I strongly agree with Bill and Uffe on this matter. I don't work for a commercial entity as such, but we have a huge investment in MapBasic code. And are still developing and maintaining applications in MapBasic.
After playing with .NET stuff a little, and reading a little, I am reverting back to development of code in Delphi and MapBasic. Performance is one reason, the whole .NET framework is another. My feeling is that if someone wants the source code, they can ask for it. I have no problems with people using and copying my ideas (and I occasionally share them). But I would have a problem with someone reverse engineering one of my programs without my consent, like most of you I spend many, many hours working through problems and developing algorithms to perform tasks and some of these ideas I don't really want every Joe Bloggs and Jane Doe to know. Just my 2 cents worth (about 1 cent US). Cheers Ian -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Joutsiniemi Anssi Sent: Tuesday, May 30, 2006 6:21 PM To: mapinfo-l@lists.directionsmag.com Subject: [MI-L] MBX documentation Dear Community, A couple of weeks ago Jacques raised a small discussion on future of MapBasic. With a certain bittersweet nostalgia I asked myself how the story is going to continue... Since the MB doesn't seem to be that chic any longer, I thought maybe I could release my notes on MBX-file format as well. I know there is plenty of delicate issues concerning the copyrights of compiled code and also some private money bound to it too. That is little strainge though, since most of us know that it is rather easy to built a decompiler and at least three of them exists too (search List Archive if you like). Also some more valuable use can be thought for the documentation. For example, currently the only compiler is the one that is provided by the Corp. and it significantly affects for third party development. Does anybody there across the ocean know where they are heading to? I naturally don't want to make enemy with them. I'm looking neither profit nor new jobs (since I got plenty) for this and consider this just as an act for creating new potential for more advanced usage. I guess the tweaking other peoples code isn't that big of a thread, since the profound slowness of a MB code forces people truly developing software to use DLL's and stuff anyway. People capable of programming it from documentation most likelly wouldn't find any usefull from the tiny snippets of code available anyway. I have never made a dime by selling program code, but I know some of you have, so basicly I'm interested to hear points of view that havent crossed my mind. If my initial idea of release is concidered terribly hostile or semi-criminal among you I'm happy to draw back this too. Please, keep the discussion open in List, if possible. Hard rock hallelujah Anssi _______________________________________________ MapInfo-L mailing list MapInfo-L@lists.directionsmag.com http://www.directionsmag.com/mailman/listinfo/mapinfo-l ###################################################################### This e-mail message has been scanned and cleared by MailMarshal ###################################################################### ###################################################################### Attention: This e-mail message and accompanying data may contain information that is confidential and subject to legal privilege. Any information provided is given in good faith. However unless specifically stated to the contrary, Napier City Council accepts no liability for the content of this e-mail or for the consequences of any action taken on the basis of the information provided, unless that information is subsequently confirmed in writing. If you are not the intended recipient, you are notified that any use, dissemination, distribution or copying of this message or data is prohibited. If you received this e-mail message in error, please notify us immediately and erase all copies of this message and attachments. Thank you.
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