Protecting our Mods.

[ecksile]

This sounds familiar ;D Edited March 19, 2011 by ecksile

[BreadedChickenKnife]

I hope this clears things up.

 

1 Program to Protect. The Creator now has a protected plugin.

1 Program to use a Protected File. The end-user now has a way to play others' protected mods.

 

 

The purpose of this post is not to encourage RE. But I am pleased to inform potential users of my tools, that no Reverse Engineer on earth would bother to try, soon after they discover the truth of the following:

 

1. No crack could be distributed that hastens the process of obtaining an unprotected plugin or automates the steps to uncovering one.

2. Every ESP will be protected in such a unique way that the effort involved in breaking the protection, would far outweigh their patience and most likely time.

 

Before I get into details of how this is all possible, I will address the main concerns many will have.

 

A. Performance. The performance of your game will not be noticeably affected. Once the plugin is loaded into the game, you are set. Only at startup will there be any delay. The delay will be quite minimal . Restarting the game is the same idea. If these conditions change I will update everyone.

 

Out of fear of being criticized I will only slightly elaborate on something relating to performance. The mod creator is the only one who may experience small inconvenience while waiting for the protector to do its job. So some visible delay should hold true for the person using the protection but not really the people who play the protected mod after its handed out.

 

 

B. Dependencies. If your favorite modders likes to use my program to protect their mod(s), then you will need to expect a program to allow you to play their mod(s). Use of my program is optional to begin with.

 

Furthermore, my program does not make the mod creator dependent on anything to continue to develop an unprotected version. The common sense approach is to protect only a *copy* the file.

 

 

C. Outcomes.

I think most of us can agree that the outcome of voluntary submissions of information is often a a joyous feeling for the submitter and the community.

 

Not every submitter feels a complete obligation to exposing their work. Some are kind enough to let you play their impressive mods and others will even hold your hand to help you learn a new technique. That is their will.

 

D. Legal standings and Community Law.

First we should consult the Nexus rules and see what , if any, are violated and how we determine what is relevant to this tool and the protected mods that are to be uploaded.

 

 

 

“All files uploaded must have been created by the uploader or used with permission from the original author of the content. “

 

So the ESPs we share are ours? Then a protected ESP is still ours. The use of my tool is optional, thus the creator did consent to what was done to the ESP. Seems to be as fair to let people upload protected ESPs.

 

 

The tool I will give someone permission to upload, or simply upload it myself. Check..

 

 

“Any files that contain sexual images or reference of sexual acts...“

 

People will still attempt this and they get banned. My protector would not cause that behavior.

 

“Do not upload files that contain viruses, malware, spyware, adware or any software or code that would compromise the integrity of a system or the user’s game.”

 

Most would agree that to compromise the integrity of a user's game, it doesn't take much. It typically is not intended. I hope people to a proper investigation before jumping to conclusions about a diminished integrity of X computer.

 

My program will not be a virus. Malware being categorically acceptable for some DRMs and Anti-cheats, isn't applicable to what users of my program will experience.

 

“Do not upload files that are knowingly broken and known to prevent the majority of member’s games from working properly.”

If someone frequently uploaded broken files and did not state in the description why they occur broke, then there is a good reason for suspicion. Till then, they shouldn't be accused of mischief unless you have proof.

 

I think if people noted that their plugin is protected in their readme and on their download page, then fears should be pretty low. If I was the moderator and received a complaint, I would check the file in these ways,

I. Virus Scan. II. Does it have a known file format? III. Can it even execute?

In the case of the protected plugins, they will pass those tests. HARMLESS.

 

 

“Do not upload files that are password protected or contain password protected sections.”

No problem here. The rules obviously applies to the classic password protected zip files and archives.

 

 

I would see if the file can even be executed, scan it with a virus scanner, and see if there are known file formats that at all match.

The protected plugins which would be uploaded, would pass all these tests.

 

“Do not upload files that require users to pay any sort of financial sum for parts or all of your file. You cannot charge money for the files you upload to Nexus sites.”

Good advice. Also know that this could of always been done, and we don't care for weasels who try to make money that way.

 

 

Final thoughts,

 

My concerns for Bethesda's reactions:

Bethesda could come after me or any of you. But that remains true in many cases regardless of the subject.

 

Legally, Bethesda could also go after the people who have reverse engineered Oblivion, Fallout 3, and New Vegas. I think we know by now that we are valued for our mods. Mods do commonly use a script extender, which was made possible through Reverse Engineering.

Edited March 19, 2011 by BreadedChickenKnife

[razorpony]

Oh, well. So long as it's optional then we don't have to worry because exactly ZERO people are going to use this. Ever.

 

-Razorpony

 

:wallbash:

[KaiHohiro]

This sounds familiar ;D

Total Deja vu

 

Considering Cakester was banned and this is a brand new account, doesn't take much to add 1 and 1 together.

Edited March 19, 2011 by Kai Hohiro

[BreadedChickenKnife]

This sounds familiar ;D

Total Deja vu

 

Considering Cakester was banned and this is a brand new account, doesn't take much to add 1 and 1 together.

 

Such an impulse as to tell us 1 plus 1, eh? Kai, I seem to see your name in two similar threads. Other than drawing our attention to your past opposition to this subject, do you have something non-arrogant to add? You are a jewel for the Nexus. No doubt people are susceptible to believing you because of your reputation. It is also tempting for some to just be a slave to others' ideologies. Like your tasteful commie approach to lowering the ambitions of the few to fuel the void of the many. I have seen people banned for less, which I why I am responding as if this is important.

[viking99]

This sounds familiar ;D

Total Deja vu

 

Considering Cakester was banned and this is a brand new account, doesn't take much to add 1 and 1 together.

 

Such an impulse as to tell us 1 plus 1, eh? Kai, I seem to see your name in two similar threads. Other than drawing our attention to your past opposition to this subject, do you have something non-arrogant to add? You are a jewel for the Nexus. No doubt people are susceptible to believing you because of your reputation. It is also tempting for some to just be a slave to others' ideologies. Like your tasteful commie approach to lowering the ambitions of the few to fuel the void of the many. I have seen people banned for less, which I why I am responding as if this is important.

 

Dear breadedchickenknife

 

Why don´t create a mod, upload it and instruct the user how to use your protection system, if you have created one at all? As I see it right now your only taking up forum space to feed your ego. If you are as good as you say you are prove it and show us your work! (with your encryption if you like)

 

BTW are you the same guy who was banned from the fallout forums?

[BreadedChickenKnife]

This sounds familiar ;D

Total Deja vu

 

Considering Cakester was banned and this is a brand new account, doesn't take much to add 1 and 1 together.

 

Such an impulse as to tell us 1 plus 1, eh? Kai, I seem to see your name in two similar threads. Other than drawing our attention to your past opposition to this subject, do you have something non-arrogant to add? You are a jewel for the Nexus. No doubt people are susceptible to believing you because of your reputation. It is also tempting for some to just be a slave to others' ideologies. Like your tasteful commie approach to lowering the ambitions of the few to fuel the void of the many. I have seen people banned for less, which I why I am responding as if this is important.

 

Dear breadedchickenknife

 

Why don´t create a mod, upload it and instruct the user how to use your protection system, if you have created one at all? As I see it right now your only taking up forum space to feed your ego. If you are as good as you say you are prove it and show us your work! (with your encryption if you like)

 

BTW are you the same guy who was banned from the fallout forums?

 

No I am not the same guy. But I have searched for anyone who might of already suggested and/or delivered on protecting our mods. I really really believe my methods will work.

 

edit: I am developing the program(s) . There is a time of day ;_)

Edited March 19, 2011 by BreadedChickenKnife

[viking99]

This sounds familiar ;D

Total Deja vu

 

Considering Cakester was banned and this is a brand new account, doesn't take much to add 1 and 1 together.

 

Such an impulse as to tell us 1 plus 1, eh? Kai, I seem to see your name in two similar threads. Other than drawing our attention to your past opposition to this subject, do you have something non-arrogant to add? You are a jewel for the Nexus. No doubt people are susceptible to believing you because of your reputation. It is also tempting for some to just be a slave to others' ideologies. Like your tasteful commie approach to lowering the ambitions of the few to fuel the void of the many. I have seen people banned for less, which I why I am responding as if this is important.

 

Dear breadedchickenknife

 

Why don´t create a mod, upload it and instruct the user how to use your protection system, if you have created one at all? As I see it right now your only taking up forum space to feed your ego. If you are as good as you say you are prove it and show us your work! (with your encryption if you like)

 

BTW are you the same guy who was banned from the fallout forums?

 

No I am not the same guy. But I have searched for anyone who might of already suggested and/or delivered on protecting our mods. I really really believe my methods will work.

 

edit: I am developing the program(s) . There is a time of day ;_)

 

I doubt you´ll have any demand for it as it goes against all the community stand for. Anyway if you want to develop your encryption it your business. You must have noticed by now you don´t have much support for your ideas. I am beginning to tire of this discussion you could take it up when you have finished your program... I must agree with David we should stop feeding the troll..

Edited March 19, 2011 by viking99

[bben46]

From the terms of service you agreed to when signing up.

 

Do not upload files that are password protected or contain password protected sections.

 

This rules out your proposed mod protection scheme as it uses a password protection scheme. Unless you can get an exemption from Dark0ne for 'experimental purposes'.

 

Locking this now to cut down on the trolling and possible flaming.

 

Bben46, Moderator