Hermes BBS install

[Hardcore SysOp]

One advantage of running 3.5.11 is that you don't need a registration number. You just enter your BBS's name, and it says that Hermes is registered to that BBS. But, of course I know this doesn't appeal to you, Byte, because only six externals work with 3.5.11.

But on the other hand, previous versions of Hermes II are so buggy and unstable. I remember how frustrated I got whenever Hermes would freeze up or crash, right after I had added some new files to it, or maybe created some new directories, or acquired some new users. And then, BAM, everything was lost. So, despite losing compatibility with a lot of externals, I was happy to move up to 3.5.11. If I had the knowledge and skill, I'd make improvements to 3.5.11 myself, now that I have the source and know how to compile it. But I am just some old geezer, n00b, so ....

 

[cloverskull]

@Byte Knight stellar news! Thanks for running this down!

Follow on question - not to be too greedy Do you think these folks that agreed to this crack would also agree to someone getting a hand of the source and re-adding old external compatibility?

 

[Byte Knight]

But on the other hand, previous versions of Hermes II are so buggy and unstable. I remember how frustrated I got whenever Hermes would freeze up or crash, right after I had added some new files to it, or maybe created some new directories, or acquired some new users. And then, BAM, everything was lost.

I just ran v3.1.1 on my Iici with System 7.5.5 for the month of March without any crashes or freeze-ups whatsoever. I was pleasantly surprised with how stable it was!

 

[Byte Knight]

Follow on question - not to be too greedy Do you think these folks that agreed to this crack would also agree to someone getting a hand of the source and re-adding old external compatibility?

That's the hope! It depends on what happens to the ownership of Hermes II...

 

[cloverskull]

If there's a bounty to be paid, I'm happy to chip in but don't know how substantial of a donation I could make. But hell, I wouldn't mind being co owner

 

[Hardcore SysOp]

That's the hope! It depends on what happens to the ownership of Hermes II...

Byte Knight, I don't follow your thinking. What do you mean by "It depends on what happens to the ownership of Hermes II"? Michael made Hermes II open source at least nine years ago, and anyone is free to do whatever they want with it now.

If anyone here knows their way around Pascal, as far as I know, you can edit and recompile to your heart's content.

 

[cloverskull]

I think it's regarding the source to the older version which was commercial. The one which has the compatibility with older externals.

 

[Byte Knight]

I think it's regarding the source to the older version which was commercial. The one which has the compatibility with older externals.

Correct.

 

[Hardcore SysOp]

I don't know anything about computer laws, coding laws and software laws, but are you saying that even though Michael Alyn Miller purchased the source for Hermes II from Bill Dolinar, and became its final developer before making it open source back around 2015 -- maybe earlier -- that he is not the sole, legal owner of the code now -- or at least he was until he made it open source -- of the Hermes II code? Didn't Lloyd Woodall, Lloyd's son David, Will Price III, Robert Rebbun and Bill Dolinar each relinquish their rights to the code each time that it was sold and passed to a new developer, with Michael being the final one? As I said before, I was back there when this was all very popular, but I don't understand all of the behind-the-scenes legalese involved with it.