[net.micro.atari16] Copy protection and quality software

tlz@drutx.UUCP (ZrustTL) (08/07/86)

>>Call Accolade.  Their copy protection does not work with some early 520ST
>>keyboard controller chips.  They have a fix for this.  That's what they get
>>for going beyond the bounds of what we say is OK to use.

>- That's what the BUYER gets for buying "copy protected" software.
>Please, let's all get together and refuse to do that! As things are now,
>the pirates copy anyway, and legitimate buyers have problems, not only
>with things like an old computer model, but simply with using RAM disks
>and hard disks. Would you pay for a book that can only be read under UV
>light, and that you're not allowed to read on more than one desk?

Fine.  I guess that leaves me with a 520ST computer and a lot of
non-copy protected software that's not worth copying anyway.
While there are some excellent packages that are not protected,
most of the really useful stuff IS protected.
While boycotting vendors of copy protected software
may well teach THEM a lesson (or put them out of business),
it doesn't leave ME with much useful software.
Besides, it only teaches THEM a lesson if they know that the reason
their software is not selling is because of copy protection.

Did you buy your computer to teach people lessons or to use it?

-- 
Terry L. Zrust, AT&T Information Systems Laboratories
MS 30L49,  11900 North Pecos Street, Denver, CO 80234
     ihnp4!drutx!tlz      Voice: (303)-538-4547

keen@inuxd.UUCP (D Keen) (08/18/86)

> >>Call Accolade.  Their copy protection does not work with some early 520ST
> >>keyboard controller chips.  They have a fix for this.  That's what they get
> >>for going beyond the bounds of what we say is OK to use.
> 
> >- That's what the BUYER gets for buying "copy protected" software.
> >Please, let's all get together and refuse to do that! As things are now,
> >the pirates copy anyway, and legitimate buyers have problems, not only
> >with things like an old computer model, but simply with using RAM disks
> >and hard disks. Would you pay for a book that can only be read under UV
> >light, and that you're not allowed to read on more than one desk?
> 
> Fine.  I guess that leaves me with a 520ST computer and a lot of
> non-copy protected software that's not worth copying anyway.
> While there are some excellent packages that are not protected,
> most of the really useful stuff IS protected.
> While boycotting vendors of copy protected software
> may well teach THEM a lesson (or put them out of business),
> it doesn't leave ME with much useful software.
> Besides, it only teaches THEM a lesson if they know that the reason
> their software is not selling is because of copy protection.
> 
> Did you buy your computer to teach people lessons or to use it?
> 
> -- 
> Terry L. Zrust, AT&T Information Systems Laboratories
> MS 30L49,  11900 North Pecos Street, Denver, CO 80234
>      ihnp4!drutx!tlz      Voice: (303)-538-4547

Personally, I take great pleasure in writing to the company
whose product I did not purchase due to unacceptable copy
protection methods ( which includes most if not all that I have
encountered ) and informing them of the lost sale, the reason
why, and usually the product that I purchased in lieu of their
own.  I also point out that I have recommended to all my
acquaintances that they also search for another product.  One
should also write to the company of purchase and complement them
on their approach and pass on the same information.  Indeed, one
cannot teach a lesson without communication.  If one cannot find
a commercial or PD product to accomplish what one wants, there
is the option of writing the code oneself.  While this is
usually more expensive (person-hours to write the code), it
often is more to your needs anyway.

Don Keen, AT&T Consumer Products

AT&T barely knows I exist and certainly would not wish or be
willing to take credit for anything I may say or write.