From: "Ben Davis" <ben AT vjpoole DOT freeserve DOT co DOT uk>
Newsgroups: comp.os.msdos.djgpp
Subject: Re: Some dodgy FILE hackery
Date: Mon, 20 Mar 2000 21:57:38 -0000
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To: djgpp AT delorie DOT com
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Reply-To: djgpp AT delorie DOT com

>Not encrypting files gives users
>the ability to extend the game by adding levels.

Don't worry - you'll be able to add and share levels with no problem; you
can even create separate game files, etc. However, you'll have to wait for
the editor to come out. It is only the main game file which (is already)
encrypted and cannot be modified.

>Actually, it has been fixed.  What are you using?  RC5?  CSC?  DES?
>All have been 0wn3d by distributed.net.

Could you explain please? I'm sorry, I don't understand that paragraph.

>Or you could encrypt the data inside the datafile, i.e. scramble
>the map before saving it and descramble after loading it from
>the datafile.

Then the compression won't be very effective. I've done it now anyway, using
File System Extensions.

>You're missing the whole point of free software: being able to
>adapt it to your needs.  You could even publish your crypto add-on
>so other Allegro users can benefit from it.

>Care to write up a crypto API for Allegro that can be extended with
>user-supplied crypto?  The developers would love it.  And crypto is
>legal to distribute (at least from the United States) as long as
>it's free software.

Maybe one day, but surely you don't expect me to give too much away? I
probably will, however, write a portable equivalent of File System
Extensions for the Allegro packfile functions. Don't expect it soon; I am
very busy.

Ben Davis