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Geek Culture / A quick question to people who have freeware releases.

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Mnemonix
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Posted: 16th Nov 2004 08:32
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Hi,

For those people who have released freeware software, would you be interested in a service that would catalogue your software and offer it as part of a customized cd or dvd distribution in the uk? Im hoping to start just a service which does just that. It would be non-profit since I would only be charging for the hosting and distribution etc. etc.

It would work like this:

1. Joe Bloggs signs up at website.
2. Joe Bloggs decides he wants software A, and software B which are freeware but unrelated. The two software pieces are each 300 mb in size. The custom order would be burned onto a cd and mailed to this person. So no money would come in through it but if your software is freeware then im sure you would appreciate the service.

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JoelJ
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Posted: 16th Nov 2004 08:39
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how about those who eat cheese?

that's an awesome idea, i would submit a program...but i dont have one


Don't you wish you were that hot?
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Mnemonix
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Posted: 16th Nov 2004 08:46
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Im thinking of setting it up so you can request that I include your software, and it will add it to a request list which I can check. The mailing of the cd`s and dvd`s would most probably be handled single handedly by me.

I also thought about cost

1 Cd would be £4.
1 DVD would be £6.

If your order however took up say 2 cd`s and you still didnt want it on dvd. Each consecutive disc would be at 50% of the original. Since generally postage and packaging would still be the same for larger numbers of discs. So if you ordered 2 cds it would be £4, 2 dvds would be £9. If you think this is a good/bad idea then post here.

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Zero Blitzt
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Posted: 16th Nov 2004 08:50
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Good idea.


"And C++ has 2 version Microsoft visual C++ and Bordland C++."
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Ilya
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Posted: 16th Nov 2004 09:14
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Good idea.

Are you charging us or them?

Quote: "I've seen the word programming and I'm not sure what it means. Anybody please explain?"


Quote: "We shouldn't sacrifice the truth to preserve "balance"."
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Mnemonix
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Posted: 16th Nov 2004 09:18
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Basically the developer or whatnot can list the software for free (you sign in, submit the software. I verify it and then give the OK.). then it is added to the catalogue. People add it to their own basket and it goes on their custom compilations. Say for example you came on my site and wanted Open Office and you also wanted Kdevelop. These would be two seperate packages, but you have your own custom disc(s) burned with each order.

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Kohaku
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Posted: 16th Nov 2004 09:27
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Sounds like a great idea.

You are not alone.
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Mx5 kris
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Posted: 16th Nov 2004 10:03
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if it is uk....my software will be sold, I can make an exeption...this would get me publicity in uk......hmmmm.....will it be a .co.uk?

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Mnemonix
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Posted: 16th Nov 2004 10:08
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I think it will end up being a .co.uk. I need to register the domain. Any ideas of a name?. I hope to have the service up and running within a couple of weeks. Im looking into mailing options now.

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Mx5 kris
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Posted: 16th Nov 2004 10:24
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www.uksoftware.co.uk
www.freeuksoftware.co.uk
www.freewareforuk.co.uk

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Three Score
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Posted: 16th Nov 2004 10:26
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wut about like collections like i got 2 programs 1 is 456kb and the other will be about 7.1mb i dont think i want to waste a cd on that

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Mnemonix
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Posted: 16th Nov 2004 10:26
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Heh. If google returned any of those names, would you click them?

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Mnemonix
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Posted: 16th Nov 2004 10:29
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404, I think you missed the point.

If you submit one of your packages to my site. People CREATE their own custom collection made out of any software they choose upon my site. This is then burned on to the types of discs they say and mailed to them. Also, im thinking that if you submit software, then you get a tracker that tells you how many compilations it has been included in.

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Three Score
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Posted: 16th Nov 2004 10:30
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oh sry didnt fully read it
so how much is it goign to cost or is it free(to us the people giving it to u)

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Newbie Brogo
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Posted: 16th Nov 2004 10:39 Edited at: 16th Nov 2004 10:39
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If we give him a program no charge for us if I understand correctly, and he has a small fee to get the customly burned CD for the consumers... Correct?

Anyways, sounds like a great idea.

Domain names...
www.yourlastname.co.uk
www.ukrockzors.co.uk
www.katzwilltehowntehuk.co.uk
www.okguessillbeseriousnow.co.uk
www.dontgothere.co.uk
www.kazay.co.uk (Kazaa without the pffft)
www.yes.co.uk
www.no.co.uk
www.dontcare.co.uk
www.igiveup.co.uk




WooT!
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Mnemonix
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Posted: 16th Nov 2004 11:01
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Newbie that is exactly right. Thanks for the good comments. I shall now set about implementing it. Once I have done that I will probably spend a week or so building up a large database of software. I will also need other kinds of things that I must setup beforehand.

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Mx5 kris
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Posted: 16th Nov 2004 11:19
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I have an Idea.... if they order the software you can make your own mag, and distribute it with it. Maybe some nice developer will want to give you an interview.. and you can rate the games, and tell about db, and such.

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Mnemonix
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Posted: 16th Nov 2004 11:22 Edited at: 16th Nov 2004 11:23
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Creating a magazine and distributing it with the disc would increase postage cost.

Basically im looking to keep it as cheap as possible. The cheaper I can keep it, the smaller the amount I have to charge. What I am planning each dispatch to include is the actual cd/dvd(s), an invoice of the order and a list of the software on each cd, as they ordered.

Since I am waiting for some more input before I finish the system, I am going to spend the next while looking for software to include. I also need a content management system, which I shall probably write in Visual Basic.

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The Darthster
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Posted: 16th Nov 2004 11:56
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Sounds good

Once I was but the learner, now, I am the Master.
See my site for amazing games and demos!
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DarkBasic Pro Guy
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Posted: 16th Nov 2004 13:22
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I think it would be a good idea but to lower the charge of shipping to other countrys you could have me help you (I live in USA somewhere close to the middle of US) and then maybe some people from other countrys also and someone that knows multiple languages to translate all the programs and stuff etc. etc.

Just let me know if you would like that kind of help.

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Mnemonix
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Posted: 16th Nov 2004 13:40
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Hmm, possibly, but only depending on how UK distribution goes down. If it takes off then im more than happy to do it to other countries too. Like you said, you could take care of the mailing in your own country. Let me conquer the UK first though.

Remember that the programs wont be for me. If they want multiple language support then they can do it themselves. Another idea I had is that if somebody wants a piece of software that isnt on the site, they can request it and I can see if its plausible to add the software too the site.

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BearCDPOLD
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Posted: 16th Nov 2004 13:49
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You need to think up a catchy name, since you are sort of like a publisher, and use that as your domain name. If I had any freeware games, I'd submit them to this service.

Crazy Donut Productions, Current Project: Project Starbuks
Sony stole our name!
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Mnemonix
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Posted: 16th Nov 2004 13:52
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These comments are well welcomed. Im thinking of a name for it now. The name plays a crucial role.

www.use-freeware.co.uk perhaps?.

www.omgzliekfreewarepwn.co.uk hmm?

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Mx5 kris
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Posted: 16th Nov 2004 13:55
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UkGamersCore.co.uk
TheFreeGames.co.uk
Games4UK.co.uk
WindowsGames4UK.co.uk

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Mnemonix
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Posted: 16th Nov 2004 14:23
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It wont be a gamers site though.

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Mx5 kris
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Posted: 16th Nov 2004 14:45
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TheFreeGames.co.uk
Games4UK.co.uk
WindowsGames4UK.co.uk

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Mnemonix
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Posted: 16th Nov 2004 14:48
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Why are you being silly. It wont be a games site.

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Eric T
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Posted: 16th Nov 2004 14:51
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/me enter teh troll mode

Cause he seems to be to stupid to read " It wont be a gamers site though" :/

/me go's back to the HL2 wait


http://www.liquidzsnake.dbspot.com/StairwayToHell.txt
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Mx5 kris
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Posted: 16th Nov 2004 15:02
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you will be sending free GAMES right?

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Mnemonix
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Posted: 16th Nov 2004 23:31
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Heres a nutty idea, why dont you go and READ the rest of the thread, and dont post another reply containing the word "game" in any way shape or form.

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DarkBasic Pro Guy
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Posted: 16th Nov 2004 23:40
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If you need me to do the mailing in USA then I will be happy to do it just send me an email at marcus_e_johnson@yahoo.com or im me at yahoo: marcusoft11

I also have a freeware program that is created by me but it is probably not exactly the best kind of thing becuase it doesn't have any media in it and thats the problem and it don't even have any graphics in it as a matter of fact.

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BatVink
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Posted: 17th Nov 2004 00:04
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My thoughts...

1. Good idea. I've seen this before, I requested a "catalogue CD", which listed the software available. It was marketed as graphical freeware/shareware/clipart. It also contained "adult content" when I received it, which was wrong in my opinion.

2. Non-profit sounds bad. If you are going to do it, you should be making something for your efforts, I wouldn't have an issue with that. Are you really going to spend your life burning CDs for no return? Even Shareware titles allow you to charge a nominal fee for inclusion in a collection.

3. Have you thought of getting the CD sponsored? For example, an interface with non-intrusive banner ads? As long as you are open about the CD content, it's acceptable and another potential revenue stream.

4. I have stuff I would put on it, providing the service looked professional enough. I see it as an opportunity to provide freeware versions of bigger products.

BatVink
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Mnemonix
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Posted: 17th Nov 2004 00:12
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Thanks for the input Batvink. A couple of people have suggested I take a small profit so I have revised the prices. If anybody thinks they are too expensive then please post and tell me.

1st CD of an order:- £4
subsequent CD`s:-£2.50

1st DVD of an order:-£7
subsequent dvd`s:-£4.00

Advertising may be something used in the future, depending on traffic and sales etc. And also, It would be great if you have something to submit for the service.

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Teh Go0rfmeister
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Posted: 17th Nov 2004 00:40
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i'd go for it with some persuasion, thing is can we trust you?

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DarkBasic Pro Guy
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Posted: 17th Nov 2004 04:38
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Well that is a good price. When can we start submitting?

I have a little tip for you. My mom also did this starting her piano rental business but maybe have a website up or something for about three four months or however long (no longer then half a year (6 months)) and set a goal of how many costumers you want during that period how much money you want etc. and when the period is over if you acheived your goal then you start doing this little program and in this case if you acheive your goal then double the customers and money earned part of the goal and add another country etc.

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Mnemonix
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Posted: 17th Nov 2004 05:25
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Hmm yes, That sounds like a good idea. Another idea of mine is when I start it, It will be open for a week before I start processing orders, so I can be sure of the consumables I will need.

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Zone Chicken
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Posted: 17th Nov 2004 05:55
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Just a thought on this, i didn't read every single post here so forgive me it has been stated already. But why would you need to even make cds?

Quote: "1. Joe Bloggs signs up at website.
2. Joe Bloggs decides he wants software A, and software B which are freeware but unrelated. The two software pieces are each 300 mb in size. The custom order would be burned onto a cd and mailed to this person. So no money would come in through it but if your software is freeware then im sure you would appreciate the service.
"


if your having a secure server where the customer signs into to see the content couldn't you just make all the content downloadable from the site and maybe charge a montly subscription fee or a fee per download to cover the bandwith use transfers, this would save you the hassle of checking orders placed, burning cds, mailing the shipments ect. I do not know how much it would cost for a cc billing service to maintain your orders but if it wouldn't be to much it could be figured into the monthly subscription fee along with your cut for maintaining and updating the server with fresh downloads. I realize you might not want to take this route, but if you get a lot of people interested in your site you might have a awfull lot of orders and cds/dvds to be burning and mailing out.
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Mnemonix
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Posted: 17th Nov 2004 06:07
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Zone, Im sure the idea of making people pay to buy freeware would go down a treat.

Its for users who like to have a physical copy of their software and for people who want certain combinations of things, but dont wish to spend ages downloading them, and especially for the diminishing croud of 56k`ers who cant actually download most of the content realistically. So it will end up being CD`s. If there are too many orders I will get help from my friends.

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BearCDPOLD
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Posted: 17th Nov 2004 06:22
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ya gota put a cool logo on the CDs. It will make people feel special knowing they bought such a pretty looking CD from you.

Crazy Donut Productions, Current Project: Project Starbuks
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Mnemonix
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Posted: 17th Nov 2004 06:29
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Lol.


I have started building my archive. I have decided to start with the open source community. Im downloading open office for Windows as I write this. I am not sure whether to put in the Linux version as well.

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Three Score
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Posted: 17th Nov 2004 07:16
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um include windows only cause most use iwnodws then have linux as an optional thing
and i think i migth submit where do i contact

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Mnemonix
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Posted: 17th Nov 2004 07:18
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No where yet, I will post full details on how to submit your freeware to my service when it is ready to get going.

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Three Score
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Posted: 17th Nov 2004 07:23
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if u dotn know php i know some so i could amke a contact me form and host it(since most hosts dont offer php)

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Mnemonix
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Posted: 17th Nov 2004 07:41 Edited at: 17th Nov 2004 07:42
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I think I can manage just fine with PHP thank you very much. The site is after all nearly finished .

I also have hosting sorted out and I know how to accept payments and everything.

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Three Score
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Posted: 17th Nov 2004 08:09
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ok(but i meant i do it for free)

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Andy Igoe
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Posted: 17th Nov 2004 08:09
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Be warned I am currently clamping down on this sort of operation and have extended "negotiations" in place in various countries regarding what I consider to be piracy.

Whilst intentions may be good many of these so called freeware CD web sites are profiteering from our freeware, we have a particular problem with this in Spain and China. We can't speak Mandarin, but we do speak Spanish and we are dealing with some of these people.

The policy of the entire team here at Banshee Studios is that if anyone sells a CD with our games on it should be us.

Although that said, there are some companies with have our permission to do so with certain games which makes it all a bit complicated: "How come he can do it and I cant" etc etc...

However having said that I can see that your service may be beneficial to some teams.


Which is the biggest tool? The computer, or the muppet who invented it?
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Zone Chicken
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Posted: 17th Nov 2004 08:16 Edited at: 17th Nov 2004 08:18
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Just to ask, how can one prove that someone is benifiting from freeware.
I mean if someone started a freeware site that provided downloads and the shipping of cds. How would someone know or judge if the provider was benifiting from it.
1). The price of cds in the local area.
2). The cost of storage of the media if the media is downloadable.
3). The cost of the bandwith if the site is popular and the bandwith is high.
4). The cost of shipping the cd content via ground/air mail.
5). The cost of cc services if the site is a secured and online ordering site.

I don't see why someone that would take there time to make a site and provide people with software even if it is freeware and would eat any of the above cost. Im not trying to start a argument or anything im just curious as to how someone would know if freeware was being sold or the costs to transport the freeware was the only charge being made?
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Mnemonix
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Posted: 17th Nov 2004 08:20 Edited at: 17th Nov 2004 08:45
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I understand your concerns. It is not my intention to profit from freeware(mine or yours or anybodys). I can also understand how it is an issue with many sites.

Why are you warning me? It will be piracy in no way shape or form. If you dont believe in that then don`t submit anything to the service.

I like free software. I use linux, php, mysql. I respect the communities that they have. I want to give something back.

When I attempt to do this I am everything but accused of piracy?.

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Mnemonix
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Posted: 17th Nov 2004 08:53
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Sorry for double post, but would anybody here be willing to produce a banner for the website?. It would include the name and the logo(which also do not yet exist).

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Mx5 kris
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Posted: 17th Nov 2004 11:41
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I would! I have photoshop.

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