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Request Apps Guidelines

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wsm23
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Request Apps Guidelines

Premise:
Posters frequently ask for a portable version of a certain software. Usually this is a common type of software that leaves settings or files in some part of the local PC if it is not modified.

John or one of the many frequent visitors to the forums might possibly see if that software can be modified and made portable or not.

Some guidelines:

  • PLEASE search before you post - very often it will have been requested before or may even be in development. You can also search the web to see if the software already exists, is being developed or has been mentioned before.
  • BEFORE Posting please check the license of the software and make sure it is BOTH free and open source. (more about this below). This no longer applies, however we still prefer open source.
  • Please provide a description of the software you are requesting.
  • Please provide a link to the manufacturer's or developers web site.
  • PLEASE do not request the latest version of your favorite software so soon after it is released. ("Hey did you know that the alpha/beta/new version of __________ just came out a couple of hours ago? When will you have it ready on this site?") We tend to hear about updates on all of the software that we produce for this site before most people do.

Freeware vs. Open Source:

  • Freeware licenses usually mean you don't have to pay for the software, some sites may charge a distribution fee , but the software itself is free. Most licenses do not allow the software to be modified at all prior to redistribution.
  • Open source software usually means that the developer or author has provided the source for his software and allows users to modify and/or redistribute the software. Usually this software is also free.

Portable vs. "Just Works™"

There are quite a few applications that will definitely run from removable media: floppy, CD, portable hard drive, USB flash drive. That does not necessarily make them "portable".

"Just Works™" means:

  • Settings might be retained between computers.
  • May leave registry settings
  • May leave files on the computer

NOT portable means:

  • Program requires other programs to function or special access. OR
  • Program leaves settings in the registry. OR
  • Settings cannot be taken with you.
  • Program must be installed

Most programs that are run on any Windows computer leave traces in the MUIcache or the Windows Prefetch area. In order to get some programs to work from a single folder or removable media most must be modified so that their settings stay within that folder or at least the single drive. This is where the license and source are important. In order for the program to be modified and made portable it must permit modifications and redistribution. And the source must be available so that programs and developers can properly modify it.

Summary:
So to summarize, just because it is "free" does not mean it can be modified. Freeware, shareware, trial (etc) are not usually open source. If it is freeware, please check the license first to see if it can be redistributed and modified.

It is illegal to modify and redistribute commercial, or closed source software. We do not support or tolerate that around here.

When requesting an application, please provide the following information:

  • Name of the program
  • Website for the program
  • Description
  • License (e.g. Freeware, Open Source, GPL, etc)
  • Anything else which might help

An example request is displayed below:

Program: My Example Program

License: Open Source/GPL

Description: An example program.

Website: http://www.example.org/

Other: 5 registry entries found under HKLM\MyEx
Ryan McCue
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Formatting

wsm23, can you convert all the
-Blah *boom*
-etc
to unordered lists please? Thanks.

  • Maybe mention the licenses list at http://opensource.org/
  • How 'bout this: "If it is freeware, please check the license first to see if it can be redistributed and modified."

L
----
Ryan McCue
Santa: Ho Ho Ho!
Kim: Yes, thank you Santa, I am.
(Kath and Kim)

"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate."

wsm23
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Good suggestions.

Thnx

8)
Life is about the journey not the destination!
Live today like it is your last!

Do you do the right thing even when no one will know you did?

\(^.^)/

Life is about the journey not the destination!

The Kazoo Spartan

Ryan McCue
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Right

Few more things Blum
Maybe change the link to Google so that the words "Search the web" at the start of the sentence are linked?
Same with Open Source and Freeware.
Also, maybe change the underscores to [insert app name here].
----
Ryan McCue
Santa: Ho Ho Ho!
Kim: Yes, thank you Santa, I am.
(Kath and Kim)

"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate."

wsm23
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Joined: 2006-01-09 22:05
More good suggestions

I kinda like the underscores, I don't think that is such a big idea.

What do you think of the content? I think it reflects the general mood around here. I thought I would put something in writing because there a a number of practices or policies around that were not elaborated on, especially the requested apps section. It is also where John could get into trouble if people are posting illegal software.

8)
Life is about the journey not the destination!
Live today like it is your last!

Do you do the right thing even when no one will know you did?

\(^.^)/

Life is about the journey not the destination!

The Kazoo Spartan

Ryan McCue
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Yeh

Looks pretty good.
Just one more thing Wink
Maybe get rid of the dash at the end of Premise or change it to a colon.
----
Ryan McCue
Santa: Ho Ho Ho!
Kim: Yes, thank you Santa, I am.
(Kath and Kim)

"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate."

wsm23
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Joined: 2006-01-09 22:05
Done

Done

8)
Life is about the journey not the destination!
Live today like it is your last!

Do you do the right thing even when no one will know you did?

\(^.^)/

Life is about the journey not the destination!

The Kazoo Spartan

Frank D. Hubeny
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Last seen: 12 years 2 months ago
Joined: 2006-06-29 06:53
Hello wsm23; I like it but

Hello wsm23;

I like it but you may want to add a short warning about checking the license even if th item is open source. It may have some thing in it that you are not allowed to do.

I read something about firefox, or thunderbird. I do not remember but it seemed to say not every thing is allowed.

Sort of like some of John's stuff. One of the developers could do a much better explanation then I just did.

Frank D. Hubeny

wsm23
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Already mentioned

I think this answers your question.

So to summarize, just because it is "free" does not mean it can be modified. Freeware, shareware, trial (etc) are not usually open source. If it is freeware, please check the license first to see if it can be redistributed and modified.

8)
Life is about the journey not the destination!
Live today like it is your last!

Do you do the right thing even when no one will know you did?

\(^.^)/

Life is about the journey not the destination!

The Kazoo Spartan

wsm23
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Last seen: 12 years 1 month ago
Joined: 2006-01-09 22:05
Added

Previous post about Portable vs "It works"

8)
Life is about the journey not the destination!
Live today like it is your last!

Home is the place where, when you have to go there, They have to take you in. - Robert Frost

\(^.^)/

Life is about the journey not the destination!

The Kazoo Spartan

Ryan McCue
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AAAHHH!

Non. Semantic. Web.
*shivers*
(I'm referring to not using ULs BTW)

You didn't explain what "Just Works™" (note the TM) is.
I would say:

  • May leave registry settings OR
  • May leave files on the computer
  • DOES keep settings between computers

Oh, and I might make this official and sticky it soon Wink
----
Ryan McCue
Santa: Ho Ho Ho!
Kim: Yes, thank you Santa, I am.
(Kath and Kim)

"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate."

wsm23
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Last seen: 12 years 1 month ago
Joined: 2006-01-09 22:05
Semantics

I grew up with _________________. (Translated as fill in the blank) Does not really matter though. I think the point is still made either way.

Also look at the Portable vs "Just Works™" area again. I did some editing.

8)
Life is about the journey not the destination!
Live today like it is your last!

Home is the place where, when you have to go there, They have to take you in. - Robert Frost

\(^.^)/

Life is about the journey not the destination!

The Kazoo Spartan

Ryan McCue
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Joined: 2006-01-06 21:27
Oops

Communication error.
UL = <ul>
UL = Unordered lists Blum
----
Ryan McCue
Santa: Ho Ho Ho!
Kim: Yes, thank you Santa, I am.
(Kath and Kim)

"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate."

wsm23
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Last seen: 12 years 1 month ago
Joined: 2006-01-09 22:05
I know.

I am no dev or programmer, but I am picking up a lot by hanging out here.

I thought ul meant underline the first couple or times I tried to use it in a post.

8)
Life is about the journey not the destination!
Live today like it is your last!

Home is the place where, when you have to go there, They have to take you in. - Robert Frost

\(^.^)/

Life is about the journey not the destination!

The Kazoo Spartan

Ryan McCue
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LOL

Nice. Biggrin
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Person 2: What?
Person 1: I can't remember, I've forgotten.

"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate."

Steve Lamerton
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Joined: 2005-12-10 15:22
So,

you've been made a moderator, congratulations.

Yours

Steve Lamerton

wsm23
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Shhhhh....

...that might have slipped out accidently

8)
Life is about the journey not the destination!
Live today like it is your last!

Home is the place where, when you have to go there, They have to take you in. - Robert Frost

\(^.^)/

Life is about the journey not the destination!

The Kazoo Spartan

Ryan McCue
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Joined: 2006-01-06 21:27
Yeh

Shut up Steve or I'll delete your post Blum
----
Ryan McCue
Santa: Ho Ho Ho!
Kim: Yes, thank you Santa, I am.
(Kath and Kim)

"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate."

wsm23
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Last seen: 12 years 1 month ago
Joined: 2006-01-09 22:05
Ryan or John

Are we ready to make this official and sticky it?

I would like to use this as a reference for people who ask for, commercial, freeware, shareware versions of software. It could also be used for the short poster who asks for even open source free software, but provides no linky or info.

8)
Life is about the journey not the destination!
Live today like it is your last!

Home is the place where, when you have to go there, They have to take you in. - Robert Frost

\(^.^)/

Life is about the journey not the destination!

The Kazoo Spartan

Ryan McCue
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It looks good

I'll make it a sticky.
----
Ryan McCue
Person 1: Oh my god. You will never believe what just happened.
Person 2: What?
Person 1: I can't remember, I've forgotten.

"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate."

wsm23
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Joined: 2006-01-09 22:05
Updated with Ryan's format suggestions

8)
Life is about the journey not the destination!
Live today like it is your last!

Home is the place where, when you have to go there, They have to take you in. - Robert Frost

\(^.^)/

Life is about the journey not the destination!

The Kazoo Spartan

Ryan McCue
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Joined: 2006-01-06 21:27
Updated

I've updated it properly Wink
----
Ryan McCue
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  • Ballroom Blitz - The Misfits
  • Manic Monday - Cyndi Lauper
  • I Don't Like Mondays - The Boomtown Rats

"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate."

wsm23
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Thanks

I thought you might.

Drupal formating is not as natural to me.

8)
Life is about the journey not the destination!
Live today like it is your last!

Home is the place where, when you have to go there, They have to take you in. - Robert Frost

\(^.^)/

Life is about the journey not the destination!

The Kazoo Spartan

Ryan McCue
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Joined: 2006-01-06 21:27
Actually

(God, I hate that word Wink ), It's (X)HTML.
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Ryan McCue
Cube Games
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"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate."

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