Re: AppleWorks GS

[Roy and/or Janet Miller <millers@inetnebr.com>]

Matt Jenkins wrote:

> Haven't you figured it out yet ? It's no longer relevant whether it's legal
> or not. Those who choose to copy old stuff do, those that still think it's
> wrong don't. Nobody, not even you, is going to change that.
> 

Come on Matthew. Jeff knows that. But there are lots of people buying
their first Apple ][ (or first one in many years) who log onto this and
other sources of information who don't know that 1980s software is still
copyrighted. Whether the copyright owners seek to protect their
copyrights or not is not the issue. Some people in this world still see
that taking what isn't yours is not only illegal, but immoral. Others
don't.

Jeff, unlike some crude but amusing posters, is graciously, kindly,
gentlemanly stating the law. He doesn't, and can't, force anyone to keep
the law. All he, or other "Vogons" can do, is point out when "Vandals"
are looting. Then, it's up to the people who read the posts to decide to
support civilization (law) or barbarism (looting).

I must say, that I too feel the power of the "Vandal" position. Hey, if
a product can't be bought *anywhere*, under *any* condition (new, used,
lost under that stack of 1983 Nibble magazines), what is the harm in me
giving a copy to some who wants it, but can't legally obtain it? But the
"Vogons" are right about this - until something changes, the copyright
owner is the only one who has the *right* to make *copies*. And that is
so important to civilization, that the US Constitution makes references
to copyrights.

So, may I make a suggestion? (Not that many will pay attention or heed
it.)
Polite, gentlemanly debates between "Vogons" and "Vandals" will and
should continue. And perhaps the lewd, crude and socially unattractive
stuff should stop. Even if it is amusing. In other words, why can't
posters here act like civilized adults, instead of barbarians, or
children?

And here's the challenge in this. Instead of saying, "I'll stop if they
will" or "I only respond like that when they do," say nothing. Do the
hard, adult thing, bite your tongue (or your typing finger(s), and do
not dignify childish or crude behavior with a reply. If you have an
intelligent, thoughtful counter point, make it. Don't abandon the
debate, but elevate it, seek out lawyer friends, quote the law, and
definitely try to get permission from copyright owners to allow their
work to be copied freely, if they have no reasonable hope of continued
income from their labors.

Roy Miller