nonmodifable scripts

is there anyway we could get the same options for scripts that we have for objects? like we could set flags such that scripts can be looked at, but cannot be copied or moved? like the way the account statics work now?

sure people could open it up and then just retype it, but then at least they might gain some understanding by actually going through the motion of recreating the script.

Honestly, i think the way it is now pretty much makes it copyable or not. if you can see it, you're right, it can be copied down. if they do it word for word (and manage to type it right), i doubt they'll really understand how it works. if they are taking it to use in their own script, they already have some idea of what they are doing. personaly, while it is rather annoying to not be able to even see the script, once i start making marketable items, i do not want my scripts being looked at. I have found, however, a good way to bury them inside objects, and that is to link them up with others. When someone right clicks and tries to edit, they will only get the master item showing up, and if it has no scripts on it, they won't have anything in that window at all. This is how my elevator controls work at my house, and how my upper doors will work once i get the buttons for that put together.

Moz, i think a person could click "Select Individual" and click the different child objects till they found the piece with the script.

the only way around that is to stick the object that has the script in it, inside one of the other objects, because you cannot select(at least you couldn't, last time i tried) select objects that are completely inside each other, even with the drag tool.

Yes but if it is modifiable then I can take the whole thing apart if I want the script. And if it isn't then I can't get the script anyways.

The controls available on objects are great. They allow the creator to control the stuff he makes - sell 1 copy or sell 100 copies, let them be editable or copyable. This makes an economy based off of their trade feasable. We need the same controls on scripts so that economy based on their trade can be feasable.

Right now it is a unique situation because the population is so small. Every one knows everyone, give or take. Honor is high and scripting knowledge is relatively low, making it (the knowledge) a valuable commodity. However once the game goes live, the population surges and more and more people learn the language then the value of that commodity will change. Especially when less honorable people enter the game. Any script that is just sold as a script right now (attached to a box or whatever) has no control for the author. Anyone who bought it could do what they wanted with it - unless it was already attached to the only device it was going to be on and that device was locked.

If scripts had the same controls as objects then people could make specialized generic scripts (oxymoron heh) for others to place on objects they buy or create elswhere without fear of them selling or trading that script as their own.

Another point is I could sell a car that I thought should be customizable by the person who bought it. However I might not want my super speed racer script to be modifiable (they could hurt themselves!) or tradable.

One more control option I would like is 'tradable'. I could see for scripts, and maybe objects, wanting to give someone the right to make multiple copies of that script/object but not the right to sell them or give them away. This would also mean that non tradable objects couldn't be released to the public. Sorta a 'site liscense' deal I guess.

i think that would be really useful
no modify for scripts could prove usefull for those top secret project peeps.

Wink, Wink, Nod, Nod, secret handshake

peeps?

http://www.peepresearch.org/

I agree that there should be a way to control the distribution of your scripts once they are released in to the world.

I just had a thought. It's an unusual occurance so I ran to my computer to post it. (disclaimer: no gaurantees it's an original thought)

I have been clamoring for content controls on scripts but what about Textures and Sounds? I have to admit I don't deal with either of these very much (yet) so maybe it's a non issue? And what about cards? Someone created a news paper, should they have content controls to keep someone from buying 1 and giving copies to everyone?

I can already see problems with the textures - taking screen grabs for example and then uploading the new image. hm.

Just thinking out loud here.

once the game goes live, some of the original testers (and Linden personnel) might want to establish some sort of trademark board for recording great ideas. For example, if person A codes something great, pays Linden to copyright, all items that use person A's code have to give credit, maybe even get some sort of royalty or something. While it would be kind of hard to enforce, i'd bet that alot of people would rather report the unhonest people because if they have to rip code off they obviously cant do it themselves, so most inexperienced people will gravitate towards supporting those who can program. Besides, who wants to risk gaining tons of disfavor when they become associated with stealing code and claiming it as their own?

Also, one other thing. There could be a sort of Library of Congress thing, although i guess it would be more museum, any way, once you "copyright" something it goes into this library area. This way, you cant buy, edit, move, etc. any items, yet you could, for example, see an item and ask either Linden or the creator for permission to see how it works. Maybe a drop box or something. I figure if restriction of information becomes an issue, then centralize it and make a choke point out of it, although that might constrict even the most basic of information. Just a thought.

Call it the CIC

I wanna be a gargoyle