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I have a question about my Open Source Stack Exchange post: License for almost-open-source code

This question of mine was closed, with the reason, "... does not appear to relate to open source ...".

Today is my first time here and I am not yet used to the intricacies, but what I don't understand is: I never claimed that my code would be open-source (it's not, according to definition). I was fully aware of that before I posted the question. But, it isn't completely unrelated either; it is indeed something very close. And, that is why I posted it here.

If the question doesn't fit here, it could have been migrated to a different site. I even asked for re-word suggestions (I edited it myself the best I could to take out the objected to points), but nobody seemed to have any improvement pointers; only "It doesn't belong here".

Please suggest how I could improve my question to make it on-topic. I would request that this question be opened so that I could get answers.

I do have to say here that within minutes after my post, it was downvoted and bombarded with comments as if I had mischievously posted something inappropriate, when that 'New contributor' tag says, "Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering."! I would have gladly responded to clarifications or modification requests if I had had the chance.

Please, I am not trying to bad-mouth anyone; the Moderators do know better than I and I respect that. But, I would appreciate coming to a friendly and welcoming environment, and not where I would have to tip-toe around.

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    If you want to discuss this further, I know you can't comment at the moment, but you can use this chatroom to do so.
    – ArtOfCode Mod
    Jun 1, 2020 at 19:45
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    Consider asking guidance from your lawyer. Of course, you'll need to pay him/her.
    – Basile Starynkevitch
    Jun 2, 2020 at 8:52

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I never claimed that my code would be open-source...

That's the crux of it. This site doesn't deal in anything that's not free/open-source, and we can't do recommendations for non-free/non-open licenses (or custom licenses). That's why your question was closed; ultimately, unless you want to change it completely to ask for an open-source license instead, it will remain closed because it's fundamentally off-topic here.

Stack Exchange sites all have a help center: here's ours. It's helpful to read some of the stuff in there before you post on a new site, because each site is different and has different nuances in what's on-topic there. Every help center has an article called "What topics can I ask about here?" (always at /help/on-topic), which tells you exactly what's okay to ask or not on any given site.

I don't know of any other Stack Exchange sites that your question would be on-topic for, off the top of my head, so I can't migrate your question elsewhere. If you come across a site you think it might be a good fit for, make sure to check that /help/on-topic article I mentioned to make sure before you post it.

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    Thank you for the clarification. And, thank you for the way you said it. :-)
    – a_das
    Jun 1, 2020 at 20:06
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    After some more research, I have modified my question. Please review it.
    – a_das
    Jun 2, 2020 at 1:13
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    @a_das with respect, you have changed your question to read "I want a licence that is just like an open-source licence except you can't modify or re-use my code". You're still asking for a non-free licence, because it doesn't respect the four freedoms / meet the OSI definition, and therefore your question is still off-topic. That's what ArtOfCode meant about changing it completely - as long as you want what you say you want, your question is off-topic here, no matter what language you couch it in. If you decide you want something else, we may be able to help.
    – MadHatter Mod
    Jun 2, 2020 at 6:55
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    @a_das Have a read of this question for a more detailed explanation of why you can't modify an open-source license like this without making it non-free/non-open.
    – ArtOfCode Mod
    Jun 2, 2020 at 10:45
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    I have modified my question one last time and then I am done. In all fairness, now that I think about it, these should have been my choice of words the first time around. Although, even if it gets re-opened, I don't think it would be the same: with the comments and downvotes, anchoring would set in, anyway! :-)
    – a_das
    Jun 2, 2020 at 21:08
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    @a_das You misunderstand, I think. Let me try to clarify: unless you drop the "additional requirements" you want to add, your question will always be off-topic here, because those additional requirements make what you want non-free - which we don't deal with.
    – ArtOfCode Mod
    Jun 2, 2020 at 21:28

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