On Wed, 4 Oct 2000, Ryan S. Dancey wrote:
> > What _exactly_ do you mean by computer software? Do you mean CRPG or do
> > you mean computer aids for DM's?
>
> My concern is with games, not utilities. I want to support OGL/D20
> utilities.
Good, I think.
> But a good utility begins to take on the aspects of a game. For example,
> one thing we're talking about for the Master Tools product is a "monster
> combat assistant" that will suggest courses of action to the DM for the
> monsters involved in combat based on current conditions in th game. That's
> clearly a utility, but how do I describe it in a license in such a way as to
> allow that functionality, but not allow someone to "play a game" with the
> utility.
<snort> Real computer geeks can play games with _any_ software. Just
some are more obvious than others. In this case, I think the words you
are looking for is "interactive software".
If the software is just very fast dice rolling and typing, it's a
utility. If it is run time interactive it's a game.
> > Hmmm... Not allowing "software" will prohibit plain text files as
> > well. I know we went over this before, but I _do_ have a lawyer who
> > _still_ says "All computer files are 'software'".
>
> This is a solvable problem, but it is something that should be addressed by
> the license.
This I _really_ want to see. Don't forget that in some computer languages
there is _no_ "object code" or "executable code" version. Perl,
to mind. I don't think you _can_ write a definition of "text file" that
doesn't also include a source code file, and in the case of perl, that's
all you have. Never mind JavaScript, ASP, VBscript, Word for Windows
macros (yes, you can do something with it other than write viruses, just
no one does....) HTML and XML, off the top of my head.
>
> > Oh kayyy... Now I am confused. I thought the D20SRD was going to be
> > released as OGC. Are the "Body Parts of Vecna" going to be in the D20SRD
> > or in a separate document?
>
> They will be identified as Product Identity and may appear in a 3rd
> document. (The game stats will of course be OGL).
>
What will be the status of the "3rd document". For that matter, what is
the 2nd document? Do you mean D20STL, D20SRD, "D20PID"?
> > Ok, given the above "no software" rule, does this mean that about 30% of
> > the monsters and magic items can NOT be used by a purely OGL software
> > product?
>
> Yes.
Shifting back to D20 software here, again, do you mean games or _all_
software.
--
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If guns are outlawed can we use swords?
