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Re: WHO???

I normally stay out of political situations but maybe this
is middle ground here...

>#1: Commercial software is NOT free! It doesn't
>grow on trees if one waters them well

True, software development is very expensive.  Developers
need to be paid to continue.

>#2: A company must PAY programmers to create
>software. Programmers sell their skills for money
>just like everybody else!

Same point as above just re-worded.

>#3: In order to pay the programmers, a company must
>be able to SELL software.

Same point as above, again re-worded.

>#4: Every copy of software that is in use and is
>not paid for means LOST SALES for the company.

More of the same here except this is where I would like to
re-word Rubywand's points.  If an individual uses some
expensive package once or twice that there is no way they
could afford, the company has lost nothing since this
person would not have bought the product even if a pirate
version was unavailable.  The other "victimless" crime is
copying an obsolete piece of software that is no longer
available for sale.  If there is no possible way of buying
a product, the developer has technically lost nothing.

>#5: Bug-free, pirated software costs the pirate
>because companies don't offer support or upgrades.

Yes, but only if the product is available for sale and it
is something the individual would pay for even if no pirate
version existed.

>Why is this concept so hard for some on here
>to understand?

It's not difficult to understand.  You made very valid
points but perhaps a little too black-and-white.  The world
is a little more grey than you see it.

Summing up (repeating myself...):

What hurts is when a resonably priced useful product that
is currently on the market gets distributed by pirates.  At
this point the pirates are hurting the developer and
ultimately themselves when the product or company goes
belly up.

-- Ter




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