http://qs321.pair.com?node_id=592386

Anonymous Monk has asked for the wisdom of the Perl Monks concerning the following question:

Hi Monks,

Currently, I am golfing at the Fonality Golf Challenge http://www.fonality.com/golf. I have an ethics question.

I have found, in the post mortem of a past golf challenge, a solution to that hole that could help me in this current golf. Is it acceptable to use part of that solution?

In general, I would say that since this information is freely available on the web, all players have access to it and it is fair game. In fact, it takes some modification of the original to even fit it into my current solution.

On the other hand, it was very creative and based on the author’s notes took quite some time and effort to create. So, part of me feels a little guilty for using it, especially in this case where there is a potential for financial gain (note: I have no chance of beating the original author in this golf either).

I have not been golfing for very long. So, I ask, what does the Perl and Perl Golfing community think about using portions of previous solutions?

PS: I did a bad thing and posted this anonymously. Not because I wanted to avoid any XP flack, but simply because I am a little embarrassed about asking such a question.