Re: Hiding source code

>>>it's the WOW factor if someone see's you doing something good then they
want to copy it surely its a compliment to the original author. If you have
done some thing good then the way to protect it is copyright the idea. But
unless you are prepared to follow through and check for reproductions and
then sue there is no point.<<<

That about covers it.  I use Open Source Perl scripts in supporting roles on
many of my projects.  I not only keep the copyright info intact in the
original script, but often copy it into the main script.  For instance, I
use a slightly modified version of CGI::minimal out of a local lib on almost
every project, and credit Benjamin Franz at the top of every script just
after the use statement, when I create the first object.  There are quite a
few applications out there that I use which have attributes I admire, and I
actually *like* giving credit for the work to the original designers.  They
are often quite brilliant, and there's no way I am going to pass myself off
as having done what they did!

But, I guess that's an Open Source mentality.  All too often, we have the
"opposing camp", the Proprietary Source group, that insists on keeping
things secret.  This is ridiculous, because believe me, you are not going to
code something that can't be recreated elsewhere.  What a waste of
brainpower and resources to try to place artificial barriers around things
that can't be contained.

Regarding the issue of non-contributing theives living off your work: They
may get away with it now and then, but their own ignorance will show them
up.  Don't waste time one them.  Instead of buring off your energies
fighting an impossible battle, direct those energies into continous
self-improvement.  You will soon leave the deadbeats far, far behind...:)

D

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