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From: dgary@ecsvax.UUCP (D Gary Grady)
Newsgroups: net.micro
Subject: Re: New ideas on software piracy... Flames welcome.
Message-ID: <1794@ecsvax.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 30-Jul-85 12:48:40 EDT
Article-I.D.: ecsvax.1794
Posted: Tue Jul 30 12:48:40 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 2-Aug-85 00:39:57 EDT
References: <419@gumby.UUCP>, <443@utastro.UUCP>
Organization: Duke U Comp Ctr
Lines: 44

> 	I have this idea floating around in my head that I can't get 
> rid of. Why can't information be free?
> -- 
> John Foust

> ... I agree completely.
> 
> Most of the software I use very day is Freeware or Public Domain.  Andrew
> Flugelman is gone (R.I.P.) but his ideas are very much alive:  try out my
> program, send me (a modest amount of) money if you decide to use it a lot.
> -- 
> Ed Nather

I use a great deal of free and Freeware stuff myself, and I have written
a free communications package widely used in the local area.  I've
nothing against free software, but...

We all tend to assume that everyone else wants to do what we do (a sort
of Dark Side of the Golden Rule, I suppose).  The fact is that a great
deal of software is NOT going to get written for free.  Would you write
a public domain inventory control system?  An accounting system (I mean
a REAL accounting system)?  We're yet to see a good, free spreadsheet on
micros (I mean anything even remotely approaching Lotus 1-2-3).

I suspect that for something to be written for free (or freeware) it
must be perceived as easy, intellectually interesting, or both.  In a
few cases someone may develop some software for his or her own use and
then release it to the public.  In general, though, you'll grow old
waiting for "free" versions of boring but necessary or very difficult
software.

I've nothing whatsoever against writing or using free software.  But I
would also like to see the protection of the rights of those who do
want to be paid for their work.

An aside:  It's interesting that John notes in his article that he has
only run into one person who refused to accept pirated software; what
does that say about why publishers find it desirable to slow down theft
with copy protection schemes?
-- 
D Gary Grady
Duke U Comp Center, Durham, NC  27706
(919) 684-3695
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