Re: "proprietary", was Re: ada on linux

[dvdeug@x8b4e53cd.dhcp.okstate.edu (David Starner)]

On Sun, 28 May 2000 05:41:30 GMT, tmoran@bix.com <tmoran@bix.com> wrote:
>  To construct a thought experiment, suppose you write a study guide for
>the SAT.  To let your readers test themselves, you include on a CDROM the
>binary of a GPL'ed SAT simulation program.  As I understand it, you
>haven't fulfilled the requirements.  But if you include the source code,
>or even a pointer to it, some people are going to look at the source code,
>find out the questions and their correct answers, and then "ace" the

Why would questions and answers be stored in the source code?

>simulated test.  Now it may be that someone who does such a thing with a
>practice SAT test is a fool.  Suppose we change the scenario slightly, and
>have the test be one for an on-line college course.  Now the cheater will
>get credit for something he does not in fact know, and perhaps be hired in
>some position where an ignorant person can do significant damage.  In the
>absence of the "source availability" requirement, you could have avoided this.

No, you couldn't have. If you wrote the obvious code, the test will be
extractable by running 'strings' over the binary. Even without that,
you can still disassemble the code / watch the memory of the running
program and get the test. If you give them the answers in any form, 
someone with enough patience will be able to get them, and if it
actually matters someone will do it.

Don't distribute the test. Run it over the net, then you don't have to 
send them the answers before hand.

-- 
David Starner - dstarner98@aasaa.ofe.org
http/ftp: x8b4e53cd.dhcp.okstate.edu
Roleplaying Anonymous - a 1d12 step program