enforce a users usage understanding by adding a startup configuration parameter that must be set;

configs/config.example.yml

@@ -5,6 +5,19 @@
 # Flag indicating whether the host will run as a background or foreground task.
 daemon: true
 
+#
+# This flag should be set to 'true', it simply means that you acknowledge the license and restrictions of use for this
+# software, at no time should THIS SOFTWARE EVER BE USED IN PUBLIC SAFETY OR LIFE SAFETY CRITICAL APPLICATIONS. This 
+# software project is provided solely for personal, non-commercial, hobbyist use; any commercial, professional, 
+# governmental, or other non-hobbyist use is strictly discouraged, fully unsupported and expressly disclaimed by 
+# the authors.
+#
+# By using this software, you agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the authors, contributors, and affiliated 
+# parties from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, or expenses (including reasonable 
+# attorneys’ fees) arising out of or relating to any unlawful, unauthorized, or improper use of the software.
+#
+iAgreeNotToBeStupid: false
+
 #
 # Logging Configuration
 #

configs/fne-config.example.yml

@@ -5,6 +5,19 @@
 # Flag indicating whether the host will run as a background or foreground task.
 daemon: true
 
+#
+# This flag should be set to 'true', it simply means that you acknowledge the license and restrictions of use for this
+# software, at no time should THIS SOFTWARE EVER BE USED IN PUBLIC SAFETY OR LIFE SAFETY CRITICAL APPLICATIONS. This 
+# software project is provided solely for personal, non-commercial, hobbyist use; any commercial, professional, 
+# governmental, or other non-hobbyist use is strictly discouraged, fully unsupported and expressly disclaimed by 
+# the authors.
+#
+# By using this software, you agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the authors, contributors, and affiliated 
+# parties from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, or expenses (including reasonable 
+# attorneys’ fees) arising out of or relating to any unlawful, unauthorized, or improper use of the software.
+#
+iAgreeNotToBeStupid: false
+
 #
 # Logging Configuration
 #   Logging Levels:

src/fne/HostFNE.cpp

@@ -342,6 +342,13 @@ bool HostFNE::readParams()
     bool sendTalkgroups = systemConf["sendTalkgroups"].as<bool>(true);
     m_peerReplicaSavesACL = systemConf["peerReplicaSaveACL"].as<bool>(false);
 
+    bool iAgreeNotToBeStupid = systemConf["iAgreeNotToBeStupid"].as<bool>(false);
+    if (!iAgreeNotToBeStupid) {
+        LogError(LOG_HOST, HIGHLY_UNNECESSARY_DISCLAIMER_FOR_THE_MENTAL);
+        LogError(LOG_HOST, "You must agree to software license terms, and not to be stupid to use this software.");
+        return false;
+    }
+
     if (m_pingTime == 0U) {
         m_pingTime = 5U;
     }

src/host/Host.Config.cpp

@@ -59,6 +59,13 @@ bool Host::readParams()
     m_duplex = systemConf["duplex"].as<bool>(true);
     bool simplexSameFreq = systemConf["simplexSameFrequency"].as<bool>(false);
 
+    bool iAgreeNotToBeStupid = systemConf["iAgreeNotToBeStupid"].as<bool>(false);
+    if (!iAgreeNotToBeStupid) {
+        LogError(LOG_HOST, HIGHLY_UNNECESSARY_DISCLAIMER_FOR_THE_MENTAL);
+        LogError(LOG_HOST, "You must agree to software license terms, and not to be stupid to use this software.");
+        return false;
+    }
+
     m_timeout = systemConf["timeout"].as<uint32_t>(120U);
     m_rfModeHang = systemConf["rfModeHang"].as<uint32_t>(10U);
     m_rfTalkgroupHang = systemConf["rfTalkgroupHang"].as<uint32_t>(10U);

tools/dvmcfggen/wizard.py

@@ -122,6 +122,13 @@ class ConfigWizard:
         
         console.print()
         
+        # Step 1b: Usage Agreement (REQUIRED - not overridable with answers file)
+        if not self._confirm_usage_agreement():
+            console.print("\n[red]Usage agreement not accepted. Configuration wizard cancelled.[/red]")
+            return None
+        
+        console.print()
+        
         # Step 2: Create base config
         self.config = DVMConfig()
         self.config.config = get_template(self.template_name)
@@ -137,6 +144,34 @@ class ConfigWizard:
         
         return None
     
+    def _confirm_usage_agreement(self) -> bool:
+        """
+        Display and confirm the usage agreement.
+        This prompt CANNOT be overridden by answers file.
+        """
+        console.print("[bold yellow]Usage Agreement[/bold yellow]\n")
+        console.print(
+            "[yellow]⚠ IMPORTANT NOTICE[/yellow]\n"
+            "This software is provided solely for personal, non-commercial, hobbyist use.\n"
+            "Use in public safety or life safety critical applications is STRICTLY PROHIBITED.\n\n"
+            "[red]DO NOT use this software for:[/red]\n"
+            "  • Emergency services (police, fire, EMS)\n"
+            "  • Life safety critical operations\n"
+            "  • Commercial use without explicit permission\n"
+            "  • Any governmental or professional application\n\n"
+            "[yellow]By continuing, you acknowledge:[/yellow]\n"
+            "  • You understand the restrictions on this software\n"
+            "  • You agree to use it only for hobbyist purposes\n"
+            "  • You indemnify the authors against any misuse\n"
+        )
+        
+        # This is INTENTIONALLY not using _get_answer() 
+        # License agreement must be explicitly confirmed each time
+        return Confirm.ask(
+            "Do you agree to these terms and understand the restrictions?",
+            default=False
+        )
+    
     def _choose_template(self) -> Optional[str]:
         """Choose configuration template"""
         console.print("[bold]Step 1: Choose Configuration Template[/bold]\n")
@@ -1098,6 +1133,34 @@ class TrunkingWizard:
         self.answers = answers or {}
         self.iden_table: IdenTable = create_default_iden_table()
     
+    def _confirm_usage_agreement(self) -> bool:
+        """
+        Display and confirm the usage agreement.
+        This prompt CANNOT be overridden by answers file.
+        """
+        console.print("[bold yellow]Usage Agreement[/bold yellow]\n")
+        console.print(
+            "[yellow]⚠ IMPORTANT NOTICE[/yellow]\n"
+            "This software is provided solely for personal, non-commercial, hobbyist use.\n"
+            "Use in public safety or life safety critical applications is STRICTLY PROHIBITED.\n\n"
+            "[red]DO NOT use this software for:[/red]\n"
+            "  • Emergency services (police, fire, EMS)\n"
+            "  • Life safety critical operations\n"
+            "  • Commercial use without explicit permission\n"
+            "  • Any governmental or professional application\n\n"
+            "[yellow]By continuing, you acknowledge:[/yellow]\n"
+            "  • You understand the restrictions on this software\n"
+            "  • You agree to use it only for hobbyist purposes\n"
+            "  • You indemnify the authors against any misuse\n"
+        )
+        
+        # This is INTENTIONALLY not using _get_answer() 
+        # Usage agreement must be explicitly confirmed each time
+        return Confirm.ask(
+            "Do you agree to these terms and understand the restrictions?",
+            default=False
+        )
+    
     def _get_answer(self, key: str, prompt_func, *args, **kwargs) -> Any:
         """
         Get answer from answers file or prompt user
@@ -1135,6 +1198,13 @@ class TrunkingWizard:
         ))
         console.print()
         
+        # Usage Agreement (REQUIRED - not overridable with answers file)
+        if not self._confirm_usage_agreement():
+            console.print("\n[red]Usage agreement not accepted. Configuration wizard cancelled.[/red]")
+            return None
+        
+        console.print()
+        
         # System basics
         console.print("[bold]Step 1: System Configuration[/bold]\n")