Toanis wrote: »

Not nearly as bad, but a couple years ago LibCustomTitles was widespread "bloatware" in PC addons. For those who (usually unknowingly) had the lib installed, "distinguished members of the community" (as determined by the lib author) had a unique custom title.

That was controversial among addon devs. Some devs supported it, some devs hated it, and some hated it enough to neutralize this "easter egg". I was one of those who hated it (I also hated thousands of icons that used to be bundled in Hodor, ugh). However, even though I hated it, I will say this in its defense: it was harmless "fun" and not at all malicious.

Sharlikran wrote: »

LibCustomTitles was never hated or rejected by any authors

*raises hand*

Sharlikran wrote: »

What the authors like myself had asked was the the author remove LibStub from it and make it a regular library.

This was all before you got involved with addons. Back in those days, LCT was being bundled in multiple addons, and there was no such thing as a "regular library" since proper library support hadn't been added to the game yet, and as such, LibStub removal was not relevant. And it was indeed controversial because it did stuff for some mischievous fun that was completely unrelated to the addons that bundled it.

LCT quietly faded out of relevance when ZOS added nameplates (yea, that's how old the LCT controversy was--it predated the nameplate feature), because LCT couldn't alter what was shown in nameplates, and nameplates had supplanted the HUD's target frame as most people's preferred way to see titles.

Foxtrot39 wrote: »

May we get a bit more info about Market tracker and libtext due to them being quite widespread?

The malicious code was primarily targeted against the players on the blacklist, and if you weren't one of the targets, then the effect on you would be limited: you would not be able to see the things that the targeted players have listed for sale, which means if they had posted a nice thing that you wanted to buy, you wouldn't be able to, but that affects them more (in terms of lost sales) than you (in terms of lost buying opportunities).

But, generally speaking, people who weren't targeted were not really affected, aside from this peripheral role.

Sedare38 wrote: »

You need to remove Miat's in all it's incarnations immediately and any other pre-cognizant combat type add-on.

Does that addon violate ToS?

Absolutely... Thank you! For addons that are fairly unofficial and may be developed or shared by unknown, it's mandatory to keep it all as transparent as possible.

I haven been questioning myself since the beginning the reasons developers/artists/people, who have already invested so much effort and their life time into such ineffably magnificent miracles as The Elder Scrolls Online, do not still work alongside the actual, genuine authors. It may be the limited time, local duties, unique environments we all have...
Or, perhaps, it's a safer approach for the initial direction of the original work, where only few people are responsible for the very genuine.

It all sure must correlate with the official statements of the genuine authors who made it possible for the title to exist in the first place, who forge a Universe and believe in it. It must be acknowledged, respected, and preserved.

Yet, I do trust such authors as Zenimax, Valve, Ubisoft, Electronic Arts etc. who develop, invent innovative, believe, design, and even provide options and opportunities as API for other developers, as you, us (since I contribute to Wikis and have a few addons, and thousands of Crowns to share the monetary support as much as I can, too), to participate however possible alongside our jobs and life duties.

Where, I am not sure why should these opportunities become a trouble of such headache and disagreement or conflict even. There's definite gap between the authors who work hard every single day, and contributors, who were provided options if only you want to participate and also believe in purpose.

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If we consider non-optional cases, for example, have you checked out Minecraft server plugins and client shaders?:

1. Plugins 1: https://www.spigotmc.org/resources/
2. Plugins 2: https://builtbybit.com/resources/minecraft/plugins/
3. SEUS shaders: https://www.patreon.com/sonicether (had around 20,000 Eur/m a few years ago)

If not the "permit" from the Notch/Mojang, which selectively but "close" their eyes in hope to support the so Universal and miraculous project as Minecraft, in the scope of programming and its marvelous history since ingenious Zachtronics, it would likely not be possible to participate in...

The title is very/unmeasurably different from The Elder Scrolls Online, of course, where the first is focused on lovely "sandbox" with tools provided for your own vision, and the second - with infinitely outstanding lore, incredible presentation, yet defined Universe of those who see it, the authors, which is not to be altered at roots by someone out there with their modifications as addons. There's the book of history, a single pen of ink, and others - pencils. It's a miracle, as always...

It may be a heavy challenge/dilemma to eventually find the most appropriate and empathetic point of refract with the authors of the such invaluably sublime work of effort and love as addons, who invested so much of their life in the hope and belief to improve whatever possible, of course...

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All in all, developers/artist, please do consider stating options for donations, and do state the license that requires to attribute your and contributors, since your addon/work gets normally searchable and is eventually stored in the history/archives to be found/traced if ever required. Your work must be acknowledged, and it's utterly totally adequate to allow donations, to keep it fair for the original authors (e.g. Zenimax), and those who invested their lifetime into the published work.

Those who actually care about the origin of a genius idea, will always consider and admire it regardless.

And doesn't a universe built of choices; the universe we appeared and live in? So should we choose the most respectful, accountable, and empathetic option possible?

Those, who actually realize how invaluably miraculous effort every work may obscure behind it... Those who respect the effort and time invested by someone in such works, where everyone has their duties, beliefs, and desires...

Or, well, in any work of human time in general, including the ineffably magnificent titles as The Elder Scrolls Online...