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Read Me First: Software Requests!

~tl

68kMLA Admin Emeritus
Please note that this forum is not intended to be used as a place to request downloads of copyrighted software for older machines. While we understand that it is hard to find some pieces of software, there are a number of repositories of older "abandonware" out there that are worth searching for. On that note, this forum is not to be used for discussion of building/maintaining these abandonware archives. Also, for their sake and ours, please do not post links to these archives in the open forum. Requesting links to software that was originally freely available is fine (such as freeware/shareware/open source/etc), though we'd appreciate it if you spent some time trying to track down the software yourself first (it would be worth checking the aforementioned abandonware archives).

Many thanks,

~T

 

macgeek417

Well-known member
*idea*

maybe you should allow a resonable amount of SW requests, but disallow public posting of links.

 

LCGuy

LC Doctor/Hot Rodder
No, we won't. The trouble with allowing software requests is that you end up with a lot of people signing up just so they can request software, and its really not the sort of atmosphere we want on our forum. That said, people are still encouraged to post links to shareware, freeware and public domain/open source software, as well as software which has been released for free by the author (such as System 7.5.3 and Cliff Johnson's games) Its "abandonware" that is frowned upon, due to its dubious legal status.

 

John Hokanson Jr.

Well-known member
What if somebody is (arguably, at least) legally entitled to the software?

For instance: I purchased a Powerbook 520, and I'm pretty sure that it came from the factory with 7.1 and restore floppies. These floppies have been lost to time, since I purchased it second hand. I also believe that the 7.1 generation was machine specific, so it's not like I could use it in anything else. For all intents and purposes, it's bundled with the machine.

Now 7.5.3 is available free online, but it's not the original OS for that machine.

Would it would be permissible to ask for copies of the floppies, either for free or for a small fee + S&H?

Note: Until MODs speak on this, NOBODY take this as an official request. I'm posting this for the benefit of having a precident setting decision.

 

John Hokanson Jr.

Well-known member
Just an addendum to this:

Wikipedia is claiming that all versions of System 7 were always free to distribute. Now, I dunno if that's true, Wikipedia can be full of crap... but I thought I'd bring it up.

I do recall reading, in the book Apple Confidential years ago, that Apple didn't consider Mac OS a separate and revenue making product until 8. So it kinda fits.

 

bbraun

Well-known member
[citation needed]

Unless there is a license explicitly granting licensees the right to redistribute, I call shenanigans.

I've scanned the license of my boxed copy of System 7, and I see no provision allowing redistribution:

http://synack.net/~bbraun/System7LicensePage1.tif

http://synack.net/~bbraun/System7LicensePage2.tif

Under this license, as I understand it, I have not been granted the right to give you a copy of the software. It doesn't matter if you have a license, or believe you're otherwise entitled to a copy, even if there was some way I could verify such a claim.

 

LCGuy

LC Doctor/Hot Rodder
I have a boxed copy of System 7.0, and like you I can't find anything in the EULA allowing redistribution, however I do believe they must have released it as free at some point - I have a CD titled "Nautilus Intro V7" that came with our LCIII (which we bought brand new back in 1993) thats full of shareware, freeware and PD software from the era, and it has images of both System 6.08 and System 7.0. System 7.01 was also released as free at some point. Then in 1999, 7.5.3 was released as free. However, 7.1, 7.5.0 and 7.6 were never free.

As for your question regarding backup copies of software you are licensed for - unfortunately it is kind of iffy, since short of scanning and posting an EULA, there's no way for us to be certain that you are licensed to run the software (and you typically won't get an EULA with an old Mac anyway, after all this time), and...well...we don't want to get sued. :)

 

bbraun

Well-known member
Although some versions were released for free, and Apple may have entered into arrangements to allow others to redistribute the software, that does not grant me the right to redistribute. In fact, the license for System 7.0 explicitly forbids what we're talking about, under section 2: "You may not electronically transfer the Software from one computer to another over a network."

Additionally, my own license to use the software is terminated under section 3 if I were to violate section 2, and I would be obligated to destroy my copy in addition to any other liabilities I (and anyone else) would be exposing myself to by violating the license and any applicable copyright law.

IANAL, and some may be willing to accept any potential consequences, but if the forum knowingly facilitates or encourages the violation of copyright law, they expose themselves to liability as well. Which is why the rules exist.

 

MacJunky

Well-known member
Wasn't 7.0 listed on Apple's own "older software downloads" page?

I know not 7.1, but I seem to recall seeing 6.0.8, 7.0 and 7.5.3.

 

John Hokanson Jr.

Well-known member
Keep in mind that your EULA, as a legal contract, may have been superceded by another. Or no is longer in force. This did happen with Corel Wordperfect 3.5e, where Corel basically said "ignore the EULA with the software, it's now freeware." Ditto with a couple of other things like Sim City 2000, and the Marathon Trilogy. Or a number of shareware programs where the authors themselves posted the reg codes (like Audion and Transit).

Of course, it's always a good idea to go with the last known good EULA. I'm just wondering.

I wonder if it might be a good idea to contact Apple legal.

Finally, if you go over to Operator Headgap's web store (a pretty reputable Mac reseller), they do offer copies (as in copies they make) of 6.0.8, 7.1, 7.5, and 7.5.3 for sale. They claim them to be freeware now, but the prices they're charging for these copies seem a bit high ($30 for copies of 7.1 disks?!).

I'm tempted to break down and buy it, but I dunno. What do you all think?

 

MacJunky

Well-known member
Well, 7.1 specifically is not freeware. As far as I know 6.0.8 and 7.5/7.5.3 are. I am not 100% on 7.0/7.0.1 though I keep hearing it is ok.

I have also never seen a cheap mac stuff store/reseller.

Also, Operator Headgap /may/ have have a special deal with Apple.. Possibly... since they are writing these disks themselves.... I would presume..... That or they just charge a ton for their time......

*shrug*

I personally would not buy it from opheadgap. But I am a very bad dirty no-good person.. I guess... >_>

 

Alex

Well-known member
What about the archive.org? Their mission is to provide Universal Access to All Knowledge.

 

Cory5412

Daring Pioneer of the Future
Staff member
The policy on this has changed, this isn't something we still deem it's worth policing.

In addition, I'm running a vintage-accessible server explicitly as part of the site. 



Also at http://vtools.68kmla.org/ 

 
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