Issues as of late

["Greg Andrzejewski" <pressyourluck85@yahoo.com>]

I purchased my first Apple II in 2002, years after many events that are 
currently being discussed occurred. I find myself a bit out of the loop. 
Could somebody please give me a brief, unbiased account of events involving 
this colorful cast of characters we've all been reintroduced to?


If I may comment on the piracy issue, AFAIK the commercial market for Apple 
II software has been dead for well over a decade. I don't think anyone will 
argue that it is impossible to make a living off of Apple II software. We 
all must, therefore, entertain obligations outside the hobby which we all 
share. Consequently, the development of new software has slowed to a 
trickle.

The decision of how to distribute a piece of software is the decision of the 
author. Whether or not we agree with the choice is irrelevant. I believe 
that, today, if you are developing Apple II software to turn a profit you 
are doing it for all the wrong reasons. Most, if not all, of your customers 
will probably be readers of this board, people that have probably helped you 
out from time to time, asking nothing in return. I know this board was an 
invaluable resource when all I could do was make the little Apple logo slide 
back and forth.

Again, it's not my decision to make how new software is distributed. Maybe 
the author needs justification for the hours hammering out lines of assembly 
that could have been better spent on work or school. I wanted to pirate a 
copy of Harmonie. It would have been easy, too. But I realized that by 
paying for it that I am showing Joe Kohn and Bill Heineman that there still 
are those who use Apple II computers and appreciate the work being done to 
further extend the platform. Also, I feel good giving those with the power 
to do so the incentive to create more pieces of fine software.

Pirating currently sold software only hurts the platform. If we don't 
support those who write the programs, eventually this amazing line of 
computers will fade into oblivion.

[/soapbox]
-Greg