As you all know Mindraker was running a server of his own that myself and he created, it aws just a bit of fun, I mean the DGA servers are great but who doesn't love a bit of stat whoring, come on, admit it you fools. Anyhow heres my idea and anyone that is interested post below to help me see what sort of response I get and i'll tee something up with howie
Heres what I intend to do
Running a certain program (either paragon cd-rom emulator or virtual drive network), I can copy complete cd's to the HDD or our server and by each of you installing a small client program you can use our server cd's.
Because it is on the HDD then it's access will be at ATA 100 and 7200 RPM instead of ATA 33 and speed of cd-rom, your computer simply thinks that another cd-rom is in the computer and using the client software you choose the file (cd) to insert into the cd-rom by the cilck of a button, you can use this cd-rom EXACTLy as you would a normal cd-rom, so you could burn (*cough* back up) the cd, use it to install and then play the game without the actual cd in your computer, or even just copy the whole thing to your hard drive, on a 100Mbit network it would run fine as long as not too many people accessed it at once. It would save alot of time on like burning cd's, and for people that dont always have the latest games/software they can load up a number of games off this computer to play by themselves or networked together. Personally I think it would be a great idea so you dont actually need the game yourself and can play fine then delete it if you dont want without having to copy the cd, any thoughts or suggestions greatly appreciated
Also TN1 - Spoke to the geeks on base and they said that it would be ok if you would like to borrow some of the switches at time as long as work does not need them as work takes precedences any way contact me and i'll give you someone to speak to.
Will certainly make things much easier, and well getting games of the network through a CD image (I assume thats what its like) rather than getting the 1GB installed game makes things much easier.
There is the potential of a huge network slow down at the beginning when everyone is transfering the data. But once everyone has the game, it would make it much easier to fill a server - as everyone will already have the game.
The idea of virtual CD over the network is very convenient, as some of those no cd patches are a pain! [Blocked image]
<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quoteQuote: It would save alot of time on like burning cd's, and for people that dont always have the latest games/software they can load up a number of games off this computer to play by themselves or networked together.
Of course, the people that wanted the latest games would go and buy them so they could play them leagally, right?
Look, if you want to pirate games with your friends then it is none of mine or DGA's business.. but if you go setting up a server with network shared copies of copyrighted cds and encouraging people to install or copy those cds we will have to ask you to unplug it.
If you're going to be sharing patches, updates and drivers, by all means - go for it.
Please try to avoid advertising this kind of thing.
Bear in mind that this will have a severe effect on network performance.
The DGA neither condones nor promotes software piracy. Acts of organized software distribution are very highly frowned upon by the men in black coats. Keep this in mind before you get too caried away.
READ THE POST BEFORE YOU GET ALL TOUCHY It would save time on burning cd's, who said what they were burning, and also, there is nothing illegal about sharing out the game cd on a cd server, hence why cd server's were invented, they are there for convenience, as long as the cd is the original, there is no legal issues, ffs.
Whilst i dont disagree with you in the fact that it would be good for all LANners, i feel i should put my two bobs worth in. I know that all copyrighted materials need licensing for running on multiple machines (even if it is running from the original cd). However, i only know that this is for Microsoft Apps, im not 100% about games.
CD Towers were originally brought in solely for convenience (as your argued case). When any LATIS school (i work for CSM, dont hold it against me) uses software through their cd towers, they still MUST obtain licences for every instance of the app they intend on running.
On the flip side tho, people are continually burning illegal software at DGA's and other LAN events anyway, and no one has said anything about that in the past....how is this any different Cthulu??
This may not work with protected cds as they require subnet data and because of its low level nature. I would worry that this data may be lost in putting the CD on the hard disk or from the transfer through the client. If this happened you will be able to burn a copy but it wont be an exact copy lacking in the protection data. Meaning that somewhere it will screw up.
You might want to check if it will burn a cd and then if that cd will work all the way, through install and play.
As for the school sharing the Encarta cd, they have to get special licenses. Usually its proximity, meaning that all computers in the complex up to a certain number can access and install this software. Therefore I think I may be legal to take your computer onsite and install software from the servers, as long as you remember to remove it once you leave. hmm
Paragon CD-ROM Emulator backs up sub-data channels, the works, it is not a breach of anything, look at any game, once you buy it, you cant just run it on one machine can you? No. you can run on any number, with the cd server, you are merely running it on more then one at once but with one "ORIGINAL" (yes, that was original) CD and is not a breach of copyright or piracy acts.
Lataf, spongebob, you may correct me at any stage here but I'm like 99% certain i'm right!