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Perhaps it would be necessary to invent a new term, more complete than
"freeware", for a new point of view in free programs. What if now came
the idea that a program, in addition to being given away free, was given with
the possibility of modifying it? Admittedly, free programs are given away
with the sources in general; but few people, unless being experienced
programmers, are able to modify the programs which they use. What if
now the "free" programs were given with the possibility of modifying
them easily and no matter by whom?
Recently on the net exists a small outline of this point of view.
http://david.fauthoux.free.fr
Voluntarily based on a ultra-known game (bomberman), this game can
be modified at will by writing (with pleasure!) in its initialization
file. For example, one can add an interface with an image of
his choice by adding the line
background=myPicture.gid
And one can stick full with animations everywhere simply by adding lines
like " loop anim ="... And for more simplicity, one finds the site
full of tutorials...
You understand well that this point of view demands a certain
robustness and a broad flexibility with the engine of the program. We stop
one moment on this remark. In effect, it is not enough to change some lines
to make what one wants of a program. It was thus necessary to implement
another way of proceeding. This one is addressed to the programmers, but
not necessarily experienced ones, even beginners. The programming of the game
is strongly structured (c++), thus is allows a high-level understanding
of operation (to look at the names of objects and functions is enough,
there is no need to rely on complicated algorithms). But beyond that, this
structuring allows the implementation of Addon technology: Thanks to
this new technology, it is possible to supplement the program in an
ultra-accessible fashion, in writing addons, and all the addons written
around the world are and will be compatible! An addon of less than 20ko
can add an option to the game: the addon released in September adds an
option (with animations and music of course!) creates a pursuit in the game!
The capacity of addons is limited only by your imagination.
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