Encounter Table in Inspiration Pad Pro

[Rabek]

Inspiration Pad Pro is a random generation software. I've written up the Rural Encounters Table in it so that it'll generate a full table with aliens for a given terrain at the click of a button.

Inspiration Pad Pro is free, despite having 'pro' in the name.

What's Mongoose's policy on releasing stuff like this? Can I post it to the forum, or do I have to keep it personal use only?

Mongoose has been kind enough to say they're fine with it, so here it is for anyone interested:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B1C3vhkpxrU4cFVLMHF4WDdhNmc/edit?usp=sharing

I've opened it up to comments if anyone has ideas for improvement or finds any bugs.

 

[F33D]

If it's not derived from the SRD you should ask them.

 

[AndrewW]

Email msprange@mongoosepublishing.com for any software, even if using SRD material.

 

[F33D]

Email msprange@mongoosepublishing.com for any software, even if using SRD material.

SRD derived just requires the OGL legal verbiage to be included. No other permission needed.

 

[Rabek]

What does SRD mean? It's based off the Mongoose Traveller core book.

What's the legal stuff?

 

[AndrewW]

Email msprange@mongoosepublishing.com for any software, even if using SRD material.

SRD derived just requires the OGL legal verbiage to be included. No other permission needed.

The SRD doesn't cover software.

 

[AndrewW]

What does SRD mean? It's based off the Mongoose Traveller core book.

What's the legal stuff?

System Reference Document.

http://www.mongoosepublishing.com/r...ooks-accessories/traveller-core-rulebook.html

Check the Developer's Pack.

Can also see:

http://www.travellersrd.com/

 

[Wil Mireu]

The SRD doesn't cover software.

The OGL does though. If the material has been released under the OGL (I don't know if that's true in this specific case, but I"m speaking more generally here) then software can be made of it, with certain requirements:

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=d20/oglfaq/20040123i (the OGL is the same for Wizards and Mongoose).

Q: How can the OGL be used with software?

A: Just like with other material, the OGL allows you to use any Open Content, provided you follow the terms of the OGL. Follow the requirements of the License, include the text of the license and the appropriate copyright information, and clearly identify Open Content.

NOTE: The biggest problem we've found with software and the OGL is that programmers aren't paying attention to Section 8 of the OGL. Section 8 states: ñIf you distribute Open Game Content You must clearly indicate which portions of the work that you are distributing are Open Content.î This doesn't mean you can say ñall rules in my program are Openî, the users need to be able to see all that Open Content. You can do this by putting Open Content in a format that is easy to understand. Popular solutions have been to place everything in text files that the program pulls info from, having everything in a viewable database within the software, using Java script on a webpage (viewing the source of the webpage will display the code and Java script is relatively easy for a user to interpret). The key is that the user has to see everything that is Open Content that the program uses and be able to understand it without too much effort. The whole point of the OGL is that once information is declared Open everyone has free access to it under the OGL. Compiling that information into a program denies the user that access and violates the spirit of the Open Gaming License.

 

[Rabek]

Well, looking at that, the encounter tables are part of the SRD, so it should be okay?

Just need to find the text that needs included.

And it's not actually software, so much as a file that is interpreted by software. It's basically plaintext.

 

[F33D]

Email msprange@mongoosepublishing.com for any software, even if using SRD material.

SRD derived just requires the OGL legal verbiage to be included. No other permission needed.

The SRD doesn't cover software.

IF using SRD material, OGL does. Go ask any competent IP Atty.

 

[AndrewW]

There's been discussion of software before, the answer ends up being to check even if all the material used is availabel in the SRD.

 

[F33D]

There's been discussion of software before, the answer ends up being to check even if all the material used is availabel in the SRD.

So? That answer is incorrect. Anyone that understands the OGL knows that.

 

[AndrewW]

What Can’t I do?
The following is not permitted under the Traveller Developer’s Pack – if you wish to attempt one of these projects, you should contact Mongoose Publishing for further information at msprange@mongoosepublishing.com. This is not a comprehensive list, and you should get in contact if you want to do anything that is not covered by the Fair Use Policy or Logo Licences.

Publish material for older and out of print versions of Traveller, and release them commercially.
Publish software based on the current edition of Traveller.
Publish Original Traveller Universe material beyond the confines of the Fair Use Policy or Foreven Free Sector Logo Licence.

 

[Wil Mireu]

Publish material for older and out of print versions of Traveller, and release them commercially.
Publish software based on the current edition of Traveller.
Publish Original Traveller Universe material beyond the confines of the Fair Use Policy or Foreven Free Sector Logo Licence.

The OGL takes precedence - that's just how it works. Granted, it can't include any material that is part of the Traveller IP (e.g Third Imperium, setting-specific stuff)... but whatever is published under the OGL is Open, for all that entails. Including Software.

If Matt doesn't want people publishing software based on the OGL, he should have thought about that before he made the material OGL in the first place.

EDIT: Also, what you quoted is for the "Traveller Developers Pack". That is not the OGL. The Traveller Developers Pack only covers Fair Use, the Traveller Logo License, and the Foreven Free Sector Logo License. All of that includes Traveller IP, so making software based on that is (correctly) subject to approval by Mongoose. But the OGL is outside of that, and its limitations are set by the Open Gaming License, which is defined by Wizards of the Coast.

They even say that later regarding the TLL:

However, remember the Golden Rule of Open Content. What is Open stays Open, and what is based on open stays Open.

That is exactly the reason why it's OK to write software based on OGL material - so long as the Open material is included in a human-readable form.

 

[F33D]

What Can’t I do?
The following is not permitted under the Traveller Developer’s Pack – if you wish to attempt one of these projects, you should contact Mongoose Publishing for further information at msprange@mongoosepublishing.com. This is not a comprehensive list, and you should get in contact if you want to do anything that is not covered by the Fair Use Policy or Logo Licences.

Publish material for older and out of print versions of Traveller, and release them commercially.
Publish software based on the current edition of Traveller.
Publish Original Traveller Universe material beyond the confines of the Fair Use Policy or Foreven Free Sector Logo Licence.

Correct. You can only use the SRD material and you can't use the name Traveller, TM's, etc..

The OGL is OPEN however. For example: Paizo could make s/w for their Pathfinder RPG (based on the D20 SRD)

 

[Rabek]

Got a response. They said it's fine! So I'll update the OP for anyone that wants to utilize it.