wow im not sure really where i stand on this. It seems kind of wrong for comrad to take any buddylist stored on your computer, and make their own chat with them. It seems as though they are steeling users. but then really this is kind of stupid. There are programs like trillian that do this allready. I think xfire is mad more because of how it was done.
Whole thing is stupid. I understand why xfire is upset, but from a gamer's point of view it's disappointing to me. If I were a 2142 player I would like the convenience of the Comrade program. I'm a strong supporter of Xfire, but they have to realize that they aren't going to be a tyrant in control of the gaming Instant-messaging market, and I don't doubt that other companies will move in over time as well. Sorry Xfire, don't agree with you on this one.
Xfire, Gamespy and Playlinc are the three biggies at the moment. I guess some would also kind of consider mIRC, but that's not really an IM program per-say.
There is no doubt in my mind that Xfire is the best one of them in my opinion, however, that really doesn't give them the right to shut others out. If xfire keeps up with all of the great stuff they've done since the release of the program I see no reason to worry about it anyways, they've already done more than well enough for themselves. If you're a company working for gamers to put all of these convenient features together in one program, why shut out one small feature that does much the same thing? Makes you think whether Xfire is still looking out for us gamers, or just watching their own asses. I think it says enough that they'd implement a feature to search people's Xfire accounts, really says a lot about how much the company has grown, and how well they're doing. I guess with a big corporation like Viacom upulling the strings, you have to get into that more corporate mindset though. hmm
Well from a business point of view ( yes im experienced in that area ) I can understand the xfire complaint. Essentially by using xfires friends list - the other company is escaping the hardest part of getting their feet off the ground. Imagine how long it has taken xfire to generate the number of users it now has. Now another company is simply going to ride that work to success. They wont have to spend the amount of money or time that they rightfully should. Its theft! It allows them to catch up with xfire that much faster without the expense of time or money invested. There is a saying in the business world " The best idea is a stolen idea ". I hate that saying but it does work as far as making big money. I think they should have to compensate xfire for this action. But im sure they ran it thru their legal advisors prior to the release and at the very least feel that the profit is worth the risk. I have stolen ideas for business and I have also seen my ideas stolen. Believe me - it hurts to see someone catch up with you in a fraction of the time that it took to originate and implement something original. The cost of money, time and labor is just crazy. The best trick is to simply keep a step ahead of the competition. Keep originating and force them to try to keep pace with their theft. But thats easier said than done. Ok - bottom line here in my opinion - its wrong to steal to the extent that was committed in this case.
While I still agree with you 100% on all points made, from a gamer's point of view the whole situation is disappointing and a real downer, probably more-so to 2142 players as well.
Hmmm. What about X-Fire stealing Yahoo's and AIM's idea? All they did was take an existing idea and then tell you where they were playing. I really do consider this the evolution of business. Now if it is blatantly copied then by all means, but if not, then what's the big deal? (I've never used the other program btw...) Great point WOG.
Yeah - no doubt that chat programs were a broad concept and xfire was born from that. Obviously though it altered to fit a gamer style of chat. Thats acceptable from all angles of business. But the issue at hand in the article is with the other company worming its way thru peoples xfire list and using it to broaden their sphere of influence that much faster. An example would be something like this.
Lets say that somehow I got ahold of the exg login and password for one of the servers. Then I went in and put a greeting message into the cfg that advertised my team and our website. I would be profiting from the exg invested money and time and growing my own team name with no extra effort or expense. OK - thats just wrong and of course I wouldnt do such a thing even if I had the login and pw. But I know that I would have exg all over my ass in a heartbeat once it was discovered.
But - if I was on an exg server and seen a message that I liked and decided to do something similar on my own server - thats a different story. With this situation - I simply borrowed the concept and personalized it with at least some expense to myself and my team.
Thats the difference between a stolen idea and just plain theft. At least in this discussion. I could get deeper into the business ethics issues but I doubt my finger tips would survive the two hours of typing. Ive been at many conference tables as these types of issues were picked at and beat on until a company found a way that they could justify their actions.
Thanks for the input Bob - you gave me a reason to clarify those points.
Mattinator - I know what you mean when you speak from a gamers heart. A warrior doesnt care who built the arena. All that matters is that the arena doesnt crumble.
Well put. I love the discussion of business and patent. Technology is opening a big can of worms, from DRMS to minor code theft, it's all there. Thanks again WOG. Peace
I love discussing business as well Mr. Marley! Ive even been a guest speaker to management teams at various times. I dont do drugs and havent been drunk since my Navy days. But I can get a natural high just discussing business issues. Unfortunately - the stress of dealing with too many people with a lack of business ethics added up over the years and forced me to change careers. I got sick of the entire process of trying to figure out new ways of tricking customers into being seperated from their hard earned cash. I chose to become a real estate agent. Now my job is to protect my clients from being tricked. I like this angle much better. I cant even count how many arguments I was in at conference tables over the years just trying to convince people that you can make money and still hold onto your integrity. But im sure very few people want me to ramble on about that aspect! Great discussion though!
Not at all. To be honest with you I was speaking to a Manager of Sales for Radio and we both got on the discussion on how he hates to tell people that he's a salesman because of the stigma he gets. He is also dealing with a Real Estate Agent who is looking for a house for him in San Francisco and get this. The agent didn't even ask him what his budget was he just started finding him a home in the $800,000+ range. I told him to kick that agent to the curb and find a new one. One that is looking out for his interest and not the interest gained from commission. We should chat sometime WOG. Cheers and Regards
