Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!ncar!gatech!purdue!haven!umbc3!gmuvax2!peraino
From: peraino@gmuvax2.gmu.edu (Bob Peraino)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.handhelds
Subject: Copying ROM cards
Message-ID: <3341@gmuvax2.gmu.edu>
Date: 1 Feb 91 18:00:28 GMT
Organization: George Mason Univ., Fairfax, Va.
Lines: 61


>From: sburke@jarthur.Claremont.EDU (Scott Burke)
 
>    Name an application that requires 288K to run...  I can name an application
>    that should use a PC or palmtop!!  ;-)

     Just because YOU can't think of an application doesn't mean none
exists. How about ANY DATABASE APPLICATION? For example, say, inventory
control? You go lug your PC and batteries down the aisles; I'll take the
48, and upload to a PC when I'm done.


>  In the same vein, what if your application requires THREE 128K cards?

     Then obviously, you need another device for your application. What is
this statement supposed to mean? That the idea of needing 2 128K cards
is ridiculous because you couldn't think of a use?   

 
>>     I started by saying that I was playing devil's advocate. That's because
>> I would not pirate software. On the other hand, I truly believe that
>> I have the right to protect my investment from something as trivial as
>> static discharge. I DO NOT buy software that I cannot personally back up.
> 
>You have that right.  My point is it is _not_ necessary to back up a reliable,
>solidly tested ROM card,

     Then I guess it's a moot point. I have that right. Period. I appreciate
the fact that you talked to HP about static discharge (which I brought up
only as an example). Now go call God, and make sure MY card won't ever get
zapped by static, stolen, accidentily stepped on, lost, etc., and I won't
bother to back it up. The issue isn't the software; it's the media. If I am
licensed to use the software, I have the right to make sure it's always
available to me.

> and that no one has yet demonstrated a supportable
>reason for needing more than 1 slot (assuming a merged 128K RAM card).  I am
>a developer, and _I_ don't need 2 slots.  I am certainly _not_ going to write
>programs that _do_ need that!

     Gee, so since you don't, I guess no one else ever will, either. I'm
glad you told me that, otherwise I would have thought it's possible.
 
>(I don't think this necessary, but it is not my intention to demean or insult
>any of the other participants in this discussion;

     Contrary to what you may think about my above prose, this is not my
intention, either. I realize I used some rather pointed replies to get
across my ideas. I think you, as a developer, have a biased opinion
based on your legitimate concern. You cannot say the same about me, since
I'm neither a developer or a pirate.
     My point is this: you cannot say that posting of the code is
irresponsible, just because the potential for abuse exists. (That would be
like saying the selling of guns is irresponsible simply because of the
potential for abuse.) As a developer, you are using the "irresponsibility"
angle as a method of defense, and that isn't fair to the poster. And that's
the REAL reason I decided to play devil's advocate!
 
>sburke@jarthur.claremont.edu

peraino@gmuvax.gmu.edu