I think uploads should include a serial in the archive, clearly labelled Serial_Number.txt or similar.

I try to keep serial numbers with my archives as much as possible, but when backing up, they sometimes get lost (or onto a different CD).

The problem should only arise again when the question of Abandonware validity is raised... it is then easy enough to temporarily disable the download until a concensus can be made.

I think posting a serial number as the 70th comment down, simply sucks. Even as a separate download it still works (when downloading works)

@MadMac:

...what about publishing "only" the ones for certified abbandonware?

At this point in time... maybe not. I think that this would still be open to abuse (no matter how innocent). Not to mention, yet another task for the admins to "admin".

I'm firmly in the themacmeister camp on this direction. Instructions, walk-through's & serials if needed, should be included in the upload.

Maybe some time in the not too distant future, but perhaps not just yet...

I think publishing serials of companies that do not even exist any more shouldn't be a problem as there do not exist copyright holders anymore. As with the rest it's like with all abandonware: it's not legal but (most of the time) condoned. MacGarden has not only a claim of cultural preservation - and that this claim is urgent shows the vanishing of content of macmeister's CDs! - but also a claim of environmental protection: By making old apps available we make it possible for people to use old hardware as long as possible instead of littering the earth with ever more new poisoneous electronic trash. From the standpoint of copyright laws software companies might be right. From the standpoint of environmental, health care, and public cultural laws (as far as they exists), however, software companies are not only not right but also irresponsible and criminal in a way that they destroy the earth by constantly producing new (and often useless) stuff and formats just to force people to buy new hardware against their will and needs.

xy:

I think publishing serials of companies that do not even exist any more shouldn't be a problem as there does not exist a copyright holder anymore.

If those companies software that doesn't exist (commercially) any more, were not bought up by another company and that new company has also abandoned that particular software, then perhaps you have something there... but do take a look at EA games and think about where it can go from there.

As with the rest it's like with all abandonware: it's not legal but (most of the time) condoned.

Until the present owner of that software's copyright deems that there is still some interest in it and therefore a buck to be made...

MacGarden has not only a claim of cultural preservation - and that this claim is urgent shows the vanishing of content of macmeister's CDs! - but also a claim of environmental protection: By making old apps available we make it possible for people to use old hardware as long as possible instead of littering the earth with ever more new electronic trash. From the standpoint of copyright law companies might be right; however, from the standpoint of environmental and public cultural laws (as far as they exists) software companies are not only not right but also irresponsible and criminal in a way that they destroy the earth!

I have no dispute with this, other than that the MacGarden has no claim over any of this. Its good that it (the MacGarden) is here and that it exists at this point in time.

Ditto themacmeister...this is really very simple. Include a serial with the abandonware it works with. Contributors can keep their own serial lists if need be and contribute helpful serials when the need arises.

I was wondering about this myself, as I wanted to upload Buck's Serial Number Generator 2/3, which was a pretty impressive classic app that was the first exposure to keygens I ever had.

The programs listed by BSNG, considering it's age (pre-2002 I'd imagine), should almost all be abandoned by now, right? If not, maybe I can upload it years from now...

Maybe I can separate the app from the database or something, unless it really isn't that rare (I can't find a copy nowadays on the Internet at least)

Distributing a serial code or unlock key with a piece of software isn't any more illegal than distributing the software, at this point in legal history. Without working serials/keys, at least some of the software is useless, which runs counter to the Garden's mission of 'preservation'. Archive the original media as well as possible and .sit/.zip it together with any relevant serials/keys/codes/notes/etc.

Perhaps just semantics but if we called it "Registration Information" rather than "serials", and had a buttonfor it like "Manual" or an area for it, like System Requirements, some of us would warm to it considerably more. At least then we could mark items as "No registration required", or "Internet registration required".
Just another idea, think about your own suggestion before endorsing or flaming this.

Abandoneware + (Serial Numbers & cracks)=Shouldn´t be a problem

therefore, I second motion XY

How many times do I have to answer this???

SNs are OK only if included with software that need them that otherwise would be allowed. Serial DBs are NOT allowed.

@MadMac:

The only reason I find this annoying is because people keep making new threads to ask the same question.

As for that, feel free to make a thread listing such software. Make sure they aren't still sold though.

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