Wouldn't it be a good idea to upload those separately to the originals...?

I think it's a good idea. The fact that "preservation" is stressed on MacGarden kind of dictates this distinction. The NoCD should also be hosted off site, but I think that's already happening as far as I've seen.

I'm in exactly the same position. But maybe even more strict. I detest having to insert the original CD, it stays in it's original jewel case in its original box at the back of the bookcase in another room.

Now I don't mind burning a copy of the original disc (or 2 or 3) and keeping it next to my desk on an old 50 CD-R spindle. so when I want to play, say. Episode 1 Pod Racer, a quick scan of the spindle finds the copy of the CD and away I go. Mounted Toast images are even better as already said. But some (nearly all not yet abandonware) do not even let me burn a copy of the disc. Anyone who has bought a recent Electronic Arts Mac game will know what I mean.

Years ago I also detested having to burn copies of the original CD-R, CD-Rs were £2 each and I worked abroad, so if I forgot my copy of Myth II: Soulblighter, I'd have to go buy another copy so I could play that month. So that's what I do with the games I have purchased. At least it's better than the old "key in word x from line y on page z of the manual" (yes you Chris Crawford - you may design and write the best Mac games ever but this was annoying to those that bought the games).Eight Ball Deluxe had it spot on, if I relocated or copied the installed game, it asked me to re-install and key in serial / word from manual.

So what do we do here. Ironically, it should be no worse legally than if we host the orignal game. I suppose we should make doubly sure that the game is abandonware - and not one of those lame definitions spouted by someone collecting warez, ie. released more than 4 years ago.

But, for me, the predominant factor is that the site was not set up to preserve such patches or cracks. I'd love to help everyone who needs them, but it may "cross the line" into warez. I know if we start to encourage it, it will upset a large number of the sites largest software contributors. I already get upset when i see someones uploaded a 40MB or 100MB Toast image when I know the full game CD is over 400MB - OK, sure a 40MB or 100MB image is better then nothing.

Still, if a regular contributor can give sound reason why the site should encourage it, I'll upload any that are asked for.

@Bolkonskij mused:

...Wouldn't it be a good idea to upload those separately to the originals, for those who actually want to play the games?

Or an external link to them. No file over 40MB is hosted for download from here anyway. They are all external links.

I downloaded a single torrent, which had about 250 Mac OS No-CD patches, OS 8/9 and X.

It is substantial (about 250MB). I only have 25K/s up, but I am willing to mail it on CD to anyone who has fast upload, and possibly a premium account on a filesharing site?! It is a big download - but you only need to download it once for virtually every mac game.

@themacmeister, sounds like the one on demonoid. It's still being seeded if anyone wants to pick it up.

@Protocol 7 - I believe that is where I found it - also OS9 Installer/Update/Software CD's #1 and #2, probably from the same place. I got these ~12months ago, and they weren't being seeded very well then... worth checking tho -- may get a few more seeders

Demonoid? Someone mention Demonoid? I'm on the way as well.

Anyway, they don't accept any new registrations at this point, so I won't be able to download it...

I'm a member in good standing there and they have Invitation Codes. They have a very strict policy about that: "To avoid abuse, invitations are limited. Also, if someone you invite gets warned/banned, you might get warned/banned too."

Sounds like the one I downloaded ages ago. Can't remember the exact contents, it got merged in with all the cracks and serials I already had, and then the stuff I would never use was trashed.

I've also got a demonoid account (sometimes it's the only way to get a hold of episodes of Outrageous Fortune here in the UK - NZ residents will know what I'm talking about), so if someone needs an invite ...

I'd Stuffit up all my cracks and zips of abandonware titles and put it on RapidShare if it helps, but I wouldn't want to post a link on this site.

Edit:
Just checked, my folder of game cracks weighs in at 612MB.

I wouldn't mind if it's ONLY for abandonware games, and nothing is included for games which are still available. This is my problem with "serial database" programs -- most have old stuff as well as new stuff.

Not sure what Maedi thinks about this, though.

If someone had a patch for connectix apps i would be very happy. I keep on getting that silly "Reinstall this program" error!

I think that noCD patches for all games are fine as long as you purchased the game or it's abandonware.

"I know this is a very controversial topic"

I don't know that anyone has ever opposed NoCD cracks on this site, at least not for abandonware. They should be uploaded together with any patches or updates for individual games or apps; this has been done before on this site.

The only potential problem is if someone uploads a big file that includes NoCD patches for non-abandonware.

CD-ROM sent to a helpful fellow member - expect a link to 280MB of Macintosh No-CD goodness in two to four weeks! watch this space (bump).

This by no means represents the entire No-CD crack collection for Macintosh, but is a darn good start!

themacmeister: Any chance of uploading a copy of that somewhere? Demonoid has finally let me down -- I've been stalled out at 83% for 3 days now while a peer just sits there like a statue.

It has been sent to another member, who has agreed to post it all. Unfortunately, although I sent it air-mail, it may be a few weeks... I do not have the upload speed to post such a file (although my download speed is awesome now!)

I think putting No-CD cracks on this site would be dangerous...

There are quite a few games on that list that would run on OS8.6/9.x with CarbonLib.

You may need access to an OSX Mac to decompress any Mac zip files.

I would love to see the entire thing posted, but selected valid cracks could be posted and linked from the forum.

Don't post the whole thing; ideally, post the cracks with the games they are used for.

I wanted to post the No-CD cracks separately on the site (well named), and make reference to the fact on the game page. I think posting serials with software is OK, but No-CD patches might be taking it too far.

A quick search for NOCD should give you the files you need.