Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!servio!dalel
From: dalel@servio.UUCP (Dale LaFountain)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2
Subject: Software "rentals" (was: piracy)
Message-ID: <692@servio.UUCP>
Date: 17 Sep 90 23:31:54 GMT
Lines: 49

Up here in Oregon, there is a chain of stores called the Software Pipeline.
They "rent" software for 2-3 days, and cost from $4-$25 each to preview.
They used to rent Apple software, but dropped that quite a while ago, and
now stick to IBM and Amiga.  (I've never seen so many games for one 
computer in my life!  Over 250 titles for VGA IBM!  I'd like to see 1/10 that
for the GS.  There are quite a few games for the GS; however, very few are
what I would call "good" games).    

My question is:  Isn't this a blatant example of promoting software piracy?
I know that it can be seen as a good way to look at software without 
going through the hassle of buying and returning unliked software, but the
temptation to just copy the program seems very great.  I know someone
who just bought an IBM clone, and doesn't think twice about installing every
game he can on his HD when he rents it, and photocopies the manuals if 
necessary.  The store even sells Copy II PC (they don't rent that one....
I wonder why :).  They do, however, have a sign on the glass near the door.
It is printed on a 4x6 card and reads "Federal law prohibits reproduction
of the electronic media in this store".  A real big deterrent, if you
notice the sign at all (read sarcasm). 

I guess it all boils down to trust.  Any form of copy protection devised
can be broken by a handful of hackers throughout the world, so copy 
protection isn't the answer.   Manuals can be photocopied, and photocopy-
proof manuals can be typed into a word processor, so manual protection
isn't really the answer either (although it is much more flexible for
hard drive owners).  

People say that games cost too much, and the producers of games say that
pirating drives the costs up (both of which are very true).  Software 
companies need to lower their costs, and all of US need to be honest and
show our support by buying that low-priced software.  Then everyone would
be happy.  We would have more good games, because increased sales and revenue
would promote further development in this area. 

I'm not saying that this hasn't been happening; I'm just saying that it
needs to happen MORE.  There will always be some hackers in the world 
who will crack games only hours after they are released.  But the trust
needs to start somewhere.

But I digress...
I know I'm speaking to the wrong crowd here, but I just had to raise my
fist.  We all have to grow up sometime, and that time was long ago.

Sorry to have rambled for so long. 

Dale LaFountain
Please Reply to:  
   prophet@oxy.edu
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