From: mikeh@starnine.com (Mike Haas)
Subject: Re: The piracy argument to end all arguments....
Date: Thu, 5 Nov 1992 05:38:29 GMT
Organization: StarNine Technologies, Inc.

In article <OA92-901-306p1_DC448B13@piraya.bad.se> Hans_Bergengren@p1.thulos.bbs.bad.se (Hans Bergengren) writes:
>
> WS> I dont really see how you can debate piracy on the news, without
> WS> actually hearing from any pirates themselves, otherwhise you are just
> WS> speculating what pirate activity there is.

I may have tuned in late to this thread, but is someone here seriously
trying to defend stealing from the developers who bring you great things
for your Amiga?

>
>Why not? 

I guess so.  (I thought that Clinton being elected would be the last
disappointing surprise of the day.  I was wrong.)

Why not?  Because it's morally reprehensible to steal.

>I guess most people have had contact with the piracy world in one way
>or another.

Yeah.  Sounds like you need a little more of the "other".

>Some of us maybe dial up one or a few piracy BBS's to see what's
>going on in the software business.

Yes, it's patently obvious tthat "some of us" rationalize stealing
to ourselves.  But, sir, I'm not "one of you" and in my opinion,
you should modify your statement to be more like "some of us swine".
							     -----

>Yup, that's the best way, really. Better
>than reading every Amiga rag there is, since magazines always lag behind, and
>a written review is not as good as actually trying out the software for
>yourself.

So let's not only steal from the manufacturer of the software, but
let's cheat the magazine publisher of an honest sale?
>
> WS> And no intelligent pirate (I see the contradiction there) is going to
> WS> start arguing for piracy here as giving away his email address 
>effectively WS> gives away his identity to the world.
>
>Why shouldn't you be able to argue for piracy?

This is a real moron!  Ahhh!  SORRY!!!!  I didn't mean to slander
the honest, hardworking morons in the world.

Thief.  That's the word.  Common thief, except that every product
he swipes in the Amiga industry probably has more negative impact
that the average equivalent $$ common theft... Don't you wonder
how many "friends" he "shares" his "better than a written review"
illegal copy with?  How many BBS's?  How many FTP sites?

>It isn't phrobited to argue
>about it, you know. 

As though it would matter to the scum if it were.

>In one Swedish FidoNET echo, we have had a piracy debate
>since about a month, and both sides can share opinions and views. I think that
>is a good thing.

Yes, In marketing Amiga software, one becomes quickly aware of the
terrible piracy problem that exists overseas (term intentionally broad).
I know of companies that have refused to work with foriegn distributers
because the controls are so loose.

And you countries which socially allow this atrocity do it to yourselves.
Really.  A debate over the ethics of thievery?  How low
can you go?

>
> WS> So stop arguing about it, if you want to stop piracy, then stop your
> WS> arguments about it on the news
>
>Not arguing about piracy will not stop it. Well, even if we DO argue about it
>will probably not stop it, but it will perhaps convince some misaligned
>individual to buy at least one or two originals in his lifetime...

There's one way to kill this behavior.  Refuse to participate.
Report abuse to authorities.  Express indignation when confronted
with it.

BE an honest person.  May sound corny, but tough.  If you're
not doing that, you're the problem.  Simple as that.

>
> WS> as i am sure there are many pirates lurking around this
> WS> group (always reading, never posting) who are grinning really widely at
> WS> you lack of knowledge of the extent, greatness, sparseness, or piracy on
> WS> any machine
>
>What's that supposed to mean? Not ALL around are completely clueless about the
>piracy situation, you know!

No doubt.

>
> WS> Lets not entertain the subject, its futile in my opinion.
>
>Sweeping the subject under the carpet isn't going to do us any good. I'd
>rather think of it like, if we hide it away and don't look, it will grow and
>fester, and small nasty creatures are going to start creeping out from under
>the carpet... :) No really, I think there is some substance in it, if we WANT
>to deal with the problem (it IS a problem!), we've got to do it out in the
>light, so to speak. Perhaps there is another newsgroup better suited for the
>purpose than this one, c.s.a.misc perhaps?

maybe alt.i.belong.in.prison...
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.tech,comp.sys.amiga.hardware