In Retrospect.....

[smentzer@ecom.net (Steven W. Mentzer)]

Ok, let's clear the air about something. I think I can speak for the majority 
of "pirates" in this newsgroup.

#1 - Dr. Tom used to sell pirated software. He has never denied that. Does he 
do it today? The answer is no. Case closed. Nuff Said. Live in the present, not 
the past.

#2 - Not a single pirate-badge holding member in CSA2 advocates the piracy of 
software currently being sold by commercial vendors. Garage sales do not count 
as commercial vendors. Internet auctions do not count as commercial vendors.

#3 - Not a single pirate-badge holding member in CSA2 feels that a person 
downloading a 10 year old copy of "Aztec" is hurting anyone. If it isn't being 
sold, the author isn't getting hurt.

#4 - With the exception of a couple assh*les, most CSA2 folk actually respect 
the remaining A2 developers, and would purchase the software if it is being 
sold. Those that wont never would in the first place, so there is really no 
loss. The only people being punished are the legit users.

#5 - Nathan had a rather rambunctious history of flaming, ranting and making 
rash generalizations about people he knew nothing about. It is a shame that he 
is gone, but I can't say that I am sorry.

#6 - Software support dried up because of a lack of users, not an abundance of 
pirates. There is a difference. True A2 software developers don't care about 
the $$$. They do it for the love. There is no *fortune* to be made in the A2. 
That is a fact.


To sum it all up, I would say to everyone:  !!! RELAX !!!

Nathan is gone. For all the good he did, he caused just as much harm. He is as 
responsible for killing software development as any group of pirates, 
regardless of who he is, or what he knows. He casted a negative shadow over the 
A2 community for years. He is gone, and we can all be grateful.

A small community of users can do amazing things if they remain positive. 
Nathan is gone. Propably off to Delphi or Genie or something. 

Take a deep breath, think of what *you* want from the apple II, and decide how 
we can get it. We no longer have a boat anchor to drag us down.

The bottom line: Stay Positive! 

my ~1.99999 cents

smentzer@ecom.net