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[QUOTE=punch999;155718]The Guide To Abandonware
Abandonia.com

Contents
1. Definition of Abandonware
2. Is Abandonware Legal?
3. Abandonware Vs. Oldwarez
4. Distinguish Abandonware from Oldwarez
5. The ESA
6. The functions of Dosbox
7. Where Can I get Abandonware?
8. Credits

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1. What is the definition of Abandonware?

According to wikipedia.com…

"Abandonware is computer software which is no longer being sold or supported by its copyright holder.
Alternatively, the term is also used for software which is still available, but on which further
support and development has been deliberately discontinued.
Sometimes, it is used as a blanket category for any software over a certain age, usually five years.
The term has no legal meaning. This means that labeling any kind of software 'abandonware' does not make it legal to distribute it.
Unless put in the public domain, any and all abandonware remains covered under copyright law."

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2. Is Abandonware Legal?

Abandonware, is in fact, not legal. We define it as “illegal” but the reality floats somewhere in-between. Abandonware attempts to keep the spirit of classics, without defiling the current state of the gaming nation. The core is aging games. We find those that are no longer essentially supported by the creators, and give them a home. Abandonware is mainly a repertoire of video games collected from companies that no longer seem to be sold, supported, or protected by the ESA (See “The ESA”.)

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3. Abandonware Vs. Oldwarez

There is essentially little difference between Abandonware and Oldwarez. The main being that Oldwarez sites are known to be less strict on the selection of games. When it comes to pure terminology Oldwarez is the state of a game, being abandoned or not, those that are abandoned, are placed in the grouping of Oldwarez.
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4. Distinguish Abandonware from Oldwarez

How will you know? The easiest way to find out is whether the game is still being sold. This can easily be told by places such as Amazon, or CD Access. Another method is primarily Moby Games, a excellent gaming search engine that has a massive database of various games. You can also distinguish the two by certain companies. Many that have gone under, no longer support their games, and the rights are not protected by ESA. If you are absolutely sure a game fits into one of these categories, it’s pretty safe to assume it’s state.

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5. The ESA

The ESA is a hard-working company that holds certain rights to certain software. The ESA is usually requested by specific game companies to hold their rights, so it may not be sold or distributed. Abandonware is one of the ESA’s primary targets. This is more so to keep the sites clean of anything that shouldn’t be there. This keeps Abandonware somewhat legal, without distributing copyrighted and protected games across the internet.

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6. Functions of Dosbox

Dosbox is a essential program to reliving your older memories on the PC. Modern computers cannot support older games, due to compatibility problems. Dosbox emulates a DOS environment on your computer, enabling you to enjoy games that are ordinarily incompatible with your PC.

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7. Where can I get Abandonware?

Abandonia (Abandonia.com) is our pride and joy, and for a good reason. One of the cleanest, fair, and persistently updated abandon ware sites, you can most likely find what you like. There are many Abandonware and your best bet is to simply search, be it links from one site to another, or a Abandonware ring.

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8. Credits

Writing: Alex Veley - AKA Punch999
Abandonia Creator : Kosta
WIKIPEDIA : Abandonware Definition
Revision : Pierre Theron - AKA Blood-Pigggy
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I Alex Veley allow all who wish to edit this document can do so as long as they leave most of it intact. They may also put there name down as a reviser in the credits.

Signed.[/QUOTE]

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05-11-2005 11:21 PM

TheVoid

I think that the smartest thing to do would be to link plix's guide to the main page, if the authors grant their permission to do so.

05-11-2005 04:54 PM

plix

Quote:

Originally posted by Blood-Pigggy@Nov 5 2005, 05:44 PM
Can I see the guide you wrote?

I linked it earlier, but since you asked:
The Abandonware FAQ (a full index of versions is also available).

05-11-2005 04:44 PM

Blood-Pigggy

Quote:

Originally posted by plix+Nov 5 2005, 12:32 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (plix @ Nov 5 2005, 12:32 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-punch999@Nov 5 2005, 12:51 PM
dont make 1 word posts.

I'm really doing my best to be reasonable and respectful here and I'd appreciate it if you'd do the same. I'd really rather not get involved in a flamewar.

As Tulac said, read everything that I posted rather than telling me what I can and cannot do. [/b][/quote]
Hey, let's stop elaborating, I think Tulac said enough without you having to add on.

Can I see the guide you wrote?

05-11-2005 04:32 PM

plix

Quote:

Originally posted by punch999@Nov 5 2005, 12:51 PM
dont make 1 word posts.

05-11-2005 01:30 PM

Blood-Pigggy

But tedium is my specialty.

05-11-2005 01:25 PM

Tulac

Ohhh come on Punch, did you actually read the quotes?
And please stop being so tedious both Blood Piggy and Punch...

05-11-2005 11:51 AM

punch999

dont make 1 word posts.

05-11-2005 02:57 AM

plix

Quote:

Originally posted by punch999+--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (punch999)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>I have agreed with you????[/b]

<!--QuoteBegin-plix
Except that everyone in this thread save you (and, to an uncertain degree, punch) has agreed with me and supported what I've had to say.[/quote]
Ugh.

05-11-2005 02:27 AM

punch999

I have agreed with you???? :blink: :blink:

04-11-2005 07:53 PM

Blood-Pigggy

I feel indifferent about this situation since I have nothing to do with it, yet I feel that this is completely off-topic, and therefore it's abandoned it's purpose, and forth-with should be closed.

This was by no way my fault, as the discussion got out of hand, I'm not arguing against your case (infact, I would agree with it if you had presented it relevantly to me) It wandered off around the time that Punch told you to do anything with it, and when you replied to Fruit's comment on "free source beer".
Please do not accuse others of misconceptions, this topic is just now a de-railed traincrash, and there seems to be no hope of getting it back on topic, as saying "the issue was never resolved in any clarified matter" does not relate to the topic at all, since the issue in the first place had absolutly nothing to do with a guide towards Abandonware.

Therefore your discussion has absolutly no value towards the thread, as it's not related and so on and so forth it has ceased it's sole purpose of being "on topic". Which is enough reason to close this topic.

I have nothing against you or anyone, I just hate these stupid looping arguments, that destroy a thread altogether.

Now if you don't mind, I need to go remove a soda cap that has attatched itself to my tongue (ouch).
P.S. - I'll leave this topic now as to remove any further future perogatives of spamming, you can continue if you wish, but there doesn't seem to be a sensable reason to at all.

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