Software Pirating. . .your take

[tm37]

<< I. Pirate. Software & Music.


I can make up a bunch of excuses.... but the main one is money... I seriously cant afford to buy new software.. but anyway I buy really superb games that are worth it.. Most games arent worth squat. I bought half life because that game ownZ!

Operating Systems : well lets see I bought 98 then I pirated ME , 2k , xp , xp pro..... yeah that covers it... Then I got into warez as a hobby. I wouldnt even use the software I downloaded heck half the time it would stay in zip form or rar... I once downloaded in one day:

98, 2k , ME , XP home, xp pro , xp plus , office 2k , office xp , a crap load of games...

Ahh yes its more fun just collecting it then using.. then the once in every 2 months time I need to use one of these $100++ programs I will have em... and the thing is I dont use them enough to warant buying it so I dont. >>



Agian it comes down to why can't you afford them? You choose to spend your money elsewhere. My sister can't afford it but she is legal on all her software. On her 233 MHz System. Judging by the amount you down loaded in such a short time ou have a high speed internet connection. Those cost money so I really don't think your arguement is really valid.

BTW do you still use 98 or are you using one of your downloaded OS's?

 

[tm37]

<<

<< Yes GOSHARKS games are to expensive but that setup you run them on sure seems nice Gosharks SCSI Monster >>



that would be a great argument, if only my dad didnt "aquire" them from his work.

oh, that goes for the moniter also >>



Your dad aqired a

<< ATI 8500 Retail (ATI 8500) >>

? Where does he work and when you say aquired did he aquire this with his employer's knowledge?

 

[Bluga]

<< because its easy as 1,2,3 to copy a game... if it was harder and took more work not as many people would do it... >>

 

[RoninRXN]

<< RoninRXN only pays for software that is cheap or can't be ripped but his system Very Nice

After looking at your rig I was really amused by this line

And saving for a car After the computer? >>



Yep. My first new computer in almost 5 years. I was running a PII 266 before that. Oh and BTW, my parents bought me that rig because I got into university...although some of that stuff I added afterward.

Oh, and you forgot that I pay $35 a month for DSL.

I, in no way, ever said that I cannot afford the software. If I did, then I appologize for the mistake. For something like Photoshop, I only use it on occasion for a school assignment or to make a banner for a website. You could argue that I don't need Photoshop for something like this but why not? It's there.

I don't know about you but here in Richmond BC (where I live) there are TONS of places where you can buy pirated software. You might have to speak in code sometimes but they will burn it for you on the spot. $5 a pop. Same with VCDs. It's not like I try to resell these...



<< You clamor that you can't afford to buy the software but the fact is YOU CHOOSE NOT TO! Why? You would rather spend your money on hardware that cannot be pirated. I am sure that as soon as that is an option you will all be doing that as well. What you fail to see is while you may not put MS out of bussiness you do hinder smaller companies from competing. >>



Pirating hardware I would never do since it would be of lower quality than the true stuff.

 

[yoda291]

<<

<< I. Pirate. Software & Music.


I can make up a bunch of excuses.... but the main one is money... I seriously cant afford to buy new software.. but anyway I buy really superb games that are worth it.. Most games arent worth squat. I bought half life because that game ownZ!

Operating Systems : well lets see I bought 98 then I pirated ME , 2k , xp , xp pro..... yeah that covers it... Then I got into warez as a hobby. I wouldnt even use the software I downloaded heck half the time it would stay in zip form or rar... I once downloaded in one day:

98, 2k , ME , XP home, xp pro , xp plus , office 2k , office xp , a crap load of games...

Ahh yes its more fun just collecting it then using.. then the once in every 2 months time I need to use one of these $100++ programs I will have em... and the thing is I dont use them enough to warant buying it so I dont. >>



Agian it comes down to why can't you afford them? You choose to spend your money elsewhere. My sister can't afford it but she is legal on all her software. On her 233 MHz System. Judging by the amount you down loaded in such a short time ou have a high speed internet connection. Those cost money so I really don't think your arguement is really valid.

BTW do you still use 98 or are you using one of your downloaded OS's? >>



ok, stop bashing the high speed internet connections. Everything else makes sense except for this. If you crunch the numbers...new phone line, wired into service, plus dial up connections to ISP will often exceed the cost of broadband. If it doesn't, the two usually fall within 5 dollars of each other.

Also, you have to look at it from the other side of the rail line. You could see it as an immoral act that should be persecuted. But now look at it from their perspective..."I have an insanely good system that runs all the latest software and lets me do 1 bagillion things, helps me learn tech which will get me employed, and play games, fiddle with questionable forms of media" or."I bought my software legally, have an average/mediocre system that gets me through the day, but my conscience is clean". Way different point of view I think.

BTW sharks...feel free to put in a word to acquire some equipment for me. I'll take anything...especially if it's representative of what you got.

 

[TimidOCer]

<<

<< I. Pirate. Software & Music.


I can make up a bunch of excuses.... but the main one is money... I seriously cant afford to buy new software.. but anyway I buy really superb games that are worth it.. Most games arent worth squat. I bought half life because that game ownZ!

Operating Systems : well lets see I bought 98 then I pirated ME , 2k , xp , xp pro..... yeah that covers it... Then I got into warez as a hobby. I wouldnt even use the software I downloaded heck half the time it would stay in zip form or rar... I once downloaded in one day:

98, 2k , ME , XP home, xp pro , xp plus , office 2k , office xp , a crap load of games...

Ahh yes its more fun just collecting it then using.. then the once in every 2 months time I need to use one of these $100++ programs I will have em... and the thing is I dont use them enough to warant buying it so I dont. >>



Agian it comes down to why can't you afford them? You choose to spend your money elsewhere. My sister can't afford it but she is legal on all her software. On her 233 MHz System. Judging by the amount you down loaded in such a short time ou have a high speed internet connection. Those cost money so I really don't think your arguement is really valid.

BTW do you still use 98 or are you using one of your downloaded OS's? >>



Hmm rather I should have reworded that ... one I get my cable modem for $26 a month slightly more than aolers so thats not a very big deal. Secondly I should have said with my excuse of money if software would be reasonably priced I would buy more.. I can afford to sometimes but not much.. I do buy the stuff that isnt blatantly overpriced. And I run xp and dont feel guilty about it at all... maybe just me but I dont need an excuse to do this. It doesnt bother me one bit. I would rather spend my money on hardware rather than have a 233 with xp pro photoshop and tons of games . You can choose the other way but ill stick with my software free unless its worth it.

 

[GoSharks]

<< Your dad aqired a

<< ATI 8500 Retail (ATI 8500) >>

? Where does he work and when you say aquired did he aquire this with his employer's knowledge? >>



hot deal from dell... that i did buy... *shrug* my upgrade for the year i guess.

idunno exactly how my dad gets all this stuff (i dont ask), mostly it is just surplus from his group (he is team leader whatever i think). he got a 3 channel uw scsi-raid card too. all the drive stuff is mostly just from testing equipment, nothing from active servers or whatever, that i do know. i really dont know too many specifics...

oh, and i have been splitting the NHL series from EaSports the past 3 years now.. but its not as bad as wolf, only 2 ways.

 

[flippinfleck]

<< I copy everything.. if I like it alot/use it alot, I BUY IT.. it's the whole theory behind MP3's (the theory people want to believe you believe in)

pirating for me, is a test phase. >>

Yeah, what he said.

 

[arcain]

First off, I program for a living. (And luckily the company's products are primarily licensed by really large companies: cell phone manufacturers, cell providers, large ISPs, so piracy probably doesn't have that big of an effect on us).

Second, I cannot say that my home system is 100% legit. I could probably uninstall everything illegal and have no problems now, but that does not justify my actions. It is still wrong.

Third, regarding the "software is too expensive" excuse. Let's take a look at the "must have programs" thread. Winzip, $30. Winamp, originally $10(?). How many of us paid them? How many just ignored the fact that we had already passed the shareware trial period in Winamp because it didn't nag? It certainly wasn't because it was too expensive. And I'm certain many more people had illegal copies of Winamp than Photoshop. Stop kidding yourself with the "it's too expensive" excuse. People do it because it's easy and painless.

Lastly, the hypocrisy issue, specifically the "I don't listen to hypocrits" attitude. Newsflash. Your parents are hypocrits. Your teachers are hypocrits. Your pastor is a hypocrit. Nobody is perfect. That does not make their words any less meaningful. "You shouldn't drink." "You shouldn't do drugs." Hypocrisy can be used for both good and evil . I just hate the "I don't listen to hypocrits"/"You're a hypocrit, so you lose" attitude.

 

[flippinfleck]

<<

<<

<< No he's not. You can't be guilty of murder jsut for knowing someone else was murdered. >>



I think the correct analogy would be:

You can't be guilty of murder just for knowing that someone MURDERED someone else and not saying anything.

And your analogy is wrong. You are guilty if you know the murderer, and he is free and you don't report him.

Paul >>



You're not guilty of murder for that. >>

Sure, you aren't a murderer, but you are an accomplice. If you found out afterwards and still said nothing, that's accessory after the fact. Crime is crime, can't have it one way and not the other.

edit to fix spelling on accomplice

 

[dionx]

if software companies release perfect software, no need for patches or upgrades, then i would buy it. i dont want to buy a faulty product. thats why i like console gaming and buy games (with the exception of the DC). i only play one computer game and would have bought UT: GOTY edition but even that has patches and upgrades.

 

[Jugernot]

Personally, games don't keep my attention long enough to be worthy of my $45. The only game that I can actually play on a semi-regular basis is Team Fortree Classic... which just happens to be free.

 

[tm37]

<< if software companies release perfect software, no need for patches or upgrades, then i would buy it. i dont want to buy a faulty product. thats why i like console gaming and buy games (with the exception of the DC). i only play one computer game and would have bought UT: GOTY edition but even that has patches and upgrades. >>



It really isn't your choice to decide which games are purchase worthy and which should be Free.

Would be like youe boss saying "we don't think you worked hard enough today so I not gonna pay you!":Q

He can fire you but he can't have you come in and work and then not pay you!

All software needs a patch or two, this is due to shoestring budgets and overworked programmers.

nice try at justifieng your theft but that doesn't work either!

 

[xyyz]

I buy ALL of my games... comeon... it's not like the game is the price of photoshop... and if you wait a week or two after they come out you can usually pick them up for $10-$20 less than what they sell for.

 

[AnitaPeterson]

Midnight Rambler,

You and the other one, who said (s)he won't build a computer for people who don't pay for an OS, are either truly saints or hypocrits.

Now, before you start protesting about your experience, patents and other ga-ga, please consider that the move to consider information as a commodity is a fulcrum point of modern international capitalism, based on neoclassic economic principles that see everything exclusively in terms of money, and pretty much nothing else matters. Likewise, First World countries have been relentlessly pushing for information to be considered a "commodity" instead of a "natural right" for every human being, because it is convenient for them to export ephemeral informatiuon to Third world countries, in return for natural resources and so on. Personally, I won't shed a tear for Microsoft or AOL, and the biggest threat to small companies doesn't come from pirates - that's a damn myth! - but from big companies and lobbies who arrange mergers and acquisitions, as well as political measures that can be classified as conservative. Too many of the people starting new companies tell me they only do it so that they can sell them to bigger firms, so that's a load of BS.

As for the rest, I think enough has been said about the practices of RIAA and MPAA to give you an idea of what's at stake, and that the Linux/OpenSource movement is a good counter-balance to classic systems.

 

[tm37]

<< Midnight Rambler,

You and the other one, who said (s)he won't build a computer for people who don't pay for an OS, are either truly saints or hypocrits.

Now, before you start protesting about your experience, patents and other ga-ga, please consider that the move to consider information as a commodity is a fulcrum point of modern international capitalism, based on neoclassic economic principles that see everything exclusively in terms of money, and pretty much nothing else matters. Likewise, First World countries have been relentlessly pushing for information to be considered a "commodity" instead of a "natural right" for every human being, because it is convenient for them to export ephemeral informatiuon to Third world countries, in return for natural resources and so on. Personally, I won't shed a tear for Microsoft or AOL, and the biggest threat to small companies doesn't come from pirates - that's a damn myth! - but from big companies and lobbies who arrange mergers and acquisitions, as well as political measures that can be classified as conservative. Too many of the people starting new companies tell me they only do it so that they can sell them to bigger firms, so that's a load of BS.

As for the rest, I think enough has been said about the practices of RIAA and MPAA to give you an idea of what's at stake, and that the Linux/OpenSource movement is a good counter-balance to classic systems. >>



If I know something it is not your right for me to share that with you. Just howmany new programs would there be if it were illegal to sell them?:Q If someone puts the time and effort into developing a peice of information they should reap whatever rewards come with it. Your arguement that it's "just information" not something tangible is really not plausible. Why do we have huge movies? Because they make money. Think about it would you work 16 hour days if you didn't get paid? Should I be able to take an article you've written and print it in my magazine? Information is a very valuble commodity and protecting those that get the information is critical to new information being made availible!

While pirating isn't the biggest treat to small companies it does effect them. Why not just make all information open source. I am sure Anad would let you take all the reviews on his site and put them on your site. That way YOU can reap the rewards of someone elses work. With your logic I hope you can find a job where you won't be burdened with having to know anything.

Shovel's right there go dig a ditch!

 

[McPhreak]

<< <tries to discretly push his huge collection of pirated software under the bed...>

I, for one, am well aware that piracy is a criminal act and probably wrong...but that damn well isn't going to stop me or the millions of other people around the world. However, I will buy software on occasion for two reasons.

1.) It's cheap (good deal)
2.) I can't wait for someone to rip it.

Of course, most of the time when I buy something and then discover that I don't like it...it goes to the FS/FT forum. I'd have to say about 90% of software is not worth the money they ask for.

I cannot afford a real copy of Photoshop nor will I buy a real copy of Windows XP. The price on these things is just too high for a university student like me.

MP3s are a different matter. I don't believe this is wrong at all to share music. Hell, there's something called "radio" which has been around for ages and no one complains about that. The main reason for MP3s is that on most albums, there are 2 good songs and 15 crapalicious ones. I'm not going to pay $15 for that fraction of a CD.

I remember Kid Rock talking about this on Muchmusic...about his take on Napster.

Kid Rock: "Meh...I don't care. I'm rich." >>




"Go RoninRXN!"

"Um...Go Jesus!"

A lot of what Ronin says is true for me as well. I use Photoshop about once a month to do simple things like lighten up a picture or convert it from a TIF to a JPEG or draw mustaches on pictures of people I hate, etc. I'm not gonna spend $600 on a piece of software that I barely use. So yes, you can consider me a software pirate...

...I'm also a jaywalker, I occasionally travel 5mph more than the speed limit, and get this, I rip the tags off my pillow.

 

[Jerboy]

<< Lately at the Lan parties I've been attending there has been RAMPANT copying of games and I'm concerned. How do these people justify stealing these games? How do they expect the game companies to stay in business? I get quite angry when people come up to me and ask if they can "borrow" a game so they can copy it. Just go buy the damn thing. I'm in college and don't have a lot of money. . .but I still BUY my games. I hate the excuse of not having enough money. The people who made the game deserve the money that they get. I honestly hope that they find SOME way to combat pirating.

What is your take on pirating? If you pirate the games (or lend them to be pirated) how do you justify your actions? Do you belive it is "stealing". . .and if you don't supply the reasons behind your thinking. I just want to see how many people actually think its "ok" to copy games w/o owning a legit copy first. All comments welcomed and wanted.

Thanks for the input. >>




People frequently asks about how to defeat the latest copy protection schemes in newer game CD's such as Safe Disc two claiming they want to make a legal copy. Do you actually believe this? If this was really true, why do games are much much heavily protected than more expensive stuff like Photoshop?

I think we should make a use of CrypKey for EVERY SINGLE games out there. It allows the user to make legal copy and there is no more excuses to be made. CrypKey works like this

"CrypKey is a serious software license control system that offers you protection from illegal copying, and confidence that people can only run your software on your terms, without requiring a hardware key or disk key.

With CrypKey, the security is internal to your software, so every copy of it is always protected, allowing you to distribute your software through any means, including the Internet. If your program is supposed to run for 30 days on a trial basis, it will, and the only way anyone can run your software after the trial period (without a low-level format of their hard drive) is to get authorization from you, by phone, fax, e-mail or C.A.S.P.E.R. Whether you are controlling the number of network seats, the number of days of use, the number of calculations, any specific program options, or whether to run at all, what they get is only what you authorize!

CrypKey is not a simple time-check, hidden-file-based system. It is a sophisticated detection system that knows with certainty whether a specific computer is allowed to run or perform particular functions with your software, and you control every aspect of those limitations! Other programs that sound similar are typically fooled by back-dating, reinstallation or registry editing. Not so with CrypKey.

CrypKey will allow your customers to transfer an authorized copy of your software to another computer, but de-installs the first computer's authorization first. Because the authorization is computer-specific, it doesn't matter who gets a copy of it, whether it's the original program disks, or even a copy from an authorized computer. Unless you have authorized the specific installation in use, they will only get a single free trial.

CrypKey can help ensure that you are paid for every copy of your software in use. Encourage everyone to copy and distribute your disks, download your software from your website, loan it to friends, family and co-workers; send copies to anyone and
everyone. It's like enjoying the marketing benefits of unprotected software, yet with the security of protected software. CrypKey seems almost magical in its operation. Every day, we hear from a skeptical developer who doesn't believe that CrypKey can do what we say, but after trying CrypKey they see it truly works, and works extremely well.

CrypKey provides serious security, without all the negatives of a hardware key. On the surface, most software licensing systems sound similar, but if you look closer, you will discover, just as we are told by developers on a regular basis, that CrypKey offers an unparalleled combination of security, reliability, economy and licensing features. Whether you have 50 users or 50,000, CrypKey offers you licensing capabilities that once existed only in your imagination. "

 

[GasX]

<< I just don't care. If I want a cd, a movie, or a piece of software, and I have an oppertunity to get it, i might . It may be considered stealing to you, but I just don't care. >>

One honest person in the whole bunch...

 

[Hallzy]

Well this is my opinion.

**on the record**
Pirating software is wrong and theft, I think no one is denying this fact. However people make excuses to justify their theft of software

**off the record**
I think that if people "try" the software they copied its fine, however the term "honor amoung thieves" hold true. If I like the program and use it allot I buy the program. This way I tell the software company that their product is good and I will support them. But if I copy a game or another program that I "try" and it turns out to be useless, bad program I wont buy it but I wont use it either

 

[althor27]

I really don't think too much about it. If I see some software advertised and think I might like it I just download it off the internet and use it. Call it piracy or whatever it just doesn't matter to me. I love to listen to the NSA messages on the radio too! They are really funny! I love broadband, and I am really enjoying my corp. select version of XP! Thanks Bill!

 

[Zwingle]

<< yes, if i really wanted i'm sure i could save enough money to buy the stuff but i dont.

call me a thief, the truth is, i just dont give a crap. i dont do it to evaluate, i do it because i just dont care.
call me a thief, or whatever, i really dont give a crap, and i know alot of people are the same way but just don't say it here at AT cus people will flame the hell out of them.

flame on >>



I totally agree with this statement

 

[silverpig]

I know this will sound repeated, but I copy software on a trial basis only. I have downloaded a lot of mp3s, and if I like the cd enough to keep the mp3s on my drive, I buy the CD. I have also discovered a lot of music on napster (RIP hehe) and other filesharing programs that I would never have heard of otherwise. I went out and bought these CDs too. If not for napster, these artists wouldn't have gotten my money.

As for software, I usually download the game/app first. Honestly, I have bought everything I use after I give it a test run. I have downloaded games that were pure crap, and subsequently deleted them from my hard drive, never to be used again. Copying software is more for my protection (as I am a student and can't afford to spend money on things I will never use again), but if satisfied, I will pay my dues.

 

<< Here's the litmus test. How many of you using photshop illegally have a processor above say 700MhZ? You really only need a 400 processor to do most anything. >>



You are clueless, or never ever had to use a computer for production.





<< Some of you people amaze me with your hypocrisy. >>





<< And no, I haven't broken any laws ... well, OK, I do drive 5 MPH over the speed limit on a consistent basis, but that's it. >>



Umm Pot to kettle.. YOUR BLACK!



<< BingBongWongFooey uses @home normally $40-$50 a month. why not use dial up and have that $20 or more a month for software. >>



Do I even have to argue the stupidity behind the statement? Here lets try, $20 a month for 12 months = $240. SO after 1 YEAR of having NO bandwidth, and no Photoshop the entire time. And your still only HALF way there.



<< With your logic I hope you can find a job where you won't be burdened with having to know anything. >>



tm37, do you know what a Zealot is?

 

[GasX]

<< Reallly IMO an actual behavior has no moral attachment intrinsically, it's really the motivation behind that behavior that defines it's morality, and even then still only relative to the social atmosphere in which it happened. Whenever behaviors are categorized intrinisically for their moral value by an individual or institution (saying stealing is wrong for example), it's always done in order to achieve some measure of social control and for no other reason. >>


blah blah blah

A software company makes its software available under the conditions specified in the user agreement that you explicitly agree to in the installation process. If you are not living up to that agreement (i.e. pirating software), you are stealing. Your justifications are irrelevant. Would you steal a car from the loca Ford dealership and then buy one if you liked it? Would you steal a book from Barnes and Noble if you felt it cost more than you wanted to pay. Would you steal a couch from Ethan Allen if you thought the salesperson was going to make money from the sale? Would you steal a stereo from Circuit City if everyone else was doing it?

If you use pirated software, you are a thief and it is as simple as that. Rationalize all you want (I know I do), but the fact remains. You are a thief.