Re: Building An Apple ][ Software Archive

["Arkain" <rwking@no.usa.spam.net>]

I've got a solution. Try this idea on for size!

This massively indexed archive should be directed in this way:

On the front end is a large index of the known software as well as a place
to add new entries. Since this isn't the actual software, it can be
anonymously accessed.

On the detail pages for each piece of software, there should be:

    Moderately detailed descriptions
    Version info
    Copyright info
    Platform requirements
    Known Bugs
    Screen Shots
    Ratings
    User comments
    Link to a disk image(s)(if legal, i.e. FW, SW, PD)
    Link to source files(if legal & available)
    Link to program documentation(original(if legal) or otherwise)

On the back end, there should be 1 anonymous account, 1 hidden account, and
some user accounts. Since each user will be able to sign on for free, they
must first be willing to provide some credentials to ensure that they are
who they say they are. This way, anyone pulling illegal stunts can be
booted.

The hidden account is where all of the actual disk images will be stored.
When a user uploads an image, if the image is commercial, then the image is
moved into the hidden account and a link to the image is placed in the
user's account. If the image is non-commercial, the image is moved into the
hidden account and a link is placed in the anonymous account.

If this is all managed through a web interface with no telnet or ftp access
available, then there should be no problems ensuring protection of the
commercial images. Only the one that uploaded the image will be able to
access it.

This is the speculative part:

If it's possible, the site should support a tradingpost or store so that
registered users could sell or trade theit copy of a piece of software with
another user at which point, the appropriate links will be moved.

Using a system like this, only registered users will have access to
copyrighted materials(the ones that they own), and we still get to have a
repository of A2 software. As the software becomes freeware, links to them
can then be moved to the anonymous account and updated on the front-end
index.

How does this sound?

Arkain

<lowlife2270@my-deja.com> wrote in message
news:8q89jm$3ip$1@nnrp1.deja.com...
> I think some clarifications are in order, so that we don't turn this
> into a piracy discussion.
>
> * Disk images will be saved, but only the uploader (initially) will be
> able to download them.
>
> This is a simple way for the archive to discourage piracy, while giving
> the uploader the benefit of having a remote backup of their software
> which they can access at a later date as desired. I say 'initially'
> because I have some ideas regarding the handling of the images in a way
> which circumvents the piracy issue, but they need more consideration.
>
> * Multiple copies of a single piece of software will be stored.
>
> Software was cracked. This is a basic fact of the Apple ][ and it's
> culture. Even if the only difference is an altered start page which
> attributes the cracked version to a particular cracker, it will be
> saved. Yes, this means that 15 different versions of a program could be
> stored. Regardless of your views on piracy, there is a basis for saving
> these things for posterity.
>
> * Checks and Balances on the access of software will be in place.
>
> You will have to register yourself to access the archive in any way.
> Details of the other requirements involved in registering will be
> figured out in due course, but clearly it will be free for everyone,
> and personal details will *never* be given out to a third party.
>
> * There will be a decent amount of metadata associated with the images
>
> Amongst other things, I'm looking at having: title, author, publisher,
> platforms, short description, long description, release status, and a
> couple of other useful details. Clearly, the accuracy of this
> informaton will depend on the person uploading the images.
>
> * I *am* open to ideas.
>
> I'm actually getting on with writing the system that will make this
> work. That doesn't mean that I'm fixed on a direction to achieve the
> goal. If you have any ideas regarding how I can make this a more useful
> site for Apple fans, please let me know.
>
> Paul
>
>
> Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
> Before you buy.