Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!gatech!ncar!tank!eecae!cps3xx!usenet
From: usenet@cps3xx.UUCP (Usenet file owner)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Re: Piracy
Message-ID: <4030@cps3xx.UUCP>
Date: 4 Aug 89 08:12:09 GMT
References: <bunches> <119399@sun.Eng.Sun.COM>
Reply-To: porkka@frith.UUCP (Joe Porkka)
Organization: Michigan State University
Lines: 51

In article <119399@sun.Eng.Sun.COM> cmcmanis@sun.UUCP (Chuck McManis) writes:
Ummm.. i con't hardly believe that i am acutally 
posting something about this never-ending debate.
>Consider the following two phrases :
>
>"I killed that person, but I am not guilty of any crime. After all,
> he was going to die someday anyway."
>
>"I stole a copy of this program, but I am not guilty of any crime. After
> all, I never would have purchased it anyway."
>
>The justification for both crimes is unrefutably true. What does that
>tell you? It tells you that you aren't debating truth or untruth, you 
>are debating morals. From my personal perspective, anyone who believes

True everybody is debateing what essentially is
a question of morality.

Some people think it is ok to copy software, some don't.

Most software companies think that copying is bad, therefore
the try copyprotecting their software -- mostly
game software.

Copy protection does:
	1: Angers legitimate users.
	2: Challenges people (hackers) to break the protection, and
	   always (well, usually) eventually succeed
	3: Take time/money for the software company to develope
	4: therefore less effort goes into the product inself
	5: makes the producer feel more secure
	6: Produce lots of noise on this network

Because of 1 and 2, I would think that more software companies
would try something different.

Suggestion number one:
	Perhaps selling software for a reasonable price.
	I do not pirate. I have bought *very* few piece of software. I have
	purchased thing I use, mainly compilers.
	I would like to buy more games + "productivity" software but
	the cost is very prohibitive.
Suggestion number two:
	Provide some sort of useability/playability/bugfree/satisfaction
	guarantee.
	How many other products do you see warnings printed on 
	informing the consumer that the manufacturer can in no
	way be held responsible for the functionality of the
	product?

REAL NAME: Joe Porkka   jap@frith.cl.msu.edu