Path: utzoo!utgpu!attcan!uunet!ncrlnk!ncrcae!hubcap!gatech!rutgers!bellcore!geppetto!duncan From: duncan@geppetto.ctt.bellcore.com (Scott Duncan) Newsgroups: comp.misc Subject: Re: Software Development And Piracy (Spurred By FTL replies) Message-ID: <12656@bellcore.bellcore.com> Date: 15 Dec 88 12:06:50 GMT References: <555@icus.islp.ny.us> <2363@ddsw1.MCS.COM> <27145@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU> Sender: news@bellcore.bellcore.com Reply-To: duncan@ctt.bellcore.com (Scott Duncan) Organization: Computer Technology Transfer, Bellcore Lines: 70 In article <27145@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU> amorando@euler.UUCP (Alexander R. Morando) writes: > >Computer stores are the sources of a lot of piracy. They often leave disks >lying around. It is possible to copy RIGHT UNDER THEIR NOSE, dealer versions >of software that are not copy protected. I know one store in particular, that >I would rather not receive copies of any of my software... And I know of people who have worked for stores who have everything you can imagine in their posession, clearly not paid for. >The average person is always looking for a way to save money. Given >the opportunity, he will pirate software. He would feel like a patsy if he >went into the store and bought it, when he could get it for free. Well, I don't approve of illegal copying/use of software. I understand this feeling. I refuse to buy from stores -- I always get software through the mail. Why? People in stores have been absolutely USELESS when it comes to any serious advice/support for ANY software I have ever tried to pruchase from them. (I am a programmer, etc., so I can afford to support myself, but I am a USER of software as well and would be more willing to support stores if they had something to offer. I buy hardware from stores because it DOES wear out, break-down, etc. and I am NOT skilled/knowledgable enough to do this for myself.) >A lot of people pirate software so they can look at it. If they like the >software enough, they will go out and purchase a legitimate copy. There is >a lot to be said about piracy in this form. It allows potential buyers to >test-drive stuff, without the hassle of dealing with money-back guarantees. I do NOT find this true in my experience with people. >I would feel uncomfortable going into a software store and asking for my >money back, knowing that the store thinks that I probably duplicated the >software while I had it, even though I didn't. How often can you do that to >the same store? After a while, they will probably change their policy, or >will refuse to sell you software, or will be snotty to you. If they had GOOD SUPPORT for and KNOWLEDGE about their products, I, for one, would not need the 'test drive' situation. I usually find someone who has purchased (and used) the package(s) of interest to me and ask them what ex- perience they have had. Then I buy it mail-order at a discount if I want it. > I think it is important to knock down big pirating groups and pirate >BBS's. Just exposing them and giving them a warning is enough to change them. >Expecting citizens to rat on their friends is rediculous. No one would do >that. I guess I'd have to agree with this on a practical basis. If you're going to go after someone, target the biggest abusers. I think, at this point, it's a bit like prohibition, however, no matter what economic case one may make. I think the fear of software sources drying up means little or nothing to the average user of a home/desktop system. People are not yet vitally linked to the function of personal computers and have them as pure luxury items, i.e., whatever they are using them for could be done with paper and pencil (admit- tedly much harder). Personal computing is NOT as important as driving, using the phone, etc. and the great home computing revolution has not really had the impact in the fun- damental way that cars and phones have. Until it does -- until computing is more hidden within the applications in 'appliance' fashion -- people will not take concerns like piracy, support, insurance, etc. seriously. If it is something they can envision themselves doing without, they won't pay much to have it. (People copy records, videos, etc. ALL the time. It's a luxury entertainment item that they do NOT really value highly.) Speaking only for myself, of course, I am... Scott P. Duncan (duncan@ctt.bellcore.com OR ...!bellcore!ctt!duncan) (Bellcore, 444 Hoes Lane RRC 1H-210, Piscataway, NJ 08854) (201-699-3910 (w) 201-463-3683 (h))