Re: Asimov is a _PIRATE_ site. Face the Facts

[kfletche@extro.ucc.su.OZ.AU (Kate Fletcher)]

In article <4tlv3o$bpe@news.bconnex.net>, Jeff Blakeney wrote:
>wbaguhn@nyx10.cs.du.edu (Will Baguhn) wrote:
>
>First, I have no idea if the people using asimov want to be legit or
>not.  This discussion has been taking place in comp.sys.apple2 and I
>don't think many of the comp.emulators.apple2 group regulars read this
>group unless they also own and use real Apple IIs.  Once they are made
>aware of the rules that we would like them to follow, then they can
>decide and let us know whether they agree or not.

Some of us (the emulators folks I mean) do read csa2...  Actually, this is not the first time the piracy
issue has cropped up (it do so during the tenure of the last FTP site at cassandra.ucr.edu).  I agree that
it is preferable to have original copies of the software (even if purchased second-hand).  But how
realistic is it to expect users to travel the continental U.S. (or worldwide) to find garage sales or
thrift stores which have a used copy of "Aztec" for $1?  I have no intention of attempting to justify
piracy of any type; however expecting strict adherence to the letter of the law in a market where used
Apple software can be purchased for $10 a crate (I'm sure glad I went to that auction!) are we really
trying to restrict Apple II software users to the limited numbers of originals available?  If you want to
do right in supporting the old titles then purchase the re-releases and "classic" packs available and
support the repackaging of old software!  I feel (on a personal and moral note) that having purchased
Ultimas 1-6, the Lost Treasures of Infocom, Wolf3d and Activision's C64 and Atari packs etc on CD gives
me the right to use the old Apple II versions of the same on disk-image format.  As has been mentioned
earlier and elsewhere - these companies may not be the original authors but they are the current copyright
holders...

Anyone would be mad NOT to want the original packaging and manuals from a time when care and thought was
put into game software.  I have three copies of Infocom's "Hitchhiker's Guide" just for the "DON'T PANIC"
badges alone :-)


Alex

(posting temporarily through a friend's account - please direct any replies to "alexm@zip.com.au")