I disagree with Bruce stating that the average consumer tolerates, condones,
etc, the unethical behavior of others. However, his comment that "If so very
many people weren't dishonest in such matters, software manufacturers
wouldn't feel the need to take such draconian measures to protect their
intellectual property. Blame the liars and thieves, not the businesses
trying to protect their own interests." is right on the money.
When terrorists try to blow up planes, we all pay for the inconvenience at
our airports. Who do we blame for that? The government for trying to protect
us, or the bastards who started it all? Microsoft is trying to protect
itself from pirates, and we all have to deal with it. Thank every unethical
person you know for that inconvenience, but stop blaming Microsoft.
Gregg
True if you don't agree with something that doesn't give you the right
to break a law to get around it, But it doesn't stop you from trying to
change it. On the same hand big business (especially American) has
gotten so greedy that they try and most of the time succeed in changing
the rules to their favor and bind up the consumer to where they have no
real choices. Case in point is the copy write and patent laws. They have
been stretched so far to big business's favor that the consumer has
fewer and fewer rights. The RIAA and large software companies amongst
others have gotten the laws leaning so far in their favor that they can
be some of the richest companies around an say they are going broke
because fair use rules are not right. Innovation is hindered by to tight
of copy write\patent rules. Notice I said to tight. Even Franklin,
Jefferson, Washington etc. did not believe these laws should be anywhere
near as tight as they are today.
That is why I am moving away from MS until they change. To get off the
M$ wagon.
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