#Workbench 2.0
3 messages in this thread
RE: "We did not mean to jump on Jim – just to tell him what is going on."
I didn't feel jumped on, Betty, but thanks just the same. On second
thought, I was a bit disturbed that I was cast in somewhat of a pirate
image, when in fact I purchase all the stuff I use (and I mean thousands of
dollars worth a year).
It pleased me, though, that James was taken to task by his own beloved
Amiga community. Why? Well, because I _believe_ he and his friends are not
nearly as respectful as they should be towards the rights of ownership. I
don't know this for certain, because they know I don't hold to piracy, thus
probably holding their tongues around me. I can testify that James has
indeed purchased the major programs he uses, 'cause I've seen the manuals
and labeled disks, but I'm not sure he is being very straight with
shareware.
Anyway, I think it is good that more than one person complained about
his message. He was surprised!
Thanks, —GeM
When James has a few products out there, he will suddenly understand a lot
more about piracy than he does now. I've watched lots of kids grow up on
computers, and have watched their attitudes change as they grow more
competent and as they produce programs that others use. I'm afraid that
LOTS of people are not very good at sending in shareware fees. One
computer club that I belong to takes up a collection at every meeting, and
sends it all to one programmer whose work is known to be in use amongst the
club members. Most people will drop in a rather generous contribution at
the meeting, because they have not taken time to sit down and address an
envelope, write a check, etc. The programmers still get the money, even
though each individual club member is not registered. The club has three
or four Amiga chapters meeting in various parts of the DFW area, so the
amount collected is not inconsequential.
I do hope that James gets his opinion expressed in the right places so he
will be heard. The CATS crew are very responsive to suggestions. Is he
not in school at UTA? If so, he can get a Usenet account, and can contact
them directly there.
Betty
RE: "When James has a few products out there, he will suddenly understand a
lot more about piracy than he does now."
Agreed. All my preaching will never stand up to a lesson such as that.
Unfortunately, according to long threads in IBM forums on this issue, many
pirates who are reformed via finding themselves on the other side of the
stick continue to refer back to their old ways to acquire the software of
others, while preaching honesty in behalf of their own product. Reportedly,
that is, they wish to have their cake while eating the cake of others
toll-free.
I hope and pray that James's old inbred honesty will prevail eventually.
I have been living testimony for him that honesty provides one with a
wholesome feeling of oneself. A feeling that is priceless, considering that
happiness is not found, but created within ourselves.
RE: "I'm afraid that LOTS of people are not very good at sending in
shareware fees."
Shareware fees are indeed a hassle. I prefer commercial software for its
ease of payment, in spite of its greater price. Besides, you usually get
more for your money via labeled disks, printed manuals, and
honest-to-goodness recorded registration record keeping along with upgrade
notices. Unfortunately, some shareware is simply superior to commercial
stuff, so I must suffer the hassle.
Betty, I have five long-term outstanding uncanceled checks that were
gobbled up via USPS to shareware authors, and I'm not talking about ones
sent to foreign addresses that often cost the author more to cash than the
check's face value. In fact, one of my favorite and regularly used
programs, Electric Dvorak, is in that category <sigh>.
I even appealed for help in communicating with Tom Phoenix, Electric
Dvorak's author, on three online services and several major user groups. No
dice, my letters, which include SASE's, go unanswered and my check uncashed
(I even wrote it for more than the request, which is common for me).
Yes, I managed to communicate with folks who had communicated with Tom
Phoenix, even getting a CompuServe number for him. No luck <sigh>. If
anyone reading this can help, please do. Tom's USPS address, the only one I
ever had, is as follows: Tom Phoenix, Box 265-ed, Portland,OR 97207-0265.
Your computer club experience is a great idea, in my opinion. I really
like that! I've never seen that done at Mac user meetings. Pirate lectures
is the only tool used as far as I've witnessed.
What I have done, though, is help friends pay their fees <g>. When I
about to draft a letter and send in my fee for something I know or suspect
is being used by friends, I call them up and offer to include them with a
single letter and check. I've managed to get up to three individuals
participating in one fee payment. Sadly, I've never had the favor returned,
though.
James is in college at UTA, and I'll bet he is aware of the current UTA
telecommunication gateway. After all, he is studying computer science.
Besides, he grew up with computers, running his own 24 hour BBS before he
was out of junior high. His telecommunication knowledge is infinitely
greater than mine (or any of my computer friends).
Happy Trails, —GeM~~~~