-07, 07:40 PM

Apart from what I have previously posted.

I would like the term 'Guidelines' adopted rather than 'Rules'.

Apart from the fact that no-one will enforce these 'rules', I feel that the final 'guidelines' are only a recommended format for future modders to follow thus removing the ambiguity when someone wishes to use the originators files.

Just because someone makes their files public does not mean they can be used in a way against their wishes.

05-19-07, 01:06 PM	#1
Hitman Pacific Aces Dev Team Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Spain Posts: 6,109 Downloads: 109 Uploads: 2	OK it is now the moment to extract conclusions and something positive out of this whole thing. Now the thread is open again, and every modder is wellcomed to post his proposals. Here's a few rules for keeping this thread useful: 1.- Only one reply per person, though you are encouraged to EDIT it later if you like what other proposals say. 2.- Even if you don't specifically copy rules proposed by others, you can indicate that you approve them. 3.- Anything that is not a proposal of rules will be deleted for off-topic reasons. 4.- The thread will be open one week. Next friday I will close it and write down the rules accepted by ALL. Hitman __________________ One day I will return to sea ...

05-19-07, 07:10 PM	#2
JCWolf Admiral Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Spain , Crossing Gibraltar! Posts: 2,292 Downloads: 202 Uploads: 1	The Original Idea for me that haves all that I bellieve its correct and covers most fields was opriginaly posted by Kpt.Lehmman... For existing releases or new releases which state no use requirements, then: #1: Ask permission [JJ: via the preferred means outlined in the readme if existing, otherwise via PM or via the modder's mod thread if one exists. If activity is on another board (like a German one, or Ubi's) then find someone that can post there and ask. Some of us are members of various forums for this exact reason]. #2 Do not assume that the individual received the message [JJ: I agree with this, but this policy does not cover where no response is received. If no answer, what's the approach? We need to cover for instances where modders have left the scene. So, use anyway with credits? Use only if x days have passed (a hard one to police considering not all mods contain readme files let alone release dates)? Or not use at all? Hmmm, a toughy. Personally, I think WHERE ALL AVAILABLE AVENUES FOR CONTACT HAVE BEEN EXHAUSTED (email, PM, forum, website...) then use with full credits is the best "win-win" solution for both players and modders. Players will benefit from the feature which the latest modder obviously thinks is good enough to add (they could always drop it if they think the dramas of lack of written permission was not worth the benefit of the inclusion), and the original modder will not go unnoticed. But in this instance the question needs to be closed and specific.] #3 If permission is denied... accept it... and do not use the mod. #4 "Blanket crediting" is unacceptable and lazy. If you are not sure how to credit something... ASK!!! #5 If you are called on to correct your credits... don't get offended... just deal with it and fix it. #6 If an organized mod package is actively supported by its creator... and you want to make an overlay for it that changes the original package to suit your taste... and then release it... deal with 1-5 first... and don't even think of including the entire original mod package. Doing so leaves the impression that you are the primary creator even if you say otherwise loudly and repeatedly... and is a NO NO!!! __________________ JCWolf Mediafire SHIII Page User name : JCWolf Password : stefre@jcm

05-19-07, 07:18 PM	#3
Madox58 Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	I will stand by the majority decisions. I state it here and now. I will also adopt the statement in a read me as to how any mod I do may be used. Should I not make that statement, then it is a community release to do with as one sees fit. Privateer

05-19-07, 07:40 PM	#4
danlisa Navy Seal Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Cornwall, UK Posts: 5,499 Downloads: 45 Uploads: 1	Apart from what I have previously posted. I would like the term 'Guidelines' adopted rather than 'Rules'. Apart from the fact that no-one will enforce these 'rules', I feel that the final 'guidelines' are only a recommended format for future modders to follow thus removing the ambiguity when someone wishes to use the originators files. Just because someone makes their files public does not mean they can be used in a way against their wishes. __________________