Assume you purchase a software application from Company A. Company A wrote this application using Microsoft .NET as the platform. You download Lutz Roeder's decompiler (which turns the MSIL code into C#). You point the decompiler at the assemblies and executables that are part of Company A's application and examine the C# source code. Is it ethical to merely examine the resulting source code, why / why not? Furthermore, is this legal, why / why not? Could a clause in the EULA cover decompilation adequately?
An argument could be made that a professional software company releasing a software product to a third party, should have obfuscated the MSIL code if they were interested in keeping the code closed. There are many products on the market that obfuscate the MSIL code making the decompiled code not easily human readable. If the source code was protected by a trade secret, wouldn't distributing the MSIL code (which easily is translated into source code) mean it was no longer a trade secret, by definition?
Pretend that Company A doesn't build very solid software. Being able to examine the source code (via decompiling it) would make it much easier for the IT organizations supporting Company A's application. Assume for a second that the source code was examined and security problems were found. Knowing about the security holes would make it much easier to set up the application in a way that maximizes security, auditing, and compliance. Think about a third party finance or accounting related application that needs to comply with 404 of the SOX Act.
I forgot to mention in my last posting, that we saw what we thought were four logs. Upon closer inspection it was two bucks and two does crossing the river. One of the bucks was at least 8 point. Only their heads were out of the water and they moved across the Maumee with impressive speed. I had never seen this before. We tried taking a picture of them with a camera phone but by then the deer were too far away.
Yesterday, November 7th, we removed the waterski course. It was windy and we enjoyed small white caps as we toiled on the ski course. The water temperature was in the low 50s. Of course, we couldn't go out with a boat and not ski. Jason, Kate, and I had a blast skiing down by turkey foot where the Maumee was glass smooth. Note to self, when skiing on cold water my ski feels faster and more responsive. A special thanks goes out to Terry who loaned me his long wetsuit and also helped out with the ski course removal.
Anna Lou, Mary Lou, and I went to Northern Europe during July 2004. We visited the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. The trip entailed a guided tour (with Trafager) which setup a good framework for future self-guided excursions. I always like my 1st trip to a given foreign area to be led by a native guide. That way, I don't walk by some must see attraction like an uncultured poopsie-doo. Also, most native guides offer great advice on things to see and do that are off the well beaten tourist path. We scratched the surface of Northern Europe this trip and I hope you enjoy the linked photos.