The Anonymous Cracked Software Poll?

  • Thread starter Thread starter bruuen
  • Start date Start date

Do You Use Pirated Software for "Try B4 Buy?"

  • yes

    Votes: 164 55.8%

  • no

    Votes: 130 44.2%
  • Total voters
    294
fraserhutch said:
I think we're in the minority here... :(

I have lost a lot of faith in people lately. No integrity. No scruples. Always out for themselves...........

Well, I for one appreciate your sentiment.
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I would not like it if someone stole a song I wrote....a song that I had put hrs , days,or months into.So I am not going to steal from another...If I can't afford it , then I guess I'll have to get a sec job,eat peanutbutter-jelly sandwiches, and wear thriftstore clothes... :eek: ..Hey!..I like peanutbutter and Jelly sandwiches!.... :D And I'm glad to see another feel the same...you do like P&B sandwiches don't you?.........
 
For some things I use pirated software and I don't feel bad what so ever...

If software cost 100 bucks instead of 700-1200 i'd buy it, but these companies can kiss my ass. As titles gain popularity and increase their sales, they raise the price...

Tell me that windows pro is worth 500 bucks, i dare you
 
the only cracked software i had was sid myer's railroad tycoon deluxe. i couldn't find the old version for purchase anywhere. i have the new version (purchased) but i like playing the old version too.

of course i lost it when i turned my old DAW into a web server, but i would have paid for it if it was still being sold.

this conversation caused me to look online to see if i could find that old game again... and i did. its on abandonia.com. i'm going to download it, so i don't have time to talk about pirated software right now.
 
mmmmm

This is a very perplexing topic...

I must say that yes I have had hacked software on my computer as well...
Anyone with an honest heart will tell you that yes they are still using that "shareware" version of WinZip...

There is a slightly different point to be made here as well...
When does software warrant the price that people pay for it...?

I started with Logic on Logic 3 (I think?) as a hacked package...
Again using it as a test bed::::

I Loved it so much and what it did for me that I bought the full version to support the company...
It was Logic Gold at the time - and I paid 399.00
Then the update (Logic 4) came out: 199.00
And the 5 update: 199.00
And the 6 update: 199.00
Then Apple bought Emagic / Got Logic 7 Pro: 299.00
Now the 7.1 update: 20.00
And I will buy more and more and more... Well over probably what the initial investment of 999.00 will be... They will make a KILLING off me and upgrades...

Some updates are worth more than others...
And I support the package by purchasing the upgrades to stay current...
But the Logic 4 to 5 upgrade in my opinion didn't do that much for me...
So, when am I paying for a few tweaks that a tech makes - and they say - "All our hard programming sweat went into this upgrade"... Some upgrades they are RIGHT - They DID put a lot of sweat into it - And those upgrades are worth it... But there are some times "I" think that I've paid for an upgrade because someone needed to pay for their daughter's "new pony"... So, they slap a new number on the software so I will buy it and they get more revenue... Somehow I don't think that is really fair going the other way for consumers as well... It's a touchy subject...

But, there are also companys like Emagic that I fully support in other areas as well... Like Apple and their OS... I'm a Systems Manager where I work all day in PC's - I pay 299.00 per seat for a copy of Windows XP... If I want another seat - I Pay 299.00 again... and again and again!

With Apple??? (And this is AWESOME)...
I use Macs at home... I buy a FIVE license copy of an operating system for my home and studio for 199.00 - A mere 70.00 dollars more for FOUR more licenses to use this software legally in my family... WHAT A NOVEL IDEA!! LET'S NOT OVERCHARGE THE CUSTOMER!!! OH MY - WHAT A "BRAINY" NOTION!

Hmm Lets see...
Windows XP Pro at home / 5 PCs / 5 licenses = (ok) 220.00 each... x 5 IS 1,100.00 dollars (For a home user???! **choke**) - plus the "online" licensing thing (**Gag**)...
- NOW -
Apple OSX at home / 5 Macs / 5 Licenses = 199.00 - THAT'S IT 199.00
AND - They don't require any type of online authorization crap and stuff like that... NOW THAT I can live with... AND I DO... And I LIKE IT SO MUCH - I SUPPORT THE COMPANY on my own volition by deciding that they MAKE SENSE in what they do - SO I buy the licenses because they ARE WORTH IT...

To me - I agree with :tru-eurt: and :fraserhutch: - You Shouldn't steal software... It IS a livelihood for those who are smart enough and capable enough to create some of these fantastic software packages for us... But, also remember that I beleive it takes THEIR integrity on the other side to not expect that they have the corner on the market and think they will charge whatever THEY want to consumers who are unable to obatin some of these packages because they either make it too difficult to be honest or charge way to much because they're afraid of being ripped off...

I think Apple has the right idea in some respects: Their OS - Is INDEED worth 129.00 - And FIVE licenses are DEFINITELY worth 199.00 - AND the fact that they think (I think they may think this) "let's not worry about the money we aren't making and press forward to continue our growth" is a WONDERFUL way for those of us on a tight budget to support them and still provide a path for us to be honest at the same time without breaking the bank...

In closing I read an email the other day that really struck me... And it may or may not apply to this situation - But it said (speaking to the loss of tech jobs moving to India and such) - - - -
"Most of us in this country are no longer "playing to win" - We are "playing not to lose"... Instead of stepping boldly forward - Sometimes we cripple ourselves thinking about what may be lost in stepping forward...

Piracy is rampant - But Microsoft is still making Billions of dollars...
I don't advocate piracy - But the sooner some of these companies stop worrying about the money they don't have and work toward making a better product and not trying to jam the little guy - the more they will literally MAKE us WANT to buy their quality product and support them...

Sorry so long and I hope I haven't pissed anyone off too much...
Just my FIVE BUCKS worth! ;)
 
Riverdog said:
"Most of us in this country are no longer "playing to win" - We are "playing not to lose"... Instead of stepping boldly forward - Sometimes we cripple ourselves thinking about what may be lost in stepping forward...

Piracy is rampant - But Microsoft is still making Billions of dollars...
I don't advocate piracy - But the sooner some of these companies stop worrying about the money they don't have and work toward making a better product and not trying to jam the little guy - the more they will literally MAKE us WANT to buy their quality product and support them...

Sorry so long and I hope I haven't pissed anyone off too much...
Just my FIVE BUCKS worth! ;)
Click to expand...
More or less to the point.

But who the hell are you to charge FIVE BUCKS for your opinion :eek:. Are you a software developer too...LOL!!!!
 
Heheheh!!!

You'll have to wait for the 2.1 upgrade to see!!! ;)

Peace to all...!
 
Let me clarify my position.....

I do not really have that much of an issue with trying before you buy with pirated software. In many cased I understand the argument for it. What I have an issue with is that for most people it is a very small intellectual step from doign this to outright pirating the software.

One ting that really does irk me though is this feeling of entitlement people exhibit. If you feel a piece of software is more expensive than you feel is warranted, where on earth fo you get the idea that that entitles you to pirate it? Just don't buy it. The fact that you paid money to purchase a computer does not entitle you to software to run it. You have no intrinisc rights to this software anymore than you have a right to steal food from a grocery store.

A software vendor has every right to set its prices. Your right is to NOT PURCHASE the software. Not to steal it if you don't want to pay for it.

That is my peeve.

My $0.02.
 
i think pirated software has its ups and downs....for people struggling in the music world....low income and havent the slightest clue wht the software does...be a pirate of the carrbean....but for the musicians who have been doin music for years and are familiar with most of the products on the market AND have the funds...purchase the product....hell im a pirate of the carribean...but the next version of this program that i use...i will buy cuz i know now what its capable of doin....
 
Cudos...

- Well said "Fraserhutch" AND "strict9ne"...
- Both points I believe are very valid and hold water...
- I also think this is the point / and danger of pirated software...

(Back down to .02 cents! Because people don't want to pay my 5.00 bucks for my thoughts!)...
 
I too have used pirated software in the past... it is a good way to demo the un-demoable. my theory is that you shouldnt make money with warezed software - if you're just messing around at home with little pet projects - why not.

I paid a truckload to legitimize my software when I started making some bucks.
 
My opinion is to just go buy the software!
Most companys that make audio/MIDI software make a cheaper version of there software up to there flagships.
Cakewalk makes: Guitar Tracks(and Pro), Homestudio(and XL), Sonar studio and producer
Steinberg makes:
Cubasis, Cubase LE, Cubase SE, Cubase SX, Nuendo
Magix Makes:
Music studio, Samplitude.
ECT.

I mean if you cant get anywere with a $100 to 300 program..........
Most folks can save that much up with spare change in a couple of months!
Sure they have less features, but were talking about legalitys here.
Most folks can make music with these less expensive programs.

Point is buy the software you use! cant aford the flagship? save up for it!
-Blaze
 
Sorry for bumping this, but I just came across this (slightly cobwebby) thread and found it interesting.

My day job is programming / tech support / manual writing / etc for a small software company. We've been screwed by otherwise good upstanding clients "demoing" our software for a month, and making nice tidy profits doing so. Then we get zilch in the end when the one-month project is over and they decide to bail on the software purchase. In my experience as a software dood, even legitimate demos lead to abuse more often than not. "Pirated demos" just sound like a euphemism for "theft" to me.

I fully understand the *desire* to "demo" pirated software. But I don't understand the *need* at all. If a software company doesn't want to provide me with the opportunity to demo their software, then I just don't buyt it. Unless I have a strong need, and have read enough good reviews on messageboards like HomeRec.

In depth reviews hold more weight with me than any brief demo (<= 1 month) I've ever conducted.

$0.02!

Johann
 
I agree with your position in that if there isn't a demo available, don't buy it...and I don't...(hope the makers of SoundSoap are listening). I think all software companies could do better to provide a limited access or time-out version for legitimate demo puposes.

As for the reviews...not so much in step with you there. Too many reviews are done by biased or otherwise swayed people. For every app out there, there's going to be a "glowing...best thing since sliced bread" article. This makes it hard to know which review was real and which was paid for.

Bottom line in my book is, if you didn't buy it, you stole it.
 
punkin said:
This makes it hard to know which review was real and which was paid for.
Click to expand...

Just to clarify, by "reviews" I meant the kind we get here on HomeRec -- user reviews -- *not* magazine reviews etc.

That said, you are still correct that there are lots of biased / bad / inexperienced reviewers around... Me included! :D
 
I work for a software company, a very high-priced piece of software, and pure ethics aside, there are different ways to look at this. On one hand, if a person gets a hacked copy who would never buy a copy, than that isn't a lost sale for the company. The person was never going to buy it.

On the other hand, a short demo or a hacked copy could be used by someone for a mastering project which makes them money. A fully functional 30 day demo would be long enough for lots of professional projects....cases in which the person should really be paying for the software. That's the fear of demo's for many software companies, I would guess.

There is a perception about software in which people don't see it as a thing, or quite as permanent than hardware, I think.

I'm also waiting for someone to take the leap of making an operating system specific to audio and that's it (no e-mail, no web surfing, etc). Stable and optimized for only specific software and audio hardware. Then a company could sell an all-in-one solution - D-A convertor, sound card, software, and hardware. That would also be a great way to prevent hacking too...the software would only run on their hardware.
 
I think it's simple: If you make money by using the software you should pay for it.

If you make no money by making music, what harm is there in using warez you wouldn't be able to afford anyway?

I thought that's why software is so expensive, the pros flip the bill.
Even with the rampant pirating the corporations are doing fine.

Yarrrrgh Mate-y'
 
I love all the people justifying piracy with the "sticking it to the big greedy companies" argument. Gimme a break and be honest. It has NOTHING to do "greedy big companies". It has everything to do with a) being easy and b) extremely low odds of getting caught. That mindset speaks volumes about you.
 
As a Mac user, I think I'm going to have to disagree with one thing--the not buying if there is no demo. I am very interested in using Logic (specifically Logic Express 7), but I am concerned as to its performance on my system.

By today's standards, my current processor is unbelievably meager. It's a 350mhz G4 and I'm running OS 10.3.9. I have 640MB RAM, which may be the key here, but I can record 8 tracks simultaneously from my Delta into Cubase, and yet with Apple's GarageBand 2, I can hardly do anything before it stops. It seems to be really processor intense.

GarageBand is based on Logic, so I'm concerned that if I shell out the money on Logic, it won't perform how I want and then I'll be stuck with it... Apple really needs to offer demos of their Pro products, but they don't.
 
Alexbt, I would personaly stay away from Logic. I owned it when I was using a 400MHZ G4 AGP Graphics (Known as the "Sawtooth" Model).
I had a Gig and a half of ram and It realy wouldnt go beyond 12tracks for me and thats with OS tweeks and all.

Digital performer was much kinder to my system.

I work for a store who sells Cakewalk and Digidesign products.
Yes Digidesign makes a hell of alot of money on there crap! But they did all the hard work so, to say they are ripping us off is neither here nor there.

Cakewalk is very diferent. They dont up there prices. they give you your moneys worth.

Pirating is stealing plain and simple.

Jinx! Your an IDIOT!
the harm is that you are taking a license and exploiting it! You dont own that licence, So you stole it!

To say "whats the harm makes" you as dumb as any criminal.

As I said in a earlier post every company makes a lower priced cut down version. If you need more then you need to buy it.

You didnt write the code and work your ass off to make and promote and come from the ground up to create a product that works for what all these products do.

If you dont buy them then you dont deserve them, when you create an amazing great program then you can talk till then..... have fun in your pathetic amateur ranks, PIRATE!

-Blaze
 
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