I just released my first opensource project ever, expressRez. It's a tool for builders that allows them to package and re-rez large builds that can't be linked together into a single piece.

I know that products like it exist, but why spend $2 when you can write your own? Actually, I didn't think it'd be very difficult and I really didn't need much functionality, at first. Then I realized I need a little more, and a little more, and two days later expressRez came together.

The thing is, I haven't really tested expressRez much. It works for the builds I made it for, and it does what I want. I don't really need any more functionality and don't plan on adding to it unless I find something that is broken.

As a result, I decided to open source it under the GNU GPL. This way I can share it, and give it others, but in a somewhat manageable way. I considered a variety of licenses and settled on GPL because of the strict copyleft. I release it under the GPL, so any derived works also need to released under the GPL.

What does that mean in simple terms?

You'll need to attribute the script somehow and make an option to provide source if you pass the script on to to others.

The easiest way to do that is to just leave the scripts modifiable. There's a copyright message at the top of scripts, and since they are modifiable anyone can click and see. This works regardless of whether you've made any modifications to the script (short of removing the copyright info -- that's just bad).

If you're uncomfortable with that, you can use a notecard that attributes the script to me and provides a link to the github repository for others to get the code themselves. This, however, only works if you are using the scripts without modification. If you pass on the script (regardless of wether this is part of a product or just giving it to a friend), the next person should be able to get the source of what they're receiving. So if you've made modifications, you'll need to offer the modified source on request.

The only thing is, I unfortunately don't have the time to offer support for these scripts. Beyond the instructions, you're on your own. I will offer paid support, but even that is a on a case by case basis.

At the end of the day, I hope I help a few builders out. Merry Christmas.