26 replies to this topic

[bladefan2]

Hi folks

just been thinking (myself and HitTheSix) -

as I am so excited about releasing my first DX - Barcrest Jolly Jewels - possibly even in the next half hour, I thought to myself about putting the 'warning do not buy from ebay - download for free from fruit-emu site' sticker on my emulated machine and making the layout locked.

This could invariably stop the 'scum sellers' on ebay selling our new, up and coming work, as it would be difficult for them to remove this sticker from a locked layout. Obviously the layouts that are already being sold on ebay we can't do anything about, but I was specifically thinking about protecting the new layouts. And, what with the excellent 'MfmeGuide1.0(Ross)' video being produced, and new threads on how to create new DX's being put on the forum, it may be the case that everyone will want to have a go at producing DX layouts over the next day/week/month.


A suggestion I thought about would be to put this particular 'ebay' graphic (or bitmap) on fruit-emu and associate a hyperlink to it that will allow this graphic to be downloaded and used on our layouts. The layouts can then be locked and released to Fruit-emu in the normal way.
Does anybody have this graphic and would be willing to share it amongst the fruit-emu community?


What do people think ? Do you think it could work ?


I'm willing to try it for my release.

[Dr DX]

Just embed it into your background no need to lock your layout

[Toddyuk]

Locked layouts is a sore point around here ... maybe just the ebay warning would be surfice

[bladefan2]

fair enough - i don't hear much call for the locked layout

what about the graphic then - can we get that uploaded to a central store where all layout designers can download it to put on their machine?

[VampUK]

The only ebay warning graphic I know of is mine, which is here.
http://www.fruit-emu...st-ebayers.html

[buffycrp]

maybe soming like this i just rushed together just placed in the bottom or top corner of a layout you make maybe.
or is it too strong?

[VampUK]

I hate to point this out but it should read bought not brought.
Not having a dig, just thought I'd point it out.

[bladefan2]

yes -

it's certainly 'throught' with danger !

[mocochoco]

These warnings can be edited out within seconds..... honestly, there is no point.

This has been discussed before.

Even if we were to lock our layouts (which i really dont think is a good idea and has caused problems in the past) they can be unlocked anyway. I've had locked classic layouts made by people who are long gone unlocked for me for the use of DX'ing.


Also, as has been said on alot of these threads before, is it really that big a deal people selling these layouts on ebay?

I mean if i was new to FME, and someone was offering a dvd just about EVERY layout done on it, for a few quid, i'd be more than willing to pay that rather than downloading hundreds of layouts.

when these threads come up people are always feeling sorry for the people getting it because they can get them here for free... but they are obviously more than happy to pay the few quid to get them all at once, else they wouldnt do it. Some may even know about this place, but see us talking about it and think "ahh , thats a good idea, il grab a dvd off ebay to save me downloading them all".

I gave up trying to f*** over these ebay sellers a long time ago, because it simply doesn't work lol....

i dont want to sound like i'm sticking up for them... just trying to bring you back to reality for a second.

[VampUK]

I guess the only way for them not to profit off your work is for you to stop doing layouts. Or maybe to just release to your friends.

[buffycrp]

Give it a try tell me what exactly you need to do to edit out these pics and how someone who doesnt know a thing about layouts does it if its that simple then ok dont bother but will it really hurt to place them in. thats all. (im proberly digging a grave for myself here)

[mocochoco]

Give it a try tell me what exactly you need to do to edit out these pics and how someone who doesnt know a thing about layouts does it if its that simple then ok dont bother but will it really hurt to place them in. thats all. (im proberly digging a grave for myself here)

It's as simple as going into design mode, changing the window size so the side art is not visable, then saving the layout...... job done.

To people a tiny bit more in the know, it's very simple to take the backdrop, edit out the 'warning' in photoshop, then load the backdrop back in.





I think some people need to step back and think why they actually design layouts if this bothers them.

I mean myself, i design layouts because a) I enjoy it and because i know it brings some sense of joy to people.

Not to get popular, score brownie points or make money. As far as i'm concerned... once my layouts are released into the public domain, people can do with them as they wish.


As i said, the people who are buying these disc's are obviously happy enough.......

i know people like Ady, Trouty and a few others are more than happy to send DVD's including all layouts out to people for only the cost of postage. What if they were to charge an extra £1 or whatever because many people were requesting it........ just due to the cost of the time it takes for them to do it?

Would you want to put warnings on then?


I hope people don't misunderstand the point that i'm trying to make here.

[VampUK]

I'm quite sure no one who's posted here is looking to score brownie points/ get popular by making layouts. I mean come on few people even say thanks anyway.
Personally I've enjoyed making the few layouts that I've done. I started doing them because I did'nt want to be just another leecher. I can use photoshop and thought I'd contribute.
I'll always add my ebay message, I put in the time and effort to do the DX so I want people to know its available free.

[mocochoco]

I'll always add my ebay message, I put in the time and effort to do the DX so I want people to know its available free.

But you're missing the point, im sure alot of poeple do know it's free, I've even heard about ebay seller's who include a link to Fruit-Emu on the dvd.

You have to think of it as i said.... these people are obviously happy to pay for the dvd, i mean most of them are what? £3 or so..... Do you think these people are really losing out? they are saving hours of time not having to download all these layouts.


the way i see it, it's doing us a favour, enough leeching goes on around here, at least it saves them leeching all the layouts from here without ever a thanks from them....

I'm sorry, i just cannot buy this "I feel sorry for people having to pay for it when they can download here for free" story.

[bladefan2]

yeah, absolutely VampUK

I do agree with you there -

I've had great times playing the emulations and given my thanks, and thought I would like to do something too for the community and spend a long time producing my first DX layout, identifying the lamps, testing it, etc, etc.

But it does make you a little bit angry that some person(s) can just copy your hard work, say it's theirs (which makes you angry) and make a very small profit from it when it wasn't theirs to make a profit from. We all do it for free - I liked doing my first layout - it took me a long time, and long nights, but I really enjoyed doing it and want to do some more. I don't do it for the money either - just the fact like VampUK said, it makes other people happy and gives them joy to see their favourite fruit machines emulated.

And Mocochoco - I think we all have to agree to disagree - there is nothing that can be done - this has gone on for too long and I understand this is a problem that can probably never be solved in my lifetime. But all us members on this site (and other fruit emu sites) can feel proud of what we're achieving - I can even say I have contributed and not count myself as a leecher now (not that I did before LOL!)

It wouldn't hurt just to continue putting the 'ebay' advert on our machines - at least, if we see it being sold on ebay, either the persons selling it would've removed the graphic, or left it on (which is probably doubtful). It will bring some other people some joy too (even if they have had to pay a small fee for it).

Oh well !!

[VampUK]

At the end of the day if you produce a DX then ultimately you have to decide what to do. Wanna lock it? Then do it. Wanna add warning labels? Do that too.
Its like anything else really, everyone has their opinion. We'll never all agree.

[mocochoco]

That's true. I for one never have and never will be locking my layout's or putting warning on any any of them.

I'm just curious as to what benefit you guy's think will come from putting warnings on?

just the fact like VampUK said, it makes other people happy and gives them joy to see their favourite fruit machines emulated

Was me that said that not Vamp lol, this is my point, I'm glad it brings joy to people... however it get's there.

[VampUK]

I'm just curious as to what benefit you guy's think will come from putting warnings on?

I'll be honest, I don't like people making ANY kind of profit (no matter how small) off something that I've done. Thats my only reason.

[mocochoco]

maybe soming like this i just rushed together just placed in the bottom or top corner of a layout you make maybe.
or is it too strong?

I mean who want's that plastered on thier layout?

if these layout's were getting sold on seperatly, or only a few on each buy, then yes.... i would understand a bit more, and that would be a waste of money.

But as i have said...... spending a few quid to get a dvd with almost every layout... with instructionals etc, isnt that bad.

I know that i for one, i i had lost all my layouts i had on my HDD, would be MORE than happy to pay a few quid to get a dvd with them all on rather than downloading each one again

[mocochoco]

I'll be honest, I don't like people making ANY kind of profit (no matter how small) off something that I've done. Thats my only reason.

Exactly! This is what i've been wanting you to say. That is the only reason it bother's you, nothing to do with other people buying them, as they obviously are happy to do it.

If someone is so down in life that they have to resort to selling these things to get a bit of extra money then i'm sure they feel like enough of a twat as it is lol.

Why let it bother you?