Quote:

 

Here are essentially two ways that modders view the place of their creations in the modding community: The Cathedral view, and the Parlor view.



In the Cathedral view, modding is viewed as being like a joint effort to build a cathedral. Individually, our contributions may be small – and may not be worth doing for themselves. But by each person contributing something, we construct something larger and more worthwhile than any of us could do on our own. Under this view, creations are contributions – and may not be taken back. (Just as in building a Cathedral, it would not be allowed for a person to contribute a stained glass window and then later take it back.)



The Parlor view in contrast, is the view that mods are more like privately owned works of art displayed in the modder's parlor. The modder invites others into the parlor to appreciate and enjoy the work of art – but may at any time close the parlor door and ask their guests to leave. And of course, the modder may be very selective about who they invite into their parlor. Under this view, our creations are never contributions; rather we continue to own and control them – takebacks are normal and accepted.

Cathym

 

... back on topic, sort of. I agree with Ibis that discussing the cathedral vs portal views is worthwhile. My suggestion is that we leave ANY particular person out of the discussion. It's too emotive, and it really is pretty pointless discussing an individual's situation/choices because everything is speculation and becomes too personal.

I tend to agree with the cathedral view - that everything an individual does is (at least in some way or other) built upon the work of others within the modding community. So it is impossible to say that one's work is 100% personal effort. Everybody has learnt from others about how to use the CS. We've all used tools that others have built. And we've all taken inspiration and assistance from other people. Therefore I think it's reasonable to say that once we've developed and published something, it becomes "public domain" and should remain a permanent part of the community resource for others to use.

But on the other hand, I don't think that should create an indefiinite commitment for the originator to host, support and update what they produce. So if someone simply moves on from modding (even if they just lose interest and move on to other things), then they might dismantle their website, meaning hat the mods are no longer available for download. That shouldn't stop another person from hosting them if they wish, but that host should point out that the mods are no longer supported/updated. In general, I think the ideal thing is to pass "ownership" of the mods to someone you know and trust within the community. That way there will always be continuity, but any personal involvement can be cut off.

Ibis

 

I couldn't agree with you more, Cathym. "Public Domain" that was the concept I was looking for. So very many Morrowind mod makers have left the community and let their paid for sites run out; that is one reason I try to download as many mods that interest me as I can. It was a reason that people lamented when Gamersroam went down for the 2nd time recently, because Blith had stored 100's of the old mods from around 2004 many of which are no longer available. I picked through his Downloads and got what I wanted before GR shut down.

So the loss of mods has been happening all along; but if you are lucky enough to have like Smite Plight's Goggles or his Bunny Ears and Tails Mods you are free to use them. Because although his site has closed down, he gave those resources freely as a modder and he doesn't mind people using them still.

I hope that the sharing atmosphere that we've always had in the early days, where the cathedral view prevailed, although probably nobody thought of calling it that back then. It was jus the generous way things were.

aceball69

Mar 24 2009, 03:15 PM

So our town mod would be an example of Cathedral views and an example of Parlor is Slofs horse mod... right?

aceball69

Mar 24 2009, 03:39 PM

right... but back to my example. since Slof claimed all those mods as her own and removed them and took them back, they would be concidered Parlor?

you would think by the title that the mods would have something to do with the architecture or the style, not the way you use them.

aceball69

Mar 24 2009, 03:52 PM

even though they are using their mods for a game that is owned by a huge corperation? so would the mod technically be Bethesdas or AlienSlofs?

lettuceman44

Mar 24 2009, 03:55 PM

aceball69

Mar 24 2009, 03:52 PM

even though they are using their mods for a game that is owned by a huge corperation? so would the mod technically be Bethesdas or AlienSlofs?

It is technically Bethesda's.

New models and textures however are the modders.