Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!sdd.hp.com!think.com!hsdndev!husc6!hscfsas1.harvard.edu!kenh From: kenh@hscfsas1.harvard.edu (Ken Hancock) Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.games Subject: Re: SimEarth copy protection Message-ID: <5539@husc6.harvard.edu> Date: 31 Jan 91 14:43:15 GMT References: <1991Jan28.043033.11475@en.ecn.purdue.edu> <4f802472.20b6d@apollo.HP.COM> Sender: news@husc6.harvard.edu Organization: Isle Systems - Waltham, MA Lines: 52 In article evett@drinkme.umd.edu (Matt Evett) writes: >In article <4f802472.20b6d@apollo.HP.COM> carlton@apollo.HP.COM (Carlton B. Hommel) writes: > > Path: mimsy!haven!boingo.med.jhu.edu!aplcen!samsung!sdd.hp.com!apollo!carlton > From: carlton@apollo.HP.COM (Carlton B. Hommel) > Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.games > Date: 29 Jan 91 20:13:00 GMT > References: <18659@natinst.natinst.com> <1991Jan28.043033.11475@en.ecn.purdue.edu> > Sender: root@apollo.HP.COM > Reply-To: carlton@apollo.hp.com (Carlton B. Hommel) > Organization: Apollo Computer, Chelmsford, MA > Lines: 8 > > >Except why did they put that stupid copy protection scheme in. It is SOOO > >irritating! > > An examination of the first few blocks of the file with a sector editor > could possibly prove enlightening. > > Carl Hommel > carlton@apollo.hp.com > >I take it from Mr. Hommel's response that he either has defeated SimEarth's >copy protection scheme via this method, or he is suggesting that others might >defeat it this way. In either case I wish to rant and rave a bit. > >First, I do not find SimEarth's copy protection scheme all that bothersome. That's fine that you don't. Others do. My personal feeling is that copy protection schemes don't reduce piracy by a significant percentage. There were various places that already had SimEarth deprotected and into the underground distribution chains a day after release. As you said, many of the people reading UseNet are programmers. One of the first things I do if I buy a copy-protected game is to remove the copy protection. Usually I don't buy copy-protected games. If I do, and can't remove the copy-protection, I return it. I will not use copy-protected software. I fully support postings telling people how to remove it -- not for the purpose of making is so others can pirate it (though invariably some people will...), but to make it more usable for people who have bought legitimate copies. Ken -- Ken Hancock | INTERNET: kenh@hscfsas1.harvard.edu Isle Systems | Compuserve: >INTERNET:kenh@hscfsas1.harvard.edu Macintosh Consulting | AOL: coming soon... | Disclaimer: My opinions are mine, | your opinions are yours. Simple, isn't it?