stetner wrote:I am a computer scientist and although I am not making my living writing software at the moment, I appreciate people abiding by the licenses of those who are.
Although off-topic in this thread, it's a vitally important issue, and one about which we are very clear.
As an aside, I think a lot of software is over priced and the licensing restrictive, but I choose to vote with my dollar and not buy it.
This is an important point, and where we believe that software is overpriced, stealing it is simply not the answer.
Earlier this year I was prepared to drop $1k AUD on CS3. But when I tried to buy it I was told I was on the US site and I had to buy from the Aussie site. I then went there and found I could only buy it for about $1.5k AUD! Given this was for a download product I was shocked. I called them and was told the aussie version had 1 year 'tech' support bundled and I could not buy just the software.
That's a load of crap. How do they know that you need that support? What about hobby users? Tell 'em they're dreamin'.
I have spent quite a bit of money on software this year to aid me in my radio past time. Even though it's a hobby, I've spent will over $500 on some programs that may tasks in the studio so much easier. Not to mention $80 on CDs this week alone.
If the software works for me, then why should I not be supporting those who take the time and effort to write it?
That of course raises another issue: how do you know if the software works for you? In all cases where I've spent my own money, the manufacturers have provided full evaluation copies of the software for me to try and see how and if it works for me. This is important. Although the evals were for periods ranging from seven through to thirty days, I generally knew within two or three days that I was going to be using and buying the product.
OK, which is the more expensive hobby? Being a radio broadcaster, or photography?
Do I care? Not a bit!
Please vote with your dollars, and respect the rights of others even if you do not agree with them.
Exactly.
And please do not ever suggest illegal means of obtaining software here.