Dave
Thanks for the warning. I tried Hexwars for nearly a year, and left if over a year ago, mostly because I was a bit depressed that I paid money for a service that was in a constant state of development. I came back to try it again about a month ago, mainly because I love the SPI games and Hexwars had published a couple of my oldtime favourites. Unsurprisingly, I found that once again I was paying money to fix someone else's software or (worse) bad interpretation of rules. I wish Hexwars well, but it is not my cup of tea. I have been a longtime user of Cyberboard, and while I have used Vassal a couple of times, I haven't given it the go it deserves - partly because it doesn't have any SPI games. Anyway, I am dimly aware of the ban on storing SPI modules. I too, am of the opinion that the copyright position being taken by Hexwars and Decision is erroneous. There have been extensive debates within the Cyberboard community about copyright with regard to Cyberboard modules, and a clear position has been achieved to the satisfaction of the Cyberboard community which seems to be unchallenged by Hexwars and Decision. Below are two links, the first being the Cyberboard criteria, http://yap.brainiac.com/subpol.htm And the second being the US Copyright Office description of what is copyrightable as a game: http://www.copyright.gov/fls/fl108.html My position is that the SPI modules I will produce will not be scans of maps or pieces, will have no copyrightable material added (like the rules). Everything will be lovingly (and laughingly - I am no artist!) made in paint.net (or similar). A friend and I are going to play these modules because we both have the games and are about 15,000 kilometres apart. I am curious though. The ban on SPI modules appears to be storing the module on the website and not making it accessible to gamers. I assume there is no ban on gamers going into vassal and playing a quiet game using the vassal server? Anyway, my thanks to Gary and Torsten for their assistance - my ludicrously simple Modern Battles: Wurzburg module now has the ability to randomly generate numbers that will be completely unbelievable to both sides. Cheers Bill From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of David Briggs Sent: Wednesday, 8 November 2006 12:46 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [vassalengine] dice roller Bill, I encourage you to continue with your module but I thought it might be prudent to warn you about SPI titles on the Vassal site. A web-based company called HexWar has supposedly been given sole permission by Decision Games to post SPI game modules on the web. Rodney has indicated that he will honor this claim and will not allow SPI titles to be posted on the Vassal module page. I personally disagree with Rodney's decision and am quite convinced HexWar hasn't a legal leg to stand on, mainly because, Decision Games, who own the copyright to these SPI titles, refuses to comment on the situation nor do they publically support HexWar's claim. Repeated attempts by several gamers, myself included, to contact Decision Games about this issure have never been answered. Of course all this does not prevent you from making your module and using it for your own purposes. I have made several SPI game modules myself (including the Modern Battles quad) and play them by email. Good luck with your module and if you have questions there are lots of talented people here that can help you. Just thought I'd give you a heads up on the SPI situation in case you were going to try and upload your module on the Vassal site. Dave Briggs ----- Original Message ----- From: Bill Clancy To: [email protected] <mailto:vassalengine%40yahoogroups.com> Sent: Tuesday, November 07, 2006 12:56 PM Subject: [vassalengine] dice roller Gents I am in the process of putting together my first module of the SPI game Wurzburg using Vassal 2.8. The map and the pieces are in place, but how do I get a button for dice rolling? I am a complete novice at this, so much help and guidance would be appreciated. Cheers Bill [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vassalengine/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vassalengine/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
