Patching Idea

[UncleFester]

I know this has been brought up in the past (I just got back from taking a few months off). But I can't believe that we have not simply kept the pre-patch files on an ftp server so that people with brand-new installs could patch to that version without going with the latest.

First off, we know what files are patched from the log. We know which ones to roll back to if the patch occurs. Second, the patch files themselves are usually not in large numbers so bandwidth usage should not be huge for the few people who need the updated, but still pre-patch files.

I can do this on my own if no one else wants to help, but I would still need a place to put these files so other could download and manually patch their installs.

Fester

[Charmy]

One word. Warez. Personally i think its a great idea to have the older files available, hell you could actually get an eq classic server up and running, that would be fun! but problem is that you can get in deep for hosting warez, my suggestion if you want to do it, use some free internet service that doesn't mind off site linking, least you won't be hosting the files yourself, and you don't run much of the risk, not that there is a huge one to start with, but eh... anyway, with all that aside, i sure would love to see some of the older eq files, a few things i have been trying to get to work on my LAN server that you used to be able to do on the older versions before they were patched. Btw i know there was a group of people who used to host the old eqgame.exe files, but they changed their website, or they shutdown i dunno, was called forever hack or forever hackers or somthing, anyhoo good luck and i will look with it =)

[mikenune]

My suggestion: Completely ignore Charmy's suggestion!

Not only will hosting EQ files get you banned from these forums (and from EQEMu) permanently, it could get you thrown in prison!

Hosting warez is both illegal and amoral. Companies take their intellectual property rights very seriously!

[UncleFester]

Look Kiddo. I'm 43 years old. Before you were born I was fighting legal battles over my business (real estate), so I know a little bit about the situation.

The patch files are files already given to us. There is nothing morally wrong about holding those patched files since the person who was going to use those files MUST already have paid for the full install to even have any use for them.

And as far as banning, go ahead, you'll just lose a supporter and contributor who has been halping this project for years.

Fester

[Shaun11]

I would have to agree with UncleFester on this. Though i dont know a lot about the legal system his argument is very true. They give us these patch files willingly and for free. Excluding the major patches like LDoN, GoD, and other expansions. But those we pay for. As long as no one redistibutes the expansion files (which we payed for), just the patch files (for free) there should be no legal penalties. As I said I don't know a lot about the legal system but that is my opinion.

[Jezebell]

The main point against this is that the Developers of EQEmu do not want to draw Sony's attention to their project. Hosting Everquest files could possibly lead to that. I don't think it is so much the legalities of doing so as the unwanted attention that it could draw here. Like has been posted many times before....if Sony sued EQEmu or the people that run it, they do not have the finances to support paying lawyers to defend them in the lawsuit and Sony does. I'm pretty sure thats what it comes down to.

[UncleFester]

I'm not talking about saving those files and letting people downloading them as much as I am simply making a patch system that patches to those files, even if the person patched to the latest live patch. No one would even know they were getting pre-live patch files unless of they read this message = )

Same patch system of the commercial servers, just that we are patching to what we know works.

Fester

[mikenune]

Look Kiddo. I'm 43 years old. Before you were born I was fighting legal battles over my business (real estate), so I know a little bit about the situation.

The patch files are files already given to us. There is nothing morally wrong about holding those patched files since the person who was going to use those files MUST already have paid for the full install to even have any use for them.

And as far as banning, go ahead, you'll just lose a supporter and contributor who has been halping this project for years.

Fester
So what? They're still EQ game files and, as such, the property of SoE and Verant.

The thing you're so blatantly ignoring is that you, in fact, DIDN'T get those files for free. You payed for them when you bought the EQ CDs.

But let's ignore that fact for a second. In fact, let's use an example like MySQL which DOES give their software away for free.

What do you think MySQL Inc. would do if you were providing their software without their permission?

You're still attempting to privide software and program files created and actively supported by another company WITHOUT THEIR CONSENT. That's still illegal no matter how you try to justify it to yourself.

And, while we're on the subject of legal battles, I also would like to point out that intellectual property (like software) is completely different than physical property (like real estate). I, as someone who manages data warehousing for a fast food chain, can guarantee that I am significantly more qualified to talk about the legalities of software distribution than you are. Just like you are, without a doubt, more qualified to talk about the legal aspects of your job.

Oh, one last thing. Don't call me "kiddo," old man.

[Jezebell]

Hosting the files so people can download them or creating a patcher that downloads them to peoples computers is the exact same thing. Either way, if you are somehow providing the files to people who may not have purchased those files retail from Sony, that is what is looked down upon.

EQEMulator Forum Rules!! (http://www.eqemulator.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=96)

1) No Warez (No Discussion or Providing of Warez). Warez is any file that has been obtained without purchase from the company or a "legit" vendor, or without the sole permission of the owner, or company is considered illegal and is not permitted on these forums. This also includes all EQ files and also means do NOT ask, give out, host, or in some other way promote the giving out of these files. This includes but is not limited to: The EQ Patcher, eqgame.exe, eqmain.dll, spdat.eff, cshome.s3d, cshome_chr.s3d, or ANY file downloaded with the Verant EQ Patcher (aka Everquest.exe) with the exeption of files that can be re-created within 10 seconds by hand (this means eqhost.txt is okay).

[UncleFester]

No one would be the wiser is what I am saying. Even if they could sue, so what? Anyone can sue anyone else over anything. The point is they most likely would never sue anyone over making their own patch system. They would have to prove that the patch system was providing files that originated from their corporation in the first place.

All those things being said, there would be very little if any chance they would sue anyone. And even if they did, some of us have attorney's we keep a retainer on we would be happy to put to good use..........

Oh, and sorry about the Kiddo thing if you take offense to that. At my age I now know I didn't know crap at 20 even though I thought I knew everything. So I understand your mindset fully. If you however would like to trade places, I would be happy to be 20 again.

Fester

[freak88]

enuff about creating a "patch server and patch client" it has been done, there was a reason it was stopped. as for distributing sony`s property to other people, it is illegal. while installing you accept the agreement that says you will not modify or redistribute files obtained from the instilation or from files downloaded from soe. accepting that licence agreement is like accpeting the property contract from realistate, once you sign/click accept, you must follow it. the only thing sony has on this project. is money, and without a valid case that wont get them very far. which is prolly why they havent touched it yet. as long as the devs arnt using any of the functions from the game or live servers(which they arnt) soe cant touch eqemu. but what they can do is say that the dev`s disassembled there property, get a huge legal team togather, and start throwing money at a case, and like the dev`s have said many times they do not have the cash to throw back at sony, and will be stuck with a legal system provided lawer. which will still take all the cash the dev`s have obtained.
so basicly its.

Lay low keep soe off our shit
or
renegate against sony and be shut down
they chose to lay low, giving you guys an alternate reality to play in.

so shut the fuck up, follow the guides RTFM. and quit asking questions like this

[UncleFester]

If they are really that paranoid and worried about it, then it's best just to make a new game. Screw messing with old broken borrowed stuff using an old graphics engine simply so a few teenagers can play for free. It just ends up always being a half working project slowly running out of time, and with no patcher.

Fester

[freak88]

If they are really that paranoid and worried about it, then it's best just to make a new game. Screw messing with old broken borrowed stuff using an old graphics engine simply so a few teenagers can play for free. It just ends up always being a half working project slowly running out of time, and with no patcher.

Fester

ok... obviusly you dont know what your talking about. none of the shit is "borowed" they arnt using the grafix engine. the code is 100% writen by them, and if you have looked at it and knew anything about coding you would notice it isnt exactly some small project,\. as for the comment about half working, you obviusly have not been in the opensource scene to long. if people here that are capable of coding would contribute to this(oh yea people this is open source), then we will have some decent software, this project is hosted at sourceforge, dev changes can be submited via cvs and then the actual dev`s can look at it and aprove it for inclusion or whatever. that is the beuty of open source, never ending upgrades, evin without the core devteam someone else could pick this project back up at any time.

ok and now on to faster who thinks this project will fail cause there is no patcher to make his life easyer. why dont you take your 35 dollars and pay for sony`s live access if you dont like ours? why can you not read the manual`s and follow the fucking guides? if you did you would realise that a patcher is not needed. i bet your one of those people who buys a model car and puts it togather without directs. if you are... you dont belong in the opensource world.

this is our world... so get the fuck out

[Derision]

freak88:

http://www.eqemulator.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=96

Rule 2. No flames. If you disagree with UncleFester, be polite and argue your case. There is no no need to resort to swearing at him.

[volcom]

<3

[gthang187]

well guys i dont see a need for a patcher. i say if you wanna work with old client and code. just install the regular eq and get the first server and just work on it.

also if its just so people that cant or forget to backup there client they will just haveta live with it untill the devs release a newer version of the server emu :)

there is my 2 cents as for the way you guys act on here no commit HAHA

[mikenune]

No one would be the wiser is what I am saying.
I'd go ahead and rebut, but I've found the source of your problem.

So, if you killed someone after raping and torturing them. . .

There's nothing wrong with it since nobody found out?

You might want to thoroughly review your morals friend. And I'm not just saying that to try and sound superior, I'm saying that because, if you truly believe that, you need help. And, just like the whole intellectual property laws thing, I can say that with some authority. . .

[Charmy]

ouch mike bit of a harsh example, but anyway.
although i agree with alot of what you all said it still makes me think there is somthing odd


1) No Warez (No Discussion or Providing of Warez). Warez is any file that has been obtained without purchase from the company or a "legit" vendor, or without the sole permission of the owner, or company is considered illegal and is not permitted on these forums

in theory didn't we all attain our copies from "legit" vendors? although don't get me wrong i can see what you mean by this being an issue due to the fact we only did pay for one copy of the files and thus releaseing our copy would result in more than just one copy out there... so i understand what you mean... eh.. probably why i am not a lawyer...

well anyway, i suppose further discussion by me will only result in my ass getting whooped so with that..


I end

[UncleFester]

Sorry, but I am the most moral person on this board. Look into my past and you will see. Actually my entire life has been dedicated to helping others. This has nothing to do with a violent act which you previously stated, and has nothing to do with theft.

If it did, I would have nothing to do with it, nor would I even think of posting in this forum. If everything was as you stated, then this server software would not use SOE's client nor any of their content, nor any of their logo's or anythign else. Even though you may retort that EQEMU has nothing to do with, nor borrows anything form SOE, it does, and almost everything about it IS Everquest. Not sure how you can deny that.

Third. I've paid over $3000 American dollars to play EQ for the past five and a half years. Every time their system patches my client, I am paying for that patch. Morally I should have the right to give that file, or files plural to anyone who has also PAYED SOE to play EQ, Payed for botht eh CD's and the service.

I suppose you will never see my logic, just that same as I will never see how you could claim nothing in EQEMU uses anything from the SOE owned Everquest game.

This is my last post to this thread. I am trying to quit smoking and am on the edge of rage as is.

Fester

[Charmy]

Third. I've paid over $3000 American dollars to play EQ for the past five and a half years. Every time their system patches my client, I am paying for that patch. Morally I should have the right to give that file, or files plural to anyone who has also PAYED SOE to play EQ, Payed for botht eh CD's and the service.

i totaly agree however, the fact is, and i really truthfully just realized this, working with the files yourself i see absolutly no problem with, its the distribution of them to the others ont he boards, i mean you cannot play eqemu without having a full version of EQ, so its not like somone could come here and DL your old version files and play eq on their own LAN eqemu server... but the fact does remain that you may have paid 3k for your eq time, but thats for YOU. <cough> still doesn't take away from the fact i wish i had mine <cough> So although i admit i would like to see the files, i am sure there is some sentence in that eula sony paid some guy 10 grand to write, that says you can't distribute the files out to other people, and thus you would have to keep those files to yourself to remain "legal" as it were...

and with that...

I end

[Jezebell]

And how can you prove that the people you are patching the files to actually ever bought Everquest? It is possible they borrowed their friends copy or got a hold of Everquest.exe and downloaded all the files through Sony's patcher. You can't verify that.

[Charmy]

Hmm good point, well with that i suppose there isn't much more to debate =/.........Final Post for here =)

[Shaun11]

ok... obviusly you dont know what your talking about. none of the shit is "borowed" they arnt using the grafix engine. the code is 100% writen by them, and if you have looked at it and knew anything about coding you would notice it isnt exactly some small project,\. as for the comment about half working, you obviusly have not been in the opensource scene to long. if people here that are capable of coding would contribute to this(oh yea people this is open source), then we will have some decent software, this project is hosted at sourceforge, dev changes can be submited via cvs and then the actual dev`s can look at it and aprove it for inclusion or whatever. that is the beuty of open source, never ending upgrades, evin without the core devteam someone else could pick this project back up at any time.

ok and now on to faster who thinks this project will fail cause there is no patcher to make his life easyer. why dont you take your 35 dollars and pay for sony`s live access if you dont like ours? why can you not read the manual`s and follow the fucking guides? if you did you would realise that a patcher is not needed. i bet your one of those people who buys a model car and puts it togather without directs. if you are... you dont belong in the opensource world.

this is our world... so get the fuck out

As you say if this game is 100% EQemu's code then where is the harm in holding the files up on a site? By the way i got my EQemu working again from a link on the EQemu website, news portion. It has the patch files that still work with version 5.7 dev 2 (or something like that).

[freak88]

ok... obviusly you dont know what your talking about. none of the shit is "borowed" they arnt using the grafix engine. the code is 100% writen by them, and if you have looked at it and knew anything about coding you would notice it isnt exactly some small project,\. as for the comment about half working, you obviusly have not been in the opensource scene to long. if people here that are capable of coding would contribute to this(oh yea people this is open source), then we will have some decent software, this project is hosted at sourceforge, dev changes can be submited via cvs and then the actual dev`s can look at it and aprove it for inclusion or whatever. that is the beuty of open source, never ending upgrades, evin without the core devteam someone else could pick this project back up at any time.

ok and now on to faster who thinks this project will fail cause there is no patcher to make his life easyer. why dont you take your 35 dollars and pay for sony`s live access if you dont like ours? why can you not read the manual`s and follow the fucking guides? if you did you would realise that a patcher is not needed. i bet your one of those people who buys a model car and puts it togather without directs. if you are... you dont belong in the opensource world.

this is our world... so get the fuck out

As you say if this game is 100% EQemu's code then where is the harm in holding the files up on a site? By the way i got my EQemu working again from a link on the EQemu website, news portion. It has the patch files that still work with version 5.7 dev 2 (or something like that).

ok now your just missing the point, the server you connect to is the emu`s code, the client you use(no one is forcing you to use this client, write your own if you dont like it) is sony`s, emu does not own the client, therefor they cannot distribute files from it, but they can tell you how to modify them.

[mikenune]

The EQEMu programs and source code (and MiniLogin.exe) have been created by the EQEMu devs and, as such, they CAN distribute those freely. The discussion here is about whether or not you can distribute the EQ client files (Everquest.exe, EQGame.exe, etc.).

Shockingly, most people here seem to be saying that they find nothing wrong with doing so.

What they don't seem to realize is that they ARE NOT PURCHASING THE RIGHTS TO THE PROGRAM. After you go out and buy a copy of Windows XP Home Edition, YOU DO NOT OWN THAT PROGRAM.

What you are doing is purchasing the right to USE THAT PROGRAM UNDER THE RESTRICTIONS AND GUIDELINES SET FORTH IN THE USER LICENSE.

In the case of EQ, you are purchasing the legal rights to use that program on a single computer. THE COMPANY STILL OWNS ALL RIGHTS TO THAT PROGRAM.

Many people seem to believe (as I did up until about 3 years ago) that, by providing software files/programs to others, you weren't hurting anybody because, unlike stealing a car, the original program is left exactly where it is. By giving it to someone else, you aren't causing anybody else to lose the ability to run the files/program. What you don't realize is that you are STILL BREAKING THE LAW because you are attempting - even if it's unintentional - to undermine the financial stability and intellectual property rights of that software's creator.

Now, some of you might still say "but the files that EQ patches don't matter because they don't work anymore. At least not in the way originally intended."

That doesn't matter either. Even if they are abandoned, they are still covered as "abandonware." Just because a program or file is no longer actively supported does not invalidate the fact that it is still owned by someone else. Just because a company no longer sells or provides a computer program or any part thereof, does not change the fact that it is still covered by it's original licensing and trademarks/pantents.

The EQEMu devs (well, actually "The Public" since it's GPL'd) STILL own the rights to the old/previous EQEMu versions. It doesn't matter that the current version is 0.5.7-DR2. That still doesn't erase their rights to version 0.5.5. Or even version 0.1.4.

Anyway, I don't seem to be getting very far here so this will be my last post on the matter.

P.S.
Charmy, that example was supposed to be harsh. It had to be so obviously wrong (both legally and morally) that nobody would be able to argue differently.

P.P.S.
UncleFester, using the EQ Client program to play on EQEMu servers isn't illegal because, as I stated earlier in this post, you are doing nothing more than using that software. You, by playing on EQEMu servers, are still obeying the lisence agreement.

By distributing files, however, you are doing more than just using the software. You are providing that software to others, something you have no right to do because, even though you have the legal right to use the software, you do not have the right to distribute it.

[eq_addict_08]

What I would like to see would be some sort of changelog of the Everquest client files. List which files changed from version 5.5 to 5.6 5.7, etc. That way I could have a fairly small directory with the changed files and a large directory with the zone files and whatnot. Then just make a batch file to copy whatever version I want to run into the main directory. Would eliminate need for multiple 2.5 gig dirs.. (May have to take some time and md5sum all of em and get something of the sort together)

[Charmy]

This is my final post on the matter but i had to get it in.

In the case of EQ, you are purchasing the legal rights to use that program on a single computer. THE COMPANY STILL OWNS ALL RIGHTS TO THAT PROGRAM.


Then in theory my installing on my laptop and desktop... i am breaking the law? i mean that is in a sense what you are saying, that is what microsoft ended up saying with windows xp, two computers... two copies... now i personally think that 100% bullshit, however, its the way it is.

and one quick question, you said that EQEmu uses no borrowed files?, that its all their original code.. but aren't the zone files made by SOE? and the Character model textures? and everything else included in those hundrededs of files taking up space in my eq folder? or do i no longer need them becuase eqemu has the ability to fun free of any "borrowed" files.... no i can't.

Now back to the topic, here is my question, what if i send my friend a copy of the pre patched files, fully aware that he has in fact purchased the full EQ client package, he has paid the company for these files, but he wants the older ones, ones which he did have before he ran the patch progam, this is breaking the law no? well what about if it was me who was at his house and patched his computer by mistake, i mean.. i have the files, it was my mistake, so if i did it, its like the files were mine at the time, so in theory i should be able to use them as i see fit right???? i know you can't tell if evey person on these boards has purchased their everquest from a "legit" source, but still given this situation am i still braking the law? even more so, what if I bought the copy of eq for my friend? i own that set of files, given they were in a different box.. and are now on a different computer. but they are still mine, so i should be able to use files from my other computer to "fix" this one right? according to what your saying this isn't right, i am breaking the law in using my own recources to fix an issue that i... well own..


P.S. reguardless of how harsh you ment it to sound, still not a very good example.

[freak88]

This is my final post on the matter but i had to get it in.

In the case of EQ, you are purchasing the legal rights to use that program on a single computer. THE COMPANY STILL OWNS ALL RIGHTS TO THAT PROGRAM.


Then in theory my installing on my laptop and desktop... i am breaking the law? i mean that is in a sense what you are saying, that is what microsoft ended up saying with windows xp, two computers... two copies... now i personally think that 100% bullshit, however, its the way it is.

and one quick question, you said that EQEmu uses no borrowed files?, that its all their original code.. but aren't the zone files made by SOE? and the Character model textures? and everything else included in those hundrededs of files taking up space in my eq folder? or do i no longer need them becuase eqemu has the ability to fun free of any "borrowed" files.... no i can't.

Now back to the topic, here is my question, what if i send my friend a copy of the pre patched files, fully aware that he has in fact purchased the full EQ client package, he has paid the company for these files, but he wants the older ones, ones which he did have before he ran the patch progam, this is breaking the law no? well what about if it was me who was at his house and patched his computer by mistake, i mean.. i have the files, it was my mistake, so if i did it, its like the files were mine at the time, so in theory i should be able to use them as i see fit right???? i know you can't tell if evey person on these boards has purchased their everquest from a "legit" source, but still given this situation am i still braking the law? even more so, what if I bought the copy of eq for my friend? i own that set of files, given they were in a different box.. and are now on a different computer. but they are still mine, so i should be able to use files from my other computer to "fix" this one right? according to what your saying this isn't right, i am breaking the law in using my own recources to fix an issue that i... well own..


P.S. reguardless of how harsh you ment it to sound, still not a very good example.


the model files are client side, and the zone files are also client side, the server just knows where the zone lines are. as for using multiple comps. all sony says is one copy of everquest per person. not per comp. this is my last post in this forum as it is a pointless discussion. here is the facts

Distributing files provided for your use by sony is illegal.
disasembeling binary files provided for your use by sony is illegal
eqemu uses nothing that sony provides. as long as proper tradmark rights are givin it can be named eqemu.
and finaly, we are not all angels. 90% of us could care less what you do with your install of eq, just dont post it in the forums where it gives probable cause to soe.

[mikenune]

This is my final post on the matter but i had to get it in.

In the case of EQ, you are purchasing the legal rights to use that program on a single computer. THE COMPANY STILL OWNS ALL RIGHTS TO THAT PROGRAM.


Then in theory my installing on my laptop and desktop... i am breaking the law? i mean that is in a sense what you are saying, that is what microsoft ended up saying with windows xp, two computers... two copies... now i personally think that 100% bullshit, however, its the way it is.

and one quick question, you said that EQEmu uses no borrowed files?, that its all their original code.. but aren't the zone files made by SOE? and the Character model textures? and everything else included in those hundrededs of files taking up space in my eq folder? or do i no longer need them becuase eqemu has the ability to fun free of any "borrowed" files.... no i can't.

Now back to the topic, here is my question, what if i send my friend a copy of the pre patched files, fully aware that he has in fact purchased the full EQ client package, he has paid the company for these files, but he wants the older ones, ones which he did have before he ran the patch progam, this is breaking the law no? well what about if it was me who was at his house and patched his computer by mistake, i mean.. i have the files, it was my mistake, so if i did it, its like the files were mine at the time, so in theory i should be able to use them as i see fit right???? i know you can't tell if evey person on these boards has purchased their everquest from a "legit" source, but still given this situation am i still braking the law? even more so, what if I bought the copy of eq for my friend? i own that set of files, given they were in a different box.. and are now on a different computer. but they are still mine, so i should be able to use files from my other computer to "fix" this one right? according to what your saying this isn't right, i am breaking the law in using my own recources to fix an issue that i... well own..


P.S. reguardless of how harsh you ment it to sound, still not a very good example.
Remember, the licenses are to USE software, not install it. That means that, as long as you're only using EQ (or Windows XP for that matter) on one computer at a time, then you aren't breaking the law. However, if you only had one copy of Windows XP and you used that on both your laptop and desktop computers AT THE SAME TIME (like at a LAN or something where you're allowing a friend to use your laptop) then you are breaking the law.

As for the example of EQEMu using the zone files, yes, they do use the zone files on your computer. However, they do not distribute those files with their program. If they did, they'd be breaking the law. However, if you have Everquest installed on your computer (legally, at least) then all you're doing by running EQEMu is USING those files. You aren't distributing them to the ppl that log into your server. Again, anyone who connects to your server must already have those files on their computer. Therefore it's legal.

And finally, as to your P.S. comment on the. . . relevance of my example, it is a perfect example. The ONLY difference (legally) between raping, torturing, then murdering someone and distributing files that you don't have the rights to is extremes. Yes, one is a violent crime and one is not, but they are still both illegal. And that's all that matters.

[RexChaos]

And how can you prove that the people you are patching the files to actually ever bought Everquest? It is possible they borrowed their friends copy or got a hold of Everquest.exe and downloaded all the files through Sony's patcher. You can't verify that.

In that case, the harm has already been done. Not much they could do with just your files if they didn't have the game already.

[em_palpatine]

theres only one problem with the argument that your trying to fight. the licensse agreement that you agree to is provided AFTER you have patched meaning that eq has distributed ALL patch files for free of charge and without any legal commitment after you have innialty installed the game and the first legal binding agreement of the origanal cd files meaning you can do whatever you want with patched files because you have not agreed to any binding agreement until after you enter the exucuted program after patching. you are legaly able to patch free files from sony. the contract is after you patch. just look to UO for arguments there the reason sony hasn't/cant do anything except make threats.

[Meekrat29]

Everyone is worried about legal problems with creating a client/server patch system. Would anyone be willing to create a patch program that would be run from client side only. The program would need to be run after each live patch so that it could collect the modifed files and compress them into a backup file. If you came upon a need to resort to an earlier patch this program would have all the information it needed to remove the newer files and restore the older files.

All this would be done on the client machine. The user would be collecting and maintaining thier own own files. I believe this would be a legal and easy way to store several patches, and only on the client machine.

[animepimp]

This could be slightly helpful, but the vast majority of people who patch when they shouldn't are newbies and would end up not using this to back it up anyway since it usually happens soon after they join and they don't know better.

[Meekrat29]

This is true, but it would reduce the amount of problems that I see on these boards about patching. It also would reduce the need to have multiple folders with the client (each about 2 and 1/2 gig).
The advantage would be to everyone who has limited space, not just newbies as some of the patches are only a few meg or a single file.
Just a thought.

[Zori]

This is not a suggestion
1) No Warez (No Discussion or Providing of Warez). Warez is any file that has been obtained without purchase from the company or a "legit" vendor, or without the sole permission of the owner, or company is considered illegal and is not permitted on these forums. This also includes all EQ files and also means do NOT ask, give out, host, or in some other way promote the giving out of these files. This includes but is not limited to: The EQ Patcher, eqgame.exe, eqmain.dll, spdat.eff, cshome.s3d, cshome_chr.s3d, or ANY file downloaded with the Verant EQ Patcher (aka Everquest.exe) with the exeption of files that can be re-created within 10 seconds by hand (this means eqhost.txt is okay).
if you did not back up your files you wait it's that easy. These peole for the most part are doing this for free in there own time how dare you make a suggestion like that when it is a RULE not too

[animepimp]

He's not suggesting anything that is against the rules, he's just suggesting a program that does the backups and restores for you so that its easier for less technical people to do. He called it a patch program, but its not really. I don't think it would help that much, but its definitely not against the rules.

[rizzen04]

Basically from what I read he is talking about an archiving program, how is that warez? Where is the transfering of files? its not sharing soe's files its storing different patched versions on your own machine. Good god you people freak out way too easy.

[Meekrat29]

Yes archiving program is a more proper term, that was an oversight on my part.
As stated above there is NO TRANSFER of files. The program would simply compress or copy the new files for later use, then if needed would place them back. The program would not have the ability to send or recieve files. I do this on my own, but i use access and exel to parse a log file. And it saves me a ton a HD space. I was only trying to help out with a suggestion to help people who dont have the space or skill to make their own backups and did not intend to start an argument.