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I'm not really sure where should I post this question, so I came here.
I'm writing an article, but the project requires ROM files of a legacy system in order to run. Now I don't think these files are 100% legal to distribute freely, so what do you think is the best course of actions? Should I provide link to external location where these can be downloaded or include it with source code/executables anyways?
Edit:
It's 30 years old firmware from a company that does not exist for the last 20 years.
modified 23-Jul-14 13:54pm.
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Mock them up. 
You'll never get very far if all you do is follow instructions.
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Well I do, I mock them with files that have exactly the same binary content instead of using actual ROM chips 
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If you're not sure whether they're legal, and you can't find out, then don't post them here!
Even a link to a potentially illegal download could get both you and the site admins in trouble. Just ask Richard O'Dwyer[^].
Oh, and there is a specific forum[^] for questions about writing articles. If only it had an obvious and easy to remember name! 
"These people looked deep within my soul and assigned me a number based on the order in which I joined."
- Homer
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Well, since you insist: It's not that I don't know about the it, it's just the forum is pretty much dead. It takes less time to write an article then to get an answer there, so it's useless.
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If in doubt, assume illegal and do not post them.
As for links to possibly-illegal content? The same thing in my opinion.
I suspect the hamsters would be unhappy with you if they got nasty letters from legal eagles as a result...
Those who fail to learn history are doomed to repeat it. --- George Santayana (December 16, 1863 – September 26, 1952)
Those who fail to clear history are doomed to explain it. --- OriginalGriff (February 24, 1959 – ∞)
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Quote: I suspect the hamsters would be unhappy with you if they got nasty letters from legal eagles as a result...
I should think Eagles would treat Hamsters as prey!
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You clearly haven't met the CP hamsters!
TechnoBob[^]
Grasshopper[^]
Raphael[^]
Big George[^]
Those who fail to learn history are doomed to repeat it. --- George Santayana (December 16, 1863 – September 26, 1952)
Those who fail to clear history are doomed to explain it. --- OriginalGriff (February 24, 1959 – ∞)
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George can't be that big - he's hiding behind a massive sign that reads "Image hosted by Angelfire".
Looks like they've blocked hot-linking. You have to copy the URL and paste it into the address bar; clicking the link doesn't work.
"These people looked deep within my soul and assigned me a number based on the order in which I joined."
- Homer
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That's gotta be a BIG sign!
(Strange though, I can see George just fine, and I didn't have to sign up or anything. :ScratchesHeadSmiley:
Those who fail to learn history are doomed to repeat it. --- George Santayana (December 16, 1863 – September 26, 1952)
Those who fail to clear history are doomed to explain it. --- OriginalGriff (February 24, 1959 – ∞)
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It's 30 years old firmware from a company that does not exist for the last 20 years, so I doubt anyone will show up with nasty letter.
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Would you like to visit a bank with me sometime?
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Mladen Janković wrote: Now I don't think these files are 100% legal to distribute freely, so what do you think is the best course of actions?
I think you should play safe and not include them in your article.
You could follow the various console emulators path: state that ROMs are needed by your system but you cannot provide them.
THESE PEOPLE REALLY BOTHER ME!! How can they know what you should do without knowing what you want done?!?!
-- C++ FQA Lite
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Yeah, I think I'm going do it that way.
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Mladen Janković wrote: I'm writing an article, but the project requires ROM files of a legacy system in order to run. Now I don't think these files are 100% legal to distribute freely, so what do you think is the best course of actions? Should I provide link to external location where these can be downloaded or include it with source code/executables anyways?
The best course of action would be to try and absolve CP of any liability. As in, don't add it to the article so it's not hosted here. Don't directly link to it either. Instead, just put the files on some other host and give a description of how the user can find them. For instance:
If you go to blahblah.com and look for a link on the bottom right, etc.
CP can't get in trouble for that. You might for hosting the files, but knowledge is legally free. Dead serious. You can go to a library to learn how to make a nuclear bomb. But, as soon as you start to try you get into trouble. The government (not China) protects against making knowledge illegal, for now at least. If ever a cease and desist was sent, it would be sent to the actual host and not CP.
Jeremy Falcon
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Think I'll go with "search the internet for the files" route. I mean, if someone cannot find them, maybe they are not targeted audience for the article
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Also, and I've done this before. Try to get in touch with the copyright holder and just ask if it's ok. Many times they're cool with it. Then mention it's used with permission in the article and let the moderator now.
Jeremy Falcon
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Hi Folks
I've been out of the IT game for some time and have just returned to help a non-technical friend with a .NET 4.0 website application, developed in Visual Studio 2010 and now in 2013.
The previous developer implemented a timer in Global.asax to run some logic once every 24 hours but this is clearly not the best way as processes stop when the website isn't used.
What I need to achieve is to create something that will run without interruption on the server. Overnight from 1am it will read the database using LINQ, generate statistics, create new database records and send emails. Then once its finished it just needs to sit there until the same time tomorrow when it repeats the process.
I need to be able to enable/disable the process. I should say its hosted on a shared server where I don't have full control of IIS.
I've read so much about Web Services, WCF, REST etc but cannot pinpoint the best approach given the scenario. All feedback appreciated!
Thanks
Paul ...
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If you could put the question in this Q&A part of the site[^] you will get suggestions/answers.
This section ("the lounge") is for recreational use 
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Thanks Duncan. Apologies everyone - I've reposted!
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