Copying anothers idea...

W

wyrd

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There's an MSDE manager made by someone who sells it...

http://www.whitebearconsulting.com/Utilities.htm

"MSDE Manager provides the ability to:

Edit and execute SQL scripts.

List, create and drop logins, change their passwords and update their server and database roles.

List, create, drop, backup, restore, attach and detach databases.

List, create and drop database roles and modify their membership.

List, schedule and drop automated backup jobs or T-SQL statements."

From the given list, it doesn't sound like the features are all that advanced, anyone who knows how to use OSQL could probably easily create some stored procedures to automate these tasks.

My question is, is it morally right to copy someones idea and then turn around and give out the source code for free? I have no reason to hide it; I read this page and thought to myself "hmm, I could probablyl do this if I put some effort into it." I have not however actually downloaded the 30-day free trial, so it could very well be far more advanced then what the features list shows. Obviously what I would create is just a simple app that allows modification of some MSDE stuff (like the feature list above shows) and not all the rest of the controls that they make.

So.. what is the moral issues here? Would copying someones idea that he sells and turn around and just give it away for free cast me out as some sort of villain? Or does no one care?
 
I don't think so. If that were the case then there would be a whole lot of villains who enjoy coding for Linux.

Would you consider the developers of mono villians? I wouldn't. I wouldn't consider the makers of Open Office as immoral or villanous either.

Just my opinion.
 
I don't think ideas can be copy writed, which is why there are competing products of all kinds (think SQL Server and Oracle or MSN Money and Quicken). The problem that could arise is an accusation of plagerism of code. If you're going to create a "simple app that allows modification of some MSDE stuff", do just that without down loading the 30 day free trial. Your morality can not be called into question if you were never exposed to the product and it's source code. As you and I have discussed (in a previous thread), osql is available to anyone who wants to learn from MSDN. Creating the stored procedures to automate these tasks from knowledge gained through a public source does not imply impropriety on your part.

Jon
 
I don't think so. If that were the case then there would be a whole lot of villains who enjoy coding for Linux.

Would you consider the developers of mono villians? I wouldn't. I wouldn't consider the makers of Open Office as immoral or villanous either.
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Good points.

I don't think ideas can be copy writed
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I know they can't be copy writed, it was just the moral issues of it. Is it really right to copy someones idea? I guess I should of realized that the entire computer industry is based off this very notion. Perhaps I should think before I speak. :)

If you're going to create a "simple app that allows modification of some MSDE stuff", do just that without down loading the 30 day free trial.
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Of course, if I'm going to create my own I didn't plan on downloading their version. Until of course I'm done with mine and looking for ways to improve it. :) Assuming I go ahead with this little project anyway...

As you and I have discussed (in a previous thread), osql is available to anyone who wants to learn from MSDN. Creating the stored procedures to automate these tasks from knowledge gained through a public source does not imply impropriety on your part.
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Good point.

---

Thanks for the responses. When I get some free time I think I'll go ahead and start on this project. It wouldn't be hard to automate simplistic tasks with a small app. It would also benefit others who don't really have enough knowledge (or time to learn) to do these trivial tasks.

Since I'm on the subject, why didn't MSDE come with some sort of management tools outside of your basic database operations?
 
jfackler said:
They call it SQL Server and they make boocoo bucks on it.

Jon
Click to expand...

Hmm, true I guess. Since MSDE works exactly like SQL Server it'd be like giving us Enterprise Manager for free.

Bah, details details.
 
Which makes me wonder about Whitebearconsulting. Specifically I wonder if Whitebear did any consulting i.e. with Microsoft before frontending their database engine for a profit....seems like ol Bill might get a little testy about that.

Jon
 
maybe you should look into intellectual property law a bit.
you wouldn't want to get done for "loss of income" or something...

ailzaj
 
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