Re: [Ql-Users] the british way
The website I am building uses the currently free IP2Location databases to identify the country relating to the IP address of any visitor. Using this and a category system I can block all or selected categories of information from reaching all or selected IP address ranges. In short I can block access to all the users in a hostile country except those using some form of proxy system. Freedom of information is important for a strong economy. Red tape and half-baked government legislation, reducing the privacy of millions by selling their ages, and increasing the costs of service providers will deprive the people of this country of facilities enjoyed by users in neighbouring countries. But some children may be marginally safer. It's one of those times when you genuinely wonder if they really are stupid, or intelligently progressing a hidden agenda. Richard Howe -Original Message- From: Ql-Users [mailto:ql-users-boun...@lists.q-v-d.com] On Behalf Of desin via Ql-Users Sent: 17 June 2022 18:27 To: ql-users Cc: desin Subject: [Ql-Users] the british way https://webdevlaw.uk/2022/06/17/data-reform-bill-cookie-popups/ ___ QL-Users Mailing List ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] Stuart Honeyball
I am sorry to hear of this. A lifetime of real achievements for the QL world. Blessings. Kind regards Richard Howe -Original Message- From: Ql-Users [mailto:ql-users-boun...@lists.q-v-d.com] On Behalf Of Dilwyn Jones via Ql-Users Sent: 29 March 2018 10:40 To: QL Users List Cc: Dilwyn Jones Subject: [Ql-Users] Stuart Honeyball I regret to have to report that I heard this morning of the death of Stuart Honeyball of Miracle Systems. He passed away peacefully last night (28th March) at 23:45 of cancer, according to his wife, Karin. I’m sure you’ll all want to join me in extending our condolence to his wife and family and express our great admiration and gratitude for all the work he did for the QL over the years. Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] Ciao Adelchi
Thanks for sharing this Davide. We are all one family. Rest in peace Adelchi. Richard Howe -Original Message- From: Ql-Users [mailto:ql-users-boun...@lists.q-v-d.com] On Behalf Of d.santachi...@libero.it Sent: 25 August 2016 08:55 To: ql-us...@q-v-d.com Subject: [Ql-Users] Ciao Adelchi Yesterday Adelchi Moscardini passed away. I think none outside Italy knew him as he participated mainly to the Italian QL meetings. He was 93 years old and till quite recently he was still active with his QL stuff. Since almost thirty years ago he did a lot of SuperBasic programming which mainly used for himself like preparing football pools coupons (named Totocalcio in Italy) which was something he did for a local lottery office for many years since 1990. Everything was done on a QL including printing. For sure the QL and the programming helped him to keep his brain healthy despite his age (he was still driving at least till two years ago). As he lived in the last years in my town I had many chances to help him keeping in good conditions his QL equipment (he used both super goldcard + qubide QL + QPC) or supporting him sorting out problems. It was always a pleasure meeting ad helping him. regards Davide ___ QL-Users Mailing List ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] Withdrawal of my personal Software Preservation Project
Thanks Derek I am pleased you found it useful, and pleased you bought it from Tom (last name Dolezal). I remember TK Computerware as a consistent supporter and retailer of QL and Z88 products at the time. Tom worked in Ashford, Kent but I think he moved in the 90s. When credit card fraud began to take hold. He 'sold' a Z88 to a fraudster who later phoned him and boasted about the fraud. Wolfgang suggested 'some people are just evil'. Well that kind of deliberate torture comes close. On a positive note I did get some fraudsters arrested one time, they were under 18 apparently. Their leader had the sense to leg it but must have had a few sleepless nights. Still, that's another story. Best wishes Richard Howe -Original Message- From: Ql-Users [mailto:ql-users-boun...@lists.q-v-d.com] On Behalf Of Derek Stewart Sent: 09 July 2016 08:41 To: ql-us...@q-v-d.com Subject: Re: [Ql-Users] Withdrawal of my personal Software Preservation Project Hi Richard, I bought a copy of Master Spy in 1989 from TK Computaware, aftwer a review in QL Wolrd. I must say that Master Spy was one of best QL software I have ever had. I am sorry for not buying it direct from you. Regards, Derek On 07/07/16 16:16, Richard Howe wrote: > Hi > > I don't often reply in the forum but I do watch it, and this thread > caught my attention. > > Issues: > 1. Integrity. > 2. Letting go of personal attacks by trolls, and the trolls > themselves. > 3. Copyright. > > 1. Integrity. > Those who appreciate the value of copyright do so because it is > 'right' to morally and financially support those who give energy to > projects that interest the community. Those who break copyright law > are ignorant of this, their minds commonly lacking respect for others. > Those who simply observe the law have missed the point. > > 2. Letting go. > When encountering people of low integrity it is important first to > recognise them for the ignorant people they are, and quickly say > 'bye'. It's easy to forgive them because they are obviously too > ignorant to dig themselves out of the pit they have dug for > themselves. Allowing trolls space in your mind will lead to your poor > health as you are allowing your own ego to mull over their negative > words. Simply know the community is constructive, and will dismiss them and their comments. Only trolls really engage with trolls. > Letting go is an important healing principle. > > 3. Copyright. > I would not be fussed if copies of my old QL programs were passed around. > However, I am writing a website that uses a few original ideas in > them, and I 'would' be fussed if the ideas were misused and undermined > my current project. The law allows for 'fair use' of parts of a > copyright item and this is wise. Special licences can also widen the > availability for users while protecting essentials for the author. > Perhaps I should mention that thirty years ago I wrote the Spy and Master Spy editors, Archivist, Mailfile, etc. > Back then there were enthusiasts but few buyers, much like today. I > haven't sold anything QL in the last twenty years. I seem to remember > all the profits were ploughed back into advertising. That's the nature > of the game sometimes. > > Kind regards > Richard Howe > > -Original Message- > From: Ql-Users [mailto:ql-users-boun...@lists.q-v-d.com] On Behalf Of > Rich Mellor > Sent: 07 July 2016 14:32 > To: ql-us...@q-v-d.com > Subject: Re: [Ql-Users] Withdrawal of my personal Software > Preservation Project > > On 07/07/2016 11:13, Wolfgang Lenerz wrote: >> Hi, >> >> Just my 2 cents worth. >> >> As I understand it, Rich came under attack from some (as yet unnamed) >> sources because he (i) sells old programs for the QL and (ii) sent >> take-down notices (or was suspected of sending them) to sites that >> apparently hosted copyrighted files without the owners' consent. >> >> It goes without saying that being attacked for these actions is just >> unacceptable. I'm alarmed, Rich, that this should cause you health >> problems. I believe that the echo your decision got on the list here >> shows that people here do support you. >> >> Except for the health problem, I'm not sure that I understand why >> this causes you to stop your preservation project. Surely the best >> strategy to adopt is to ignore the >> who bring these attacks - and go on as before ? >> >> I think, Rich, that you should publish here extracts of the offending >> emails or whatever form that correspondence took, together with the >> author's names, so that I, for one, could be sure not to have any >> contact with them. >> >> >> The discussion no
Re: [Ql-Users] Withdrawal of my personal Software Preservation Project
Thanks Wolfgang This is off topic so this is my last email on it. > What is the ethic behind parking spaces, that were free, being made into paid ones with a meter? > More on topic, what is the ethic behind copyright being extended from 50 to 70 years after Disney asked for it? Who can pass up an opportunity to defend parking meters? The parking meter money goes to various forms of government. The government spends most of its budget on social services, health, and education, all ethically driven pursuits generally in favour of the most vulnerable in society. Most other government funding is provided to activities also generally in the public interest, though not all. VAT ditto. The motivation for copyright law was ethical as it ensured writers were reasonably recompensed for the months or years of unpaid creative effort required before publication of works. The subsequent change to UK copyright law was to harmonise the UK's 50 years after death with the EU's 70 years, and coincidentally the US's 70 years. The change was more practical than ethical. There are numerous problems in the details of copyright law but they do not undermine the essential spirit of the law. I am not sure of Disney's role but the US copyright period gradually increased in six stages since the late 1700's. Certainly laws may not be ethical, and changes to ethical laws may or may not be ethical. Best wishes Richard Howe -Original Message- From: Ql-Users [mailto:ql-users-boun...@lists.q-v-d.com] On Behalf Of Wolfgang Lenerz Sent: 08 July 2016 08:39 To: ql-us...@q-v-d.com Subject: Re: [Ql-Users] Withdrawal of my personal Software Preservation Project Hi, > > Sorry. To clarify: Those who 'simply' observe the law are not > considering the ethics behind the law, they are just following the > rules. The point is to understand the ethics (the spirit of the law). Unfortunately, there isn't always one. What is the ethic behind VAT? What is the ethic behind parking spaces, that were free, being made into paid ones with a meter? More on topic, what is the ethic behind copyright being extended from 50 to 70 years after Disney asked for it? > I do appreciate your thought about dismissing a point of law that is > unethical. > The problem with ethics is that they are too changeable. My ethics may include not eating pork, or going arounb with a berad or some form of headgear, or women having less rights than men, or homosexuals being labeled as deviant etc ad nauseam. >> There are also people who are simply evil. > > In Buddhism the only sin is ignorance. Profound ignorance can result > in evil acts. The people themselves are not considered evil, though > they still get locked up. OK, I profess my ignorance on buddhism. However, there are people who, for example, hurt others, fully knowing what they are doing and that they shouldn't be doing it. To my mind, they are not ignorant to any degree. Sorry for going so far off topic. Wolfgang ___ QL-Users Mailing List ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] Withdrawal of my personal Software Preservation Project
Thanks Wolfgang >> Those who appreciate the value of copyright do so because it is >> 'right' to morally and financially support those who give energy to >> projects that interest the community. Those who break copyright law >> are ignorant of this, their minds commonly lacking respect for others. >> Those who simply observe the law have missed the point. >Oh, I can't let that stand. I might find a rule of law stupid, but still obey it, as it's the law. But in doing so, I may not have missed the point, on the contrary, I may have dismissed it (which is why I'd find the rule stupid). Sorry. To clarify: Those who 'simply' observe the law are not considering the ethics behind the law, they are just following the rules. The point is to understand the ethics (the spirit of the law). Oh and I just found the wiki for fun: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letter_and_spirit_of_the_law I do appreciate your thought about dismissing a point of law that is unethical. >> 2. Letting go. >>(...). It's easy to >> forgive them because they are obviously too ignorant to dig themselves >>out of the pit they have dug for themselves. >There are also people who are simply evil. In Buddhism the only sin is ignorance. Profound ignorance can result in evil acts. The people themselves are not considered evil, though they still get locked up. >> 3. Copyright. >> I would not be fussed if copies of my old QL programs were passed around. >> However, I am writing a website that uses a few original ideas in >> them, and I 'would' be fussed if the ideas were misused and undermined >> my current project. >Ok, but that would NOT be covered by copyright, in most cases! Agreed. I am still happy I wrote those programs. Thanks for responding. Richard Howe ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] Withdrawal of my personal Software Preservation Project
Hi I don't often reply in the forum but I do watch it, and this thread caught my attention. Issues: 1. Integrity. 2. Letting go of personal attacks by trolls, and the trolls themselves. 3. Copyright. 1. Integrity. Those who appreciate the value of copyright do so because it is 'right' to morally and financially support those who give energy to projects that interest the community. Those who break copyright law are ignorant of this, their minds commonly lacking respect for others. Those who simply observe the law have missed the point. 2. Letting go. When encountering people of low integrity it is important first to recognise them for the ignorant people they are, and quickly say 'bye'. It's easy to forgive them because they are obviously too ignorant to dig themselves out of the pit they have dug for themselves. Allowing trolls space in your mind will lead to your poor health as you are allowing your own ego to mull over their negative words. Simply know the community is constructive, and will dismiss them and their comments. Only trolls really engage with trolls. Letting go is an important healing principle. 3. Copyright. I would not be fussed if copies of my old QL programs were passed around. However, I am writing a website that uses a few original ideas in them, and I 'would' be fussed if the ideas were misused and undermined my current project. The law allows for 'fair use' of parts of a copyright item and this is wise. Special licences can also widen the availability for users while protecting essentials for the author. Perhaps I should mention that thirty years ago I wrote the Spy and Master Spy editors, Archivist, Mailfile, etc. Back then there were enthusiasts but few buyers, much like today. I haven't sold anything QL in the last twenty years. I seem to remember all the profits were ploughed back into advertising. That's the nature of the game sometimes. Kind regards Richard Howe -Original Message- From: Ql-Users [mailto:ql-users-boun...@lists.q-v-d.com] On Behalf Of Rich Mellor Sent: 07 July 2016 14:32 To: ql-us...@q-v-d.com Subject: Re: [Ql-Users] Withdrawal of my personal Software Preservation Project On 07/07/2016 11:13, Wolfgang Lenerz wrote: > Hi, > > Just my 2 cents worth. > > As I understand it, Rich came under attack from some (as yet unnamed) > sources because he (i) sells old programs for the QL and (ii) sent > take-down notices (or was suspected of sending them) to sites that > apparently hosted copyrighted files without the owners' consent. > > It goes without saying that being attacked for these actions is just > unacceptable. I'm alarmed, Rich, that this should cause you health > problems. I believe that the echo your decision got on the list here > shows that people here do support you. > > Except for the health problem, I'm not sure that I understand why this > causes you to stop your preservation project. Surely the best strategy > to adopt is to ignore the who bring > these attacks - and go on as before ? > > I think, Rich, that you should publish here extracts of the offending > emails or whatever form that correspondence took, together with the > author's names, so that I, for one, could be sure not to have any > contact with them. > > > The discussion now seems to center on whether all QL software should > be made available for free. I agree with much of what Marcel writes, > in that I also think that all of this 30+ years old software > **should** be free. Like Marcel, I'm in the process of releasing my > commercial programs as freeware, as and when I get around to it. > However, the decision to do so is mine and nobody else's. Likewise, > the decision for others to do so with their software is theirs. Do I > think that that old software should be released for free, like Marcel > does ? Sure ! Would I, like Marcel, refuse to pay a cent for any old > game ? Yup : if it isn't free, I don't even look at it. > > But I don't see what's wrong with copyright owners holding on to their > property, nor with Rich trying to sell some software and make some > money from it. I do not understand the mindset of people who believe > that these things MUST NECESSARILY be free and if they aren't, then > the copyright owners and traders are evil, and fair game for any sort > of abuse (I'm not accusing anybody on this list of thinking that way!). > > Is the fact that some copyright owners try to make a buck off their > software in any way nefarious or detrimental to the QL scene ? In > other words, do we loose users because of it ? I don't believe so. I > frankly fail to believe that someone new to the QL scene would look at > it, look at the software available, think < hey that's a game I must > have > and then go away when he discovers that the game is still being s
Re: [Ql-Users] Bestmalt Limited - QL Cadette and more
Hi Rich The author gave me a copy of QL Cadette at the time of its release. I seem to recall the A4 manual had a yellow front cover and red spine. All my QL software is in boxes in a shed but I will see if I can locate it in the next few days. It will probably be on a 20 year old floppy if it is still there. Best wishes Richard Howe (Tech) -Original Message- From: ql-users-boun...@lists.q-v-d.com [mailto:ql-users-boun...@lists.q-v-d.com] On Behalf Of Rich Mellor (RWAP) Sent: 07 April 2014 20:02 To: QL Users Subject: [Ql-Users] Bestmalt Limited - QL Cadette and more Does anyone have a copy of the software released by Bestmalt Limited - their best known title was probably QL Cadette? The copyright holders have confirmed that this can now be re-released as freeware - if only we can find a copy of the software !! Rich Mellor RWAP Software www.rwapsoftware.co.uk www.sellmyretro.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
[Ql-Users] A computer in a keyboard - Now there's a new idea?
Hi Thought you might be interested in this oddity (in between the ads): CoolShip Android all-in-keyboard computer - LinuxBSDos.com http://www.linuxbsdos.com/2013/02/22/coolship-android-computer-in-a-keyboard / Best wishes Richard Howe (Tech) ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Old QL Software - RON MASSEY ?
Hi Rich Not sure what Ron's doing now. I last spoke to him probably 1990. However I do have: QL User - February 1985 QL User - August 1985 QL User - September 1985 QL World - November 1985 QL World - December 1985 QL World - January 1988 QL World - February 1988 QL World - March 1988 QL World - April 1988 QL World - May 1988 QL World - December 1988 QL World - January 1989 QL World - February 1989 QL World - March 1989 QL World - April 1989 QL World - May 1989 QL World - March 1990 QL World - April 1990 QL World - May 1990 Best wishes Richard Howe (Computer Technician) Applied Research Kernel -Original Message- From: ql-users-boun...@lists.q-v-d.com [mailto:ql-users-boun...@lists.q-v-d.com] On Behalf Of Rich Mellor Sent: 26 November 2011 21:10 To: ql-us...@q-v-d.com Subject: [Ql-Users] Old QL Software - RON MASSEY ? Evening all, I was just wondering if anyone knew what had happened to Ron Massey or how we might contact him ? As he wrote most of the reviews of software for QL User, it may well be that he is sitting on a wealth of the titles which I am missing for the software preservation effort! -- Rich Mellor RWAP Software Specialist Retro Computer Dealer http://www.rwapsoftware.co.uk -- Try out our new site: http://sellmyretro.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
