Re: Issues as of late

[Exegete <royandjanet@inebraska.com>]

Greg Andrzejewski wrote:

> 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 

Nice. The only quibble I would have Greg is that csa2 is NOT the only 
place Apple II people gather. And, to develop Apple II for a profit is 
not wrong, though perhaps a bit uninformed.

Roy