From: David Goldman (David_at_dgoldman.com)
Date: Sun Apr 11 1999 - 21:37:39 EDT
Bill:
While I agree that the ThinkPads mailing list is not the place
for a flame war (and has been free of such for a long time),
neither do I believe that it should be a forum for piracy
advocates and warez. In all truth, I was greatly saddened
that NOBODY else had mentioned the piracy issue for over
two hours after Barry Marks made his pro-piracy comment.
Maybe I'm just very sensitive to piracy given that I make
my living by creating, selling and supporting custom software.
I renew my offer... If anybody (other than Barry) thinks that
I was out-of-line with my remarks (or that piracy is 'OK'),
then just say the word and I'll be gone.
-- David GoldmanAt 06:27 PM 4/11/99 , Bill Morrow wrote: >I don't think this is the place for that kind of flame.. :-) > > >David Goldman wrote: > >> At 03:31 PM 4/11/99 , Barry Marks wrote: >> >W95 OSR2 supports FAT32 and the original doesn't. >> >The only way OSR2 was sold was as an OEM version. >> >If it came on your computer in the last 2 or 3 >> >years it would be OSR2. If you bought the W95 >> >package in the store it's the original version. >> > >> >A way around this is to go to a small computer >> >store that will sell you an OEM version. A lot of >> >them have them for sale for a fraction of the >> >package in the larger stores. >> > >> >This isn't allowed by the license but it's >> >commonly done and I personally can't see a thing >> >wrong with it. It's not piracy. >> >> Barry: >> >> I don't quite know what to say here. It depends on your definition >> of the word "piracy" with regard to computer software and licenses, >> but if selling something in direct violation of the software license >> isn't piracy, it certainly can't be "100% OK" either. >> >> You will find that when you purchased a new machine with W95 OSR2 >> pre-installed on it, *IF* you bother to read the license information >> that you agreed to, the W95 isn't licensed to you for your use in >> whatever way you think is alright. In fact, it isn't licensed to you >> at all. The Windows 95 OSR2 (and probably all of the other bundled >> software pre-installed on that system) is licensed to that PHYSICAL >> HARDWARE SYSTEM! In other words, according to the license that you >> agreed to when purchasing the system and not returning it upon reading >> the license agreement, the (bundled) software may only LEGALLY be used >> on that physical system. If you sell the system, you may not keep the >> software for use on another system. Hell! Even if you keep the system >> and remove all the bundled software from that system, you may not >> legally install that software on another system. >> >> As far as buying a copy of the OEM W95 OSR2 software from a 'small >> computer store', that is in direct violation of the dealer agreement >> they signed when they purchased the PC hardware/software bundle and >> is against the license agreement that you agreed to buy making the >> purchase! It really doesn't matter if the practice is common or not. >> >> As one who makes his living by creating, selling and supporting >> custom software, I have to say that whether or not you can see >> anything wrong with doing something doesn't mean squat in a court >> of law. What if you "personally can't see a thing wrong" with >> selling narcotic drugs to eight year old kids or killing people >> with a gun because they don't have the same color skin or believe >> in a different religion? Does that mean it should be legal? Hah! >> You have all the morals of a snake oil salesman, Barry. >> >> It's time for you to either step up and be an upstanding, moral >> person or to declare loudly "I'm a software pirate and proud of >> it". The choice is yours, Berry. Are you planning on raising kids >> and telling them "It's OK to sign contracts and make promised that >> you don't intend to honor"? I can just see it now... Barry purchases >> a brand new, $45,000 car and takes it back to the dealer because of >> a defective transmission: >> >> Barry: Hi! I'd like the transmission on my new car repaired under >> warranty. I've only got 300 miles on it, but it burns a >> quart of transmission fluid every 50 miles. >> >> Dealer: Sure. I can see where you'd think that we'd do something >> about that, but see, our owner doesn't believe in honoring >> contracts and stuff. So we've chosen to void your warranty >> 'cause (snicker, snicker) the owner doesn't personally see >> anything wrong with that. >> >> Barry: Oh! (ha, ha) That's a good one. I guess I'm just out of luck here. >> But I want you to know that I understand completely. If you don't >> see anything wrong with not honoring your promises then I guess >> I can't fault you for that. Here, let me give you $1500 for the >> repair and by the way, my wife and son each want appointments to >> come by and purchase new cars for themselves. Is that ok? >> >> Barry, I have a suggestion for you. Either grow-up and realize that what >> you are doing is harming somebody else or get off this list and start to >> lurk in the *.warez newsgroups. >> >> P.S. If anybody feels that I'm out of line here, just say the word. I'll >> be more than happy to unsubscribe and never bother you again. >> >> -- >> /=================================================================\ >> | David Goldman | My business motto is: | >> | IVR_at_DGoldman.Com | Choose any two: [ ] Fast | >> | | [ ] Cheap | >> | Ask me for my PGP key. | [ ] Right | >> \=================================================================/
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