Piracy...
This is a discussion about Piracy... in the Slack Space category; I occasionally get on a soap box, and thought that I was overdue Anyway, I don't know how many of the regulars of this board are pirates? 50%, 25%, less, more? But I sometimes get the sneaking suspicion that a lot of people with pirated copies come here for help.
I occasionally get on a soap box, and thought that I was overdue
Anyway, I don't know how many of the "regulars" of this board are pirates? 50%, 25%, less, more? But I sometimes get the sneaking suspicion that a lot of people with pirated copies come here for help. I guess they figure they can find some knowledgeable people, and not have to worry about dealing with MS.
I replied to a dead-giveaway message earlier. He was running a W98 and Win2k Advanced Server dual boot.
Why the heck would you do that? Is there any logical reason whatsoever to run multi-thousand dollar software at home? Did he need fail-over clustering for his Quake3 server? Just so clan "ScrewMS" wouldn't lose their game? Which wouldn't work anyway since Q3 isn't MSCS aware.
Or maybe he *was* legit, and he thought he needed an emergency copy of Windows 98 running on his 8 CPU SQL server. (Yeah, sure)
No pirate could ever need Advanced Server. Secondly, if they are actually a developer and need 2k Sever, then their business can buy it for them (or buy it yourself and take a tax write off; assuming you are in the US).
Is anyone else is as frustrated as I am?
Might I suggest a course of action?
If an obvious pirate posts asking for help, politely tell them that support is not available for users with pirated software. Maybe include simple directions to purchase a legit copy.
If an adult, they can afford to purchase Win2K Pro, if they are younger (i.e. a student) they can still afford to purchase Win2K Pro. JourneyEd ( www.journeyed.com) sells academic priced software, and they have Pro for $120 and Server (complete version, 5 user) for $399.
If this is still too much money, get off the computer and go cut some lawns.
Sorry if my tone is a bit harsh, but I can only take so many messages of "I can't my SB Live working on Win2k Advanced Server!" That, and my firm develops software, so acts of piracy aren't very favorable around here.
</SOAPBOX>
Comments? Suggestions? Criticism?
Anyway, I don't know how many of the "regulars" of this board are pirates? 50%, 25%, less, more? But I sometimes get the sneaking suspicion that a lot of people with pirated copies come here for help. I guess they figure they can find some knowledgeable people, and not have to worry about dealing with MS.
I replied to a dead-giveaway message earlier. He was running a W98 and Win2k Advanced Server dual boot.
Why the heck would you do that? Is there any logical reason whatsoever to run multi-thousand dollar software at home? Did he need fail-over clustering for his Quake3 server? Just so clan "ScrewMS" wouldn't lose their game? Which wouldn't work anyway since Q3 isn't MSCS aware.
Or maybe he *was* legit, and he thought he needed an emergency copy of Windows 98 running on his 8 CPU SQL server. (Yeah, sure)
No pirate could ever need Advanced Server. Secondly, if they are actually a developer and need 2k Sever, then their business can buy it for them (or buy it yourself and take a tax write off; assuming you are in the US).
Is anyone else is as frustrated as I am?
Might I suggest a course of action?
If an obvious pirate posts asking for help, politely tell them that support is not available for users with pirated software. Maybe include simple directions to purchase a legit copy.
If an adult, they can afford to purchase Win2K Pro, if they are younger (i.e. a student) they can still afford to purchase Win2K Pro. JourneyEd ( www.journeyed.com) sells academic priced software, and they have Pro for $120 and Server (complete version, 5 user) for $399.
If this is still too much money, get off the computer and go cut some lawns.
Sorry if my tone is a bit harsh, but I can only take so many messages of "I can't my SB Live working on Win2k Advanced Server!" That, and my firm develops software, so acts of piracy aren't very favorable around here.
</SOAPBOX>
Comments? Suggestions? Criticism?
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Mar 1
Jun 20
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I like this point of view on piracy -> http://www.3ag.net/item_display.php/steal/1/
Above linked page says in much better words then I could find myself what I think about stealing software.
The only software not "legal" on my system is mIRC, running for over 30 days without paying the shareware price ... though I'll pay for it when I keep using it.
I run Win2k Pro on my PC ($170 shipped) and my CPP beta on my Laptop (couldn't yet afford second Win2k Pro copy).
There is no excuse for using warezed software.
*** slips into asbestos suit and waits for the flames ***
Concerning the post that started this interesting discussion:
I agree that someone running a dual boot 98/Win2k ADVANCED server as a homeuser can make you wonder a little bit ... Server/5 CAL (ca. $ 800) will handle most needs of a homeuser to run his Q3 server/FTP ... (prices are fullversions from TheBigStore)
So, which "homeuser" would really run Win98 and then cough up ca. $ 3000 for adv. server/25 CAL to get: up to 8 CPU, up to 8 GB RAM, Cluster service and Network Load Balancing?
So, here he is, this rare (rich) dude, the one who has a system that needs adv. server because he has an awesome Quad-CPU setup with 3 GB of RAM (for his homenetwork) ... I would estimate the hardware cost somewhere around 10K or up, maybe WAY up, and you won't find your Quad-CPU rig at your local small computershop ... this dude wouldn't care about paying per minute to get MS Techsupport.
This rare dude might even post here to get his SB Live up and running on his Quad-CPU rig ... ;(
The rest would only need Win2k SERVER ... I think a decent dual PIII CPU rig with 1 GB of RAM (and a nice SCSI/RAID system) is the upper limit (or beyond) for 99.7% of all users and Win2k SERVER would handle everything you need.
Those unfamiliar with the difference between SERVER and ADVANCED SERVER can check http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/guide/server/features/default.asp .
Well, I better shuddup, sigh, and all I wanted was to post the link ... but you know how it is ....
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DocSilly homepage
Above linked page says in much better words then I could find myself what I think about stealing software.
The only software not "legal" on my system is mIRC, running for over 30 days without paying the shareware price ... though I'll pay for it when I keep using it.
I run Win2k Pro on my PC ($170 shipped) and my CPP beta on my Laptop (couldn't yet afford second Win2k Pro copy).
There is no excuse for using warezed software.
*** slips into asbestos suit and waits for the flames ***
Concerning the post that started this interesting discussion:
I agree that someone running a dual boot 98/Win2k ADVANCED server as a homeuser can make you wonder a little bit ... Server/5 CAL (ca. $ 800) will handle most needs of a homeuser to run his Q3 server/FTP ... (prices are fullversions from TheBigStore)
So, which "homeuser" would really run Win98 and then cough up ca. $ 3000 for adv. server/25 CAL to get: up to 8 CPU, up to 8 GB RAM, Cluster service and Network Load Balancing?
So, here he is, this rare (rich) dude, the one who has a system that needs adv. server because he has an awesome Quad-CPU setup with 3 GB of RAM (for his homenetwork) ... I would estimate the hardware cost somewhere around 10K or up, maybe WAY up, and you won't find your Quad-CPU rig at your local small computershop ... this dude wouldn't care about paying per minute to get MS Techsupport.
This rare dude might even post here to get his SB Live up and running on his Quad-CPU rig ... ;(
The rest would only need Win2k SERVER ... I think a decent dual PIII CPU rig with 1 GB of RAM (and a nice SCSI/RAID system) is the upper limit (or beyond) for 99.7% of all users and Win2k SERVER would handle everything you need.
Those unfamiliar with the difference between SERVER and ADVANCED SERVER can check http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/guide/server/features/default.asp .
Well, I better shuddup, sigh, and all I wanted was to post the link ... but you know how it is ....
------------------
DocSilly homepage
Personally i don't think piracy is bad if you don't make a profit, i don't try to sell anyone burnt copies of win2k...i just give them away and at the same time i tell the person, "its well worth $250-$320 US dollars" so if you like it....buy it. I just bought my boxed version last week....
Hey, at least i have a pretty CD now.
Hey, at least i have a pretty CD now.
I guess that this piracy issue has been discussed and debated over and over. I don't think that piracy is completely a bad thing. As any cultural product (ie software, songs, films, etc.) piracy can only increase the products'popularity. And thus, once it's popular, it get endorsed by companies who pays royalties or licenses rights to the creator. Just think about the music industry, it's fonctions almost as same as in the software industry. And whoever can say that they never did copy or tape songs from radio or CD's? Isn't that piracy too?
Copyrights are very different between Music and Software, I read an extensive article about the German copyright issues in the C'T magazine a few weeks ago .... but I don't want to get too deep into this one (and it only covers german laws).
are you attempting to beat my record?
No, this is a serious topic.
lol, nice answer 
What if that person has access to MSDN? I do. And can download Advanced Server as part of my subscription. Not everyone is a pirate.
Maybe he is or maybe he's not, I don't care. I come here for the knowledge so many of you have, and are so willing to share.
Let's not start worrying about who's doin' what. ike someone else said turn 'em in to microsoft. let the worry about it...
Maybe he is or maybe he's not, I don't care. I come here for the knowledge so many of you have, and are so willing to share.
Let's not start worrying about who's doin' what. ike someone else said turn 'em in to microsoft. let the worry about it...
This is one hell of a topic I love it.
I legally bought my copy of NT 4.0 several years ago. There were two occasions when I had to use MS Tech support, what a waist of time. e mail after e mail and still the problem wasn’t solved. (DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT IT COST FOR PHONE SUPPORT) The last time I called it was ONE DAY after my tech support ended, they wouldn’t even talk to me. You know how the problem was solved...a virus solved it for me..had to do a complete reinstall. Next time I will take my friend up and use a pirated copy. I do not bleed for Bill Gates.
Secondly I'm a student and I survive of off pirated copies for learning. Has anyone priced student versions of Cad software????? No can do, way to much money.
But I can say this I don't believe people should us pirated Cad, or any other software for profit. I will eventually freelance once I graduate, and I can promise I will use legally purchased software to run my business, but right now I can't afford the software I use for education.
So as far as I'm concerned thank God for pirating for the purpose of education, and education only......that's why I get A+s in all my cad courses
I legally bought my copy of NT 4.0 several years ago. There were two occasions when I had to use MS Tech support, what a waist of time. e mail after e mail and still the problem wasn’t solved. (DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT IT COST FOR PHONE SUPPORT) The last time I called it was ONE DAY after my tech support ended, they wouldn’t even talk to me. You know how the problem was solved...a virus solved it for me..had to do a complete reinstall. Next time I will take my friend up and use a pirated copy. I do not bleed for Bill Gates.
Secondly I'm a student and I survive of off pirated copies for learning. Has anyone priced student versions of Cad software????? No can do, way to much money.
But I can say this I don't believe people should us pirated Cad, or any other software for profit. I will eventually freelance once I graduate, and I can promise I will use legally purchased software to run my business, but right now I can't afford the software I use for education.
So as far as I'm concerned thank God for pirating for the purpose of education, and education only......that's why I get A+s in all my cad courses
I'll admit also that I do have a copy of Win2k thats not legit but i also have a copy(legit as a gift) that is(really bad condition(newbie who knew not the power of NT)) so I prefer to use the better version .
I do feel bad sometimes using pirated software (im an OS freak)
In pirated versions I have all version of windows except the buck stops at win2k pro. I dont have 2k server or advanced server(I dont find any reason why I really should). I don't have legit copies of win95a and niether ME(ME is currently crucified on a cross nearby(yes im talking about the non-legit copy thats how much I hate it). But i have bought all versions of windows within a year of being realeased except 95(2 years). Im the type of person that "if I could afford it id buy it" , but dont get me wrong, if I had the money and money was no object id gladly buy all my friends software without hesitation...hell I would not mind buying you guys without legit copies the real deal.
I do feel bad sometimes using pirated software (im an OS freak)
In pirated versions I have all version of windows except the buck stops at win2k pro. I dont have 2k server or advanced server(I dont find any reason why I really should). I don't have legit copies of win95a and niether ME(ME is currently crucified on a cross nearby(yes im talking about the non-legit copy thats how much I hate it). But i have bought all versions of windows within a year of being realeased except 95(2 years). Im the type of person that "if I could afford it id buy it" , but dont get me wrong, if I had the money and money was no object id gladly buy all my friends software without hesitation...hell I would not mind buying you guys without legit copies the real deal.
I'll make a copy of my games for my other machine, as I see no good reason to buy two copies of the same software. Of course, you'll understand why I despise the XP activation. I have gotten a leagal copy of Office 2k for cheap student discounts ($10USD, NO KIDDING!)and hopefully I can snag Win2k so I don't have to use my dad's copy anymore.
Looking at piracy as a whole, there are the "pirates" and the software owners. Like any owner, the software owners don't appreciate having there things taken without asking, and especially if they are losing profit. I would be pretty pissed myself if someone stole my stuff and then sold it to someone else, or even gave it away, that's still my stuff, not his. I do wish that this product activation would not restrict the use to one pc; I was thinking 2 or 3 max.
Some software is really pricy, especially, as pointed out before, Windows. I'm sorry, but MS does not need to release an OS every year. Why? There really is no overwhelming threat to Windows on the home desktop, unless you count the Mac, but that is really harmless. Linux is cool, but I don't see it being the home desktop OS for the foreseeable future, unless some massive changes are put up. Of course it's not just Windows either that's expensive, a lot of software is expensive, some of it, like Photoshop, are deserving of the expense, but I really question it when programs cost an arm and a leg.
Software vendors are well within their rights to go after pirates, so long as the legitimate customers don't get bit by the policy.
I go to the local stores and get my software, so I have no problems with piracy.
Looking at piracy as a whole, there are the "pirates" and the software owners. Like any owner, the software owners don't appreciate having there things taken without asking, and especially if they are losing profit. I would be pretty pissed myself if someone stole my stuff and then sold it to someone else, or even gave it away, that's still my stuff, not his. I do wish that this product activation would not restrict the use to one pc; I was thinking 2 or 3 max.
Some software is really pricy, especially, as pointed out before, Windows. I'm sorry, but MS does not need to release an OS every year. Why? There really is no overwhelming threat to Windows on the home desktop, unless you count the Mac, but that is really harmless. Linux is cool, but I don't see it being the home desktop OS for the foreseeable future, unless some massive changes are put up. Of course it's not just Windows either that's expensive, a lot of software is expensive, some of it, like Photoshop, are deserving of the expense, but I really question it when programs cost an arm and a leg.
Software vendors are well within their rights to go after pirates, so long as the legitimate customers don't get bit by the policy.
I go to the local stores and get my software, so I have no problems with piracy.
Here's my opinion. If its a home user who cares if they priate software. For example I downloaded a pirated version of Win2K Advanced Server... why? Cause I wanted to see what it was like. I nuked after about a week. I don't know about you but i'm not gonna fork out tons of cash just to "see what an OS is like". You may say "there's hardly any difference blah blah blah so there's no reason to pirate it". How was I suppose to know this until I installed it? Next thing, MS isn't gonna care if some Johnny Nogood downloads a pirated copy of a major server OS for limited home use. MS won't waste their time or resources. They people MS go after are big business's using illegal OS's to make their business run better and also those people who make a profit by selling pirated software (ie Telecommander in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada).
