dmantione

Every now and then, some software vendor starts to drop their entire code base and recode a new one in .NET. Named reasons are that it is the next big thing in Windows programming, the coders like C# compared to their previous language, Mono can offer an escape to the Microsoft lock-in that current code has or perceived security because of the managed environment. However, these reïmplementations usually follow a recurring pattern: It is often not realised that .NE

[quote who="I-Mod Stefan" reply="8" id="1922764"]no code changes necessary, which ones did you thought would need it? [/quote] Well, what do you mean new user interface then? Just new button textures?

My wish would be the .NET dependency removed. That'll make it start faster, and less intrusive for the user his computer.

Sounds you need code changes for some of those planned features? Is this correct?

[quote who="Kiyana Va Sala" reply="6" id="1916445"] I refuse to accept this. I have purchased the CDs/DVDs my games come on. I own those CDs/DVDs. I therefore own what is on said CDs/DVDs. Therefore, I own those copies of those games. I'll play my games how I want to, and nothing will stand in my way -- not DRM, not EULAs, not the law itself.[/quote] Correct, in principle a program is sold just like a DVD or a book. Copyright law ensures the protection of intellectual property, i

Well, no, DRM is not illegal, it is tradionally just not protected by law (but nowadays we have DMCA and EUCD). Traditionally, copyright laws simply don't protect DRM, and you simply have the right to use your property in any way you like. By the way, Stardock does NOT use DRM in the traditional meaning of the word (=allowing only trusted hard/software to play the content).

[quote who="ender1983" reply="10" id="1909183"]Your observation that a customer buying at $50 doesn't 'own' the software might be true legally, but it it missing the point regarding what DRM is all about. I would consider this a valid complaint and principal matter.[/quote] Well, my first post here was about that and I don't think it's legally true at all. If a vendor sells software to me for $50 it's mine. No, not the intellectual property rights of course, but the copy of the softwa

People are trying to broaden the meaning of the word DRM. To me DRM means encrypting or signing content and allow only trusted software or hardware play it. This hurts the customer's rights in a serious way, because there usually are perfectly valid reason to get access to the actual content. A server based customer authentication does not fit under such a description, the game is fully functional without it and you have full access to the bits and bytes you bought.

Hi, I'm only aware of a few localization projects, there doesn't seem to be a Dutch one yet, so I started to create one, which is starting to get to a very usefull level, I estimate about half of the texts have been done, allthough when playing it feels much more is done. I tried to focus on high quality rather than having everything translated fast, we aren't there yet, but it starts to show. You will be able to play on the MetaVerse with translated XML contents.</p

Ok. However, it is time to start thinking about platforms. Win32 is frozen, Win64 is where further development will happen. Linux continues like an unstoppable train and MacOS is more successfull than ever. Game freaks will continue to use Windows as their main platform. Professional computer users, like me, increasingly use Linux and MacOS. I run Galciv2 on Windows, being a professional I don't to spend all the time (and do the pirate of all needed Win32 DLLs) getting it t

[quote who="CobraA1" reply="9" id="1851610"] Shader 3 - that's DirectX 9, right? That's the GeForce 6 and 7 series - you should be able to get one for $20. [/quote] The problem is seldomly the costs of the card, the problem often is lack of compatibility with modern hardware. Imagine someone having a PC with a single voltage AGP 2.0 slot (Many Pentium 3/Athlon class machines exist with it). A new video card means a new mainboard, therefore a new cpu and new memory. And if yo

[quote] Now here's an interesting point. If you download a game rip off the net, where the crackers have removed protection etc... You don't actually have to run the setup program. That means you never have to click that you agree to the EULA. [/quote] If you download a game rip, you are violating a copyright. Sure you are then not under any EULA contract, but copyright violation is much worse offense than contract violation. Copyright violation is a criminal delict, contract vi

[quote]Well the point thats made here is that you never actually bought the game :-\.[/quote] Correct, but know I made the point that I did buy the game. Namely I click on a button on this website called "purchase", not "license", and then "Buy this game" (what does buy mean?), and before I finish the transaction the word "license" never appears. How can I not have bought the game if I did click on a button "buy this game"?? More relevant is the e-mail Stardock s

[quote]It's still copyright infringement.[/quote] Correct, this is why an EULA is totally unnecessary for protecting intellectual property. [quote]I'm not sure what some people's major issue is with our EULA (which is very simple and quite generous in a number of ways).[/quote] I agree with you about the actual contents about the EULA. You are not bad guys. However, the very fact that an EULA is used hurts the customer his rights in various ways. It's simple: If I buy

Yes, I know EULA's are problematic in the old world. Why do I care? My intention is twofold: A) Explicit disagreement right from the start makes very clear that I have not accepted anything. After the purchase the copy is my property. Any click on an accept button is just a technical mean to get access to my property and no agreement exists. Actually I can't remember having clicked any accept button, I learned about the EULA by finding the EULA.txt in the game's directory. Re

As Stardock has fullfilled all its obligations under the sales agreement, namely, provide me with the game as was advertised, I have no reason to return my product. [quote]If you install the product it is implied that you agree to it.If you don't, then don't install it.[/quote] No, no, this is legally terms and conditions, which should have been readable at the moment of sale. Further, as the transaction that has happened is legally a sale of a product, this cannot be undone wi

Actually I am in Europe (The Netherlands), but I am quite confident even that US laws recognize the principle of a sale agreement. By the way, an EULA can be legal in Europe, but is seen as "terms and conditions" and must comply to laws covering what can be stated in terms and conditions. They for sure cannot reverse sales agreements, and terms and conditions have to be readable before the sale takes place, which makes that most EULA's are void.

Hello, I have recently purchased a copy of the Galactic Civilizations Ultimate Bundle Pack. While I am very pleased about the low price, the quality of the game, the lack of copy protection, the EULA annoys me. It's like buying a television and when opening the box finding a piece of paper that says "Sorry, you have not bought this television, and before using our television you must agree to a,b,c,...". Sorry, it doesn't work that way. I would like to make clear that we have a