Path: utzoo!censor!geac!jtsv16!uunet!cs.utexas.edu!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!ucbvax!pro-sol.cts.com!lbotez
From: lbotez@pro-sol.cts.com (Lynda Botez)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple
Subject: Software piracy
Message-ID: <8905310736.AA18916@crash.cts.com>
Date: 31 May 89 05:42:21 GMT
Reply-To: pnet01!pro-sol!lbotez@nosc.mil
Organization: The Internet
Lines: 25

Yo Ho Ho...

Actually, the problem with piracy, is that it's more than just stealing...
it's a hobby for many.  I suppose you could consider a pirate a software
collector.  Most pirates spend five or ten minutes examining a new product
(which, I suppose, they could do just as easily by heading down to the local
Egghead store); then stuffing it into a plastic case with various other
"collection" pieces.

One must consider that most pirated software comes without documentation of
any kind; and a real "pirate" enjoys the challenge figuring out how to use the
product without any instructions.

Only a few pirates actually crack the stuff.  The software companies instigate
this themselves... but copy-protecting software, they put out a "challenge"
for their product to be "cracked".  As long as there is copy-protection, there
will be software pirates.  It's like putting a sign on the software that says:
 "I dare you to de-protect me!"  Hackers have been around as long as there
have been computers.  Many people actually find cracking software the
"ultimate challenge".  Whatever turns you on...  :-)

I suppose some of you may laugh.. but there are a few people out there in
modem-land who actually download stuff just to preview it... then buy it if
they think it's "worthy".  As stated previously, a large percentage of
programs are total trash.