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Gamebase 64 support?

mike_tcis

By mike_tcis
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mike_tcis Member

mike_tcis

Posted
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Hi,

Have you ever considered adding Gamebase 64 support? IIRC it uses an Access database, so you could simply read out of the database to populate GameEx with the game titles, descriptions, screenshots, and even emulator paths/switches. With the GB64 ISO's readily available on USENET, BitTorrent, and elsewhere, this would make a great addition to GameEx..

--Mike

Tom Speirs GameEx God (Top Rank)

Tom Speirs

Posted
Posted
Hi,

Have you ever considered adding Gamebase 64 support?  IIRC it uses an Access database, so you could simply read out of the database to populate GameEx with the game titles, descriptions, screenshots, and even emulator paths/switches.  With the GB64 ISO's readily available on USENET, BitTorrent, and elsewhere, this would make a great addition to GameEx..

--Mike

Im already in discussion with the Gamebase team about this.

I need permission.

mike_tcis Member

mike_tcis

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Im already in discussion with the Gamebase team about this.

I need permission.

I can understand where you might need permission to use bits of their front-end GUI software, but reading out of the database? I mean, I think they have it GPL'ed, and since you will simply be reading the data and not modifying it, I wouldn't see where it would be an issue...

--Mike

Tom Speirs GameEx God (Top Rank)

Tom Speirs

Posted
Posted
I can understand where you might need permission to use bits of their front-end GUI software, but reading out of the database?  I mean, I think they have it GPL'ed, and since you will simply be reading the data and not modifying it, I wouldn't see where it would be an issue...

--Mike

Because the database license says it cant be used in anything other than the Gamebase frontend or MS Access without permission. It seems they have a conflicting license issue over at GB. It seems the Database has a seperate license than the GPL'd one. Its been going on for weeks now, I have not got a direct yes or no yet but I have not checked the forum in a few days.

djrobx Ultimate GameEx Guru!

djrobx

Posted
Posted

I don't think they can legally stop you from providing a tool that can read their database. It's not much different than say, a Commodore 64 emulator reading a copyrighted Commodore 64 disk image and the C64 BIOS image. The emulator author is not responsible since he is not distributing any copyrighted work. The end user would be the one breaking the license. You're just providing a parser for a certain database format.

Ethically you probably should get permission. On the other hand, they'd be silly to say no, since their project depends on that same sort of "license bending" in order to be useful!

Tom Speirs GameEx God (Top Rank)

Tom Speirs

Posted
Posted
I don't think they can legally stop you from providing a tool that can read their database.  It's not much different than say, a Commodore 64 emulator reading a copyrighted Commodore 64 disk image and the C64 BIOS image.  The emulator author is not responsible since he is not distributing any copyrighted work.  The end user would be the one breaking the license.  You're just providing a parser for a certain database format. 

Ethically you probably should get permission.  On the other hand, they'd be silly to say no, since their project depends on that same sort of "license bending" in order to be useful!

Your right its about ethics and respect, not about legallity. I also think its stupid and irresponsible to publically in front of the whole globe tick people off, when your not completly anonymous, at least if you can help it.

  • 11 months later...
mike_tcis Member

mike_tcis

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Your right its about ethics and respect, not about legallity. I also think its stupid and irresponsible to publically in front of the whole globe tick people off, when your not completly anonymous, at least if you can help it.

Hi Tom,

Sorry to bring up such an old thread. Did you ever make any progress on the GameBase 64 front? I sure would like to see the two integrated.

TIA.

Tom Speirs GameEx God (Top Rank)

Tom Speirs

Posted
Posted
Hi Tom,

Sorry to bring up such an old thread. Did you ever make any progress on the GameBase 64 front? I sure would like to see the two integrated.

TIA.

The Gamebase team told me they did not want me to do it as it breaks there license agreement, you can view the thread here.

http://www.gamebase64.com/forum/viewtopic....65bca00771c0386

I believe there is nothing they could do if I did implement support, but I'm sticking to there wishes for now.

Adultery GameEx God (Top Rank)

Adultery

Posted
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Well, if they wanna be pricks about it (or at least one guy does...) who's to stop someone from downloading and changing things around ever so slightly and recompiling the database as their own?

Wouldn't it become that person's then anyway? In which case, would you not be able to distribute it freely? I'm not sure that'd be OK, except I guess I don't understand how someone can 'own' raw information about games they dont legally 'own' or possess any rights to anyway...

As you stated... You just want the db info. Not the program they have created to read it...

Tom Speirs GameEx God (Top Rank)

Tom Speirs

Posted
Posted
Well, if they wanna be pricks about it (or at least one guy does...) who's to stop someone from downloading and changing things around ever so slightly and recompiling the database as their own?

Wouldn't it become that person's then anyway? In which case, would you not be able to distribute it freely? I'm not sure that'd be OK, except I guess I don't understand how someone can 'own' raw information about games they dont legally 'own' or possess any rights to anyway...

As you stated... You just want the db info. Not the program they have created to read it...

I agree they don't really have a leg to stand on or defence at all, but that's my decision for now.

Adultery GameEx God (Top Rank)

Adultery

Posted
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I agree they don't really have a leg to stand on or defence at all, but that's my decision for now.

Fair enough... But if someone were to completely rewrite an UnOfficial C64 mdb (using only Good Name info and no GB64 data whatsoever) would you be willing to add that? I'd be more than happy to start working on that if it would solve the problem...

Otherwise I could post a link and you wouldn't have to see what the 'other hand' is doing...

Just a thought as I was going to add a C64 DB to mine anyways.

Tom Speirs GameEx God (Top Rank)

Tom Speirs

Posted
Posted
Fair enough... But if someone were to completely rewrite an UnOfficial C64 mdb (using only Good Name info and no GB64 data whatsoever) would you be willing to add that? I'd be more than happy to start working on that if it would solve the problem...

I'd be more than willing, and would really appreciate the contribution.

Adultery GameEx God (Top Rank)

Adultery

Posted
Posted

Although I'm still up to my ears in this web site, I've been tweaking some existing database files, so I can start laying the foundation for that as well.

If any one would like to contribute, feel free to help a dude out. Every little touch makes GameEx that much better. :)

BTW: I've already started working on a GameBoy Advance mdb, so if anyone would like to contribute to that I'd appreciate it equally. We should start a thread and post info for games and I'd be more than happy to form it into .mdb format.

What do ya say, community? Let's give something back! :)

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