Re: Asimov is a _PIRATE_ site. Face the Facts

[wbaguhn@nyx10.cs.du.edu (Will Baguhn)]

In article <go17939@pro-palmtree.cts.com>,
Richard Der <rder@pro-palmtree.cts.com> wrote:
> 
>jefbla@bconnex.net (Jeff Blakeney) wrote:
>>There is one point that I didn't make real clear in my post in the
>>other thread on this subject.  Most of the cracked versions of
>>programs that are on asimov are versions that were cracked by
>>"pirates" many years ago.  This is why the title screens and such have
>>been modified.  The people who have made this software available on
>>asimov usually are not the ones who did the cracking.  They are just
>>uploading a cracked version that they have had on disk for years and
>>have no control over whether the copyright notices or credits still
>>exist on that particular copy.
> 
>That is terrible. How are they (or conscientious downloaders) going
>to try to contact publishers/authors if the credits are erased.
> 
>It is hard for anyone to condone Asimov for leaving such nameless
>wares there. Even those who feel that the copyright holders will
>not recieve monetary gain from the titles anymore should realize
>something is wrong when people can no longer know who wrote them.
> 
> 
>>Mind you, all that would need to be done is to get some hackers with
>>copies of the originals to restore the original title screens,
>>copyright notices and credits.
>>
>>So, yes, things at asimov could be improved upon.  It is just a matter
>>of finding people with the time and expertise to expend on this
>>effort.
> 
>Of course it is not going to be easy for them to reform, but if
>they want to be legit, they have to. Otherwise, they can't blame
>people for blasting them in the court of public opinion.
>
>
>-----
>The Palmtree BBS  310-453-8726 v.32
>Inet: rder@pro-palmtree.cts.com
>

I think a lot of the problem could be solved like this:
Asimov isn't legit.  They aren't trying to be legit.  I don't think
they WANT to be legit.  Those "cracked by flooby" screens
are reminders that the software *ISN'T* legit.

If people want Asimov to straighten up, that's fine.  But come on,
folks... Asimov isn't going to straighten up until Asimov wants to
straighten up, no matter how much we whine and and bemoan the
fact that they're pirating.

There's better things to do than debate the (il)legality of
piracy.  I think once we all recognize that and the futility
of whining about it, we'll have a much nicer place here.

-- 
                                      --- Rev. SPQR (wbaguhn@nyx.net)