At 09:23 AM 4/14/2001, Brad Thompson wrote:
> > Rogers Cadenhead
> >
> > Kal has released a 2,400-line dynamic IP addressing program under the
> > GPL. Considering the going rate for a programmer versus the going
> > rate for a tabletop RPG developer, he's probably contributed more of
> > monetary value to an open source community than anyone else on the
> > list.
>
>That assumes he's the only open-source programmer on the list. His
>programming efforts are commendable, but lets not take too big a spoonful of
>hyperbole.
Also, there's a big difference between writing code and writing creative
works, and, since I work full-time as a programmer and part-time as a
writer, I think I'm qualified to say this. Plagiarism is essential for
programming -- the 'cut&paste model of object inheritance' is vital.
Originality is only useful if you actually manage to improve on
tried-and-true algorithms -- many of which are long since optimized.
95% of what I do in a day of programming is, essentially, rearranging what
other programmers I've done, or what I've done earlier. This is pretty much
the job description. (I spent the last week quadrupling the number of QA
checks our database software performs. This meant taking the basic QA
module and replicating it about 80 times, since the PHB insisted 'no new
functionality', which meant (I asked) that I couldn't rewrite the QA engine
to run off a simple little 'rules' file instead of having EVERY GODDAMNED
CHECK hard-coded in! Sheesh! But I digress. (I did NOT write the original
engine. I asked my fellow programmer why it was written as it was, since I
know he's one of the best programmer's I've worked with and can do a hell
of a lot better. His response:I was a consultant then. Ah, job security
code! I know it well!))
Writing, on the other hand, consists of staring at a blank screen until
blood pours out of your eyes.
There's far fewer 'open source novels' than there are open source programs.
This is not by coincidence.
Nonetheless, I *have* contributed several hundred pages of 'Transformers'
fanfic to the world[1], which I technically retain copyright to (until
Hasbro decides to sue) but which are freely available all over the net for
people to share. And my slowly developing Twenty Sided Supers game will be
100% OGL, including my world backgrounds. HOWEVER -- this is a *choice*,
not an *obligation*, and those who wish to keep their purely creative work
PI have every right to do so.
[1]I am most pleased the 'Assimilation', 'To Walk Among Them', and 'A
Change Of Tune'. If anyone cares. Which I doubt.
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