Message-Id: <3.0.1.16.19980804094544.1fa7f588@shadow.net>
Date: Tue, 04 Aug 1998 09:45:44
To: dj AT delorie DOT com
From: Ralph Proctor <ralphgpr AT shadow DOT net>
Subject: Disassembly
Cc: djgpp AT delorie DOT com
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Dear DJ:

I have been following the fierce discussion on the subject of using or not
using the Allegro modules in learning game programming, and it is sorting
itself out well.

However, the way disassembly has been talked about horrifies and scares me.
The impression is being given that disassembly is not a good, useful, moral
experiment and is to be discouraged. Surely you don't believe this.
Disassembly for the amateur in the privacy of his home hurts no one, and as
I see it, should be ENCOURAGED. All the copyright laws and so on should be
honored, of course.

You know, it's sort of funny, the assembler/disassembler I used on the
Apple II was named "Merlin".
Beagle Brothers (anybody remember that company?) used it and recommended it
and nobody that I ever heard of anybody said disassembly was wrong for
amateur experimental purposes.

Would you mind stating the law as IN REALITY it applies and how (if it is
all right) an amateur can disassemble at home and still be doing the RIGHT
THING.

The reason I am not disassembling now is I don't know how with my present
equipment.

Now none of the above means I do not respect your stand--I certainly do. I
just cannot so far believe that you mean that amateur disassembly is to be
discouraged.

Respectfully yours,

Ralph