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This is for people who don't know what open source is or what it means to make a program open source. Therefore I want all of you to understand the basis of this if people decide to make projects open source.
Currently there are three(3) open source projects: Kiki's (bare-bones server files), DragonFlyFF (nearly completed server files), and OpenFlyFF (C# version incomplete).
Now here is the rules straight from the horses mouth so to speak. You can visit the main site
Open source doesn't just mean access to the source code. The distribution terms of open-source software must comply with the following criteria:
1. Free Redistribution
The license shall not restrict any party from selling or giving away the software as a component of an aggregate software distribution containing programs from several different sources. The license shall not require a royalty or other fee for such sale.
2. Source Code
The program must include source code, and must allow distribution in source code as well as compiled form. Where some form of a product is not distributed with source code, there must be a well-publicized means of obtaining the source code for no more than a reasonable reproduction cost preferably, downloading via the Internet without charge. The source code must be the preferred form in which a programmer would modify the program. Deliberately obfuscated source code is not allowed. Intermediate forms such as the output of a preprocessor or translator are not allowed.
3. Derived Works
The license must allow modifications and derived works, and must allow them to be distributed under the same terms as the license of the original software.
4. Integrity of The Author's Source Code
The license may restrict source-code from being distributed in modified form only if the license allows the distribution of "patch files" with the source code for the purpose of modifying the program at build time. The license must explicitly permit distribution of software built from modified source code. The license may require derived works to carry a different name or version number from the original software.
5. No Discrimination Against Persons or Groups
The license must not discriminate against any person or group of persons.
6. No Discrimination Against Fields of Endeavor
The license must not restrict anyone from making use of the program in a specific field of endeavor. For example, it may not restrict the program from being used in a business, or from being used for genetic research.
7. Distribution of License
The rights attached to the program must apply to all to whom the program is redistributed without the need for execution of an additional license by those parties.
8. License Must Not Be Specific to a Product
The rights attached to the program must not depend on the program's being part of a particular software distribution. If the program is extracted from that distribution and used or distributed within the terms of the program's license, all parties to whom the program is redistributed should have the same rights as those that are granted in conjunction with the original software distribution.
9. License Must Not Restrict Other Software
The license must not place restrictions on other software that is distributed along with the licensed software. For example, the license must not insist that all other programs distributed on the same medium must be open-source software.
10. License Must Be Technology-Neutral
No provision of the license may be predicated on any individual technology or style of interface.
Those who do not follow these rules will run the risk of being infracted and the threads deleted. This is a development section and I expect the rules to be respected here.
Now I also want to point out that you don't need to have your source open. You can ONLY have the source closed if you created it yourself and only by yourself because you retain all rights to the decisions for your programs. Now if you derive your work from an open source it NEEDS to remain open source.
Q and A
Q: What if I create an editor or something to help make scripts or packets for the source? Does that mean I need to release it as well?
A: It's up to you on that one. Since you created it yourself you don't have to have to release source if you wish. HOWEVER, if somewhere down the line you want it open source, then the rules apply. AND at anytime if you want to close your source code, you have the power provided you are the owner of the program.
Q: What if I study and open source project and then make one myself but keep it closed?
A: As long as less than 25% of the original project is in your code then open source rules and copyright/left rules need not apply.
This will be updated often when more open source works become available in this section so people will know what is open or closed.
Currently there are three(3) open source projects: Kiki's (bare-bones server files), DragonFlyFF (nearly completed server files), and OpenFlyFF (C# version incomplete).
Now here is the rules straight from the horses mouth so to speak. You can visit the main site
To view the content, you need to sign in or register
to see the rest of the rules but here are the core ones you must follow.Open source doesn't just mean access to the source code. The distribution terms of open-source software must comply with the following criteria:
1. Free Redistribution
The license shall not restrict any party from selling or giving away the software as a component of an aggregate software distribution containing programs from several different sources. The license shall not require a royalty or other fee for such sale.
2. Source Code
The program must include source code, and must allow distribution in source code as well as compiled form. Where some form of a product is not distributed with source code, there must be a well-publicized means of obtaining the source code for no more than a reasonable reproduction cost preferably, downloading via the Internet without charge. The source code must be the preferred form in which a programmer would modify the program. Deliberately obfuscated source code is not allowed. Intermediate forms such as the output of a preprocessor or translator are not allowed.
3. Derived Works
The license must allow modifications and derived works, and must allow them to be distributed under the same terms as the license of the original software.
4. Integrity of The Author's Source Code
The license may restrict source-code from being distributed in modified form only if the license allows the distribution of "patch files" with the source code for the purpose of modifying the program at build time. The license must explicitly permit distribution of software built from modified source code. The license may require derived works to carry a different name or version number from the original software.
5. No Discrimination Against Persons or Groups
The license must not discriminate against any person or group of persons.
6. No Discrimination Against Fields of Endeavor
The license must not restrict anyone from making use of the program in a specific field of endeavor. For example, it may not restrict the program from being used in a business, or from being used for genetic research.
7. Distribution of License
The rights attached to the program must apply to all to whom the program is redistributed without the need for execution of an additional license by those parties.
8. License Must Not Be Specific to a Product
The rights attached to the program must not depend on the program's being part of a particular software distribution. If the program is extracted from that distribution and used or distributed within the terms of the program's license, all parties to whom the program is redistributed should have the same rights as those that are granted in conjunction with the original software distribution.
9. License Must Not Restrict Other Software
The license must not place restrictions on other software that is distributed along with the licensed software. For example, the license must not insist that all other programs distributed on the same medium must be open-source software.
10. License Must Be Technology-Neutral
No provision of the license may be predicated on any individual technology or style of interface.
Those who do not follow these rules will run the risk of being infracted and the threads deleted. This is a development section and I expect the rules to be respected here.
Now I also want to point out that you don't need to have your source open. You can ONLY have the source closed if you created it yourself and only by yourself because you retain all rights to the decisions for your programs. Now if you derive your work from an open source it NEEDS to remain open source.
Q and A
Q: What if I create an editor or something to help make scripts or packets for the source? Does that mean I need to release it as well?
A: It's up to you on that one. Since you created it yourself you don't have to have to release source if you wish. HOWEVER, if somewhere down the line you want it open source, then the rules apply. AND at anytime if you want to close your source code, you have the power provided you are the owner of the program.
Q: What if I study and open source project and then make one myself but keep it closed?
A: As long as less than 25% of the original project is in your code then open source rules and copyright/left rules need not apply.
This will be updated often when more open source works become available in this section so people will know what is open or closed.
