Re: A2 Trade/Swap ... site ...

[Sandra Warnken <warnken@mother.com>]

Dear Tom,
 
I thank you for your candor.  I am sticking my neck out too, but I will
try to respect your vulnerability.  I think we are in accord as far as
wanting to keep the A2 platform alive, active and productive.  I agree
that Apple abandoned the A2.  It was a shocking experience to call Apple
SOS to get help with installing system 6.0.1 on a hard drive and the tech
wasn't aware that I had an Apple authorized system.  I had bought my
software from Sun Remarketing and had the manual to refer to.  As you know
the Apple logo and typical design of the earlier Apple manuals isn't on
it. So I couldn't argue that it was an Apple authorized system.  The tech
asked what was Advanced Disk Utilities, etc. I read the text to him.  He
didn't have a clue what I was talking about.  Thankfully, they didn't
charge my credit card for the $35 I agreed to pay up front for the
consultation.  The user group has taken over the job of customer care.
 
I agree there is a need to make some of the older software available.  My
club places a lot of computers in schools for free.  We teach teachers how
to use the computers.  I've noticed in this last year that more of the
companies selling commercial software for schools are no longer carrying
it for the Apple II.  I try to keep an updated list of companies and other
sources for teachers who contact us.  It would also help to have the
manuals. From that standpoint I don't object to your activities.  Were it
not for the constant criticism, I wouldn't know there was a problem with
what you are doing.  
 
To reiterate what is clear to me in your response - you were a pirate of
A2 software from 1991 to 1993. You were using cocaine. You sold to a
variety of people including some in law enforcement.  There were law
inforcement people who purchased software from you or knew about you, when
it sounds like they should have stopped you.  A multitude of people
supported your piracy. It takes two to pirate. It sounds like you deeply
regret what you did.  You are still being affected by what you did.  Many
still consider you to be a pirate in the same capacity, when you think you
are not.  Correct me if I have misunderstood you.
 
I came online just before Nathan Mates left.  His was a dramatic ending.
He named you and some others as pirates.  I was curious.  I have read the
various websites that were referenced concerning your activities.  And I
have emailed various developers about their hostility.  My take on the
anger and hostility directed at you is that you have hurt people with your
actions. I don't know if it's just from 1991 - 93 or if it's later.  But
what you have had a big impact.  A couple of folks said they quit writing
software because of you.  That's not gossip in the club.  That's straight
from the developers email.
 
Did you ever attempt to make any sort of restitution to the folks you
pirated from?  I ask this because my hunch is that the folks who are
really angry with you and attacking you are scared of what you have done
or could do.  All they know to do is harrass and try to drive you out.
You may know that you've made a change, but what you are doing looks
very similar to what you once did.  How can they know you aren't the same
unless you make some kind of restitution or other outward show?  And act
in a trustworthy manner.  
 
I don't care to continue the endless debate on the copyright business.  I
am concerned here in making it possible to welcome back the folks who
might return if they felt it was safe to produce.  The hostility needs to
stop on both sides.  As you point out pirating hurts everybody including
the pirate.
 
LL&L
 
Sandy