IF..THEN syntax

[Melanie]

I agree with most that you say with the exception of the book example.

If I buy a book (or CD or DVD or whatever), I'll probably read it and like with most people it is then destined to spend the rest of it's life abandoned on the shelf. You can come along and borrow the book, read it and return it to me. I can sell that book or give it away to someone else. But at any instance in time, only ONE COPY exists, but more than one person can enjoy the book, certainly not just the person who originally bought it. After all, all your school textbooks have probably been read many times before you and long after you have finished with them. Libraries would not exist where a single copy can be borrowed for the enjoyment of many. The objection is where someone COPIES the original work without recompensing the author/publisher.

[sayzer]

Another point of view is from me.

For US$10, I buy a pirate copy of a US$900 software.
I do the job and earn US$2,500.
Then I go to the shop and buy the original version at US$900.
Me = happy, software maker=happy, customer=happy

This is the way for me to buy the original version.

Who can call me a pirate software user?


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[keithdoxey]

Another point of view is from me.

For US$10, I buy a pirate copy of a US$900 software.
I do the job and earn US$2,500.
Then I go to the shop and buy the original version at US$900.
Me = happy, software maker=happy, customer=happy

This is the way for me to buy the original version.

Who can call me a pirate software user?

----------------------

At the point of doing the actual job you were a pirate user but having bought the software I suppose that legitimises it.

I have done similar with a disney film. Saw it at the movies, got a downloaded copy for the kids to watch (VCD) and then when the DVD came out I bought it so I dont feel that I have cheated Disney out of anything.

Having said that, we went to the Cinema a couple of weeks ago to see Night at the Museum. Good family film, current release. Last week I was talking to someone who said they hadnt seen it yet because they lent THEIR DVD to someone THREE WEEKS AGO before it was even on cinema release here.

I very much doubt that they have any intention of getting a genuine DVD once it is released and that is true of many users of Pirate Software

[therian]

I dont want to upset someone but think about this . Try to imagine word if there was no piracy. First look on internet : where all those web sites what people create ? Where all those drawing ? where flash cartons and games where all DJ ? where...? are we back in 70?

[malc-c]

Melanie,

Good point with the book anology...

As a side issue (and now way off topic for this thread) I wonder if having a fully working, but resticted version of PBP would affect the sales of PBP dramatically. Something like Mikrobasic, which offers the chance to write full programs with a limit of 2K compiled HEX. I wonder if it would also reduce the amount of pirated copies that find their way into the home / hobby user..? But then again, I would susspect that some low life would come up with a means of getting past the restriction and removing the limit.... just can't win !

[scaenix]

As a side issue (and now way off topic for this thread)

Hmmm... I believe that the issue is really way off topc for this thread. I hope someone moderates this. Hehehe.. I kinda get excited everytime I got a notice in my email that someone replied in this thread. I'm always thinking that another golden advice regarding the topic I started would be given. Though I didn't get any related advice, the excitement that I felt when I was thinking of a solicited advice was replaced with the excitement about issues that in one way or another affect our lives as users or producers. I suggest we start another forum topic regarding the issue. More power!