Lending Library

smilodon · September 10, 2004, 01:04:57 AM

As a group it's quite probable that we own a fair number of PC games. In fact we could own hundreds of the things collectively. It's also a fair bet that many (most) of them are uninstalled from our PC's and gathering dust on a shelf somewhere.

It might be a worthwhile endeavour to share these games with members of the Bravo & Charlie teams by way of a virtual lending library. Nothing firm has been put in place and I'm not even sure it's a workable idea but I'm putting it out for 'consultation' .

I'd suggest something along the lines of the following

1. Games remain the property of the original owner and are LENT not given.
2. 'Rentals' would be for two months after which they would go back into the pot for lending.
3. At the end of any rental period the owner can ask for their game back.
4. Postage is the responsibility of the sender. It means no money has to change hands and if we lend and borrow enough it all evens out. You pay postage for what you lend and get what you borrow free.
5. You can't borrow if you don't have something avaliable to lend.
6. All copies must be legit (no trading cracked games).
7. We open threads in a forum for each title to kept track of it's movements. Alternatively a 'Librarian' could set up a separate web site?

I'm not sure if there's a real interest and it could all get nasty if someone looses or breaks a disk they have borrowed. So if you like the idea and you want to take advantage of the plan or if you have ideas as to how it could be done better post here. Likewise if you think it's a rubbish plan say so, but let us know why.

Should there be a real interest from a significant number of members then I'd be willing to set it up... unless someone else has a real desire to be Clan Librarian?

Thoughts?

target · September 10, 2004, 08:42:28 AM

Sounds good.

A try before you buy type thing (in some cases

)

MAD_ness · September 10, 2004, 01:01:02 PM

Not a bad idea Smilo

possible interest from the Mad household,

Benny · September 10, 2004, 01:11:21 PM

We have kinda done this with a few books, but I think this would make a good extension to the services....the only downside is not borrowing stuff off me, am awful at getting round to posting things.

Could you, in theory, take an image of your original CD, share that (save me posting it) ensure that only one person has it installed at a time (obvious trust here). I'm quite happy running a DC hub if anyone wants it...

JonnyAppleSeed · September 10, 2004, 04:59:11 PM

Quoteam awful at getting round to posting things.

me 2 ......

smite · September 10, 2004, 05:00:10 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by JonnyAppleSeed@Sep 10 2004, 04:59 PM

Quoteam awful at getting round to posting things.
me 2 ...... [/b]

NSS

DuVeL · September 10, 2004, 05:54:01 PM

Sounds like a good idea. I've got a few games laying around getting dust on it.

A Twig · September 10, 2004, 06:08:14 PM

Aye, would be good. Would we be allowed to copy the CDs tho to save our originals getting broken/damaged, and post those around instead?

Anonymous · September 10, 2004, 06:16:18 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by A Twig@Sep 10 2004, 06:08 PM
Aye, would be good. Would we be allowed to copy the CDs tho to save our originals getting broken/damaged, and post those around instead?

I would suggest that this would not be a good idea. You have no way of controlling the fact that the software is on 1 PC at a time and I guess most Judges would view it as straightforward piracy.

If we want to run with this and make it work then it has to be seen as squeeky clean. I recommend, as initially suggested, that we loan out original media only.

smilodon · September 10, 2004, 06:44:29 PM

Yep it's a toughy. The law surrounding this is a nightmare to be honest. While it's legal to make back-up copies of your media it's not legal to break any copy protection to do so. Likewise you can't copy a game and distribute the copy only the original game.

I recon that we're going to have to stick to original copies. If your rip your game before you send the original out in case it gets ruined, then that's up to you...we don't want to know.

So originals only I'd say

A Twig · September 11, 2004, 12:15:29 PM

Ok, fair enoughty! Jus a thought that's all

Phog · September 11, 2004, 05:51:54 PM

Yeah, i'd say that was a really good idea.
Would the borrower then uninstall the game once he has sent it back unless no cd is needed for the game?

Dr Sadako · September 11, 2004, 06:04:33 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by Phog@Sep 11 2004, 05:51 PM
Yeah, i'd say that was a really good idea.
Would the borrower then uninstall the game once he has sent it back unless no cd is needed for the game?

No I wouldnt think so unless the key is used for online play. Even so it would be impossible to check. It will be based on trust.

Anonymous · September 11, 2004, 06:38:00 PM

If this is going to happen under the auspices of dMw it will have to be completely above board. Therefore:

1. Only one person should have the game installed at a time unless the software license says otherwise (unusual if it does).
2. They shouldn't copy the CDs (sometimes the original owner is allowed to make backups but not always).
3. They should uninstall the game before passing the CDs to another person.

Hopefully that makes it a bit clearer for everyone?