Warez Philosophy
On this page, we try to answer the question, "Why Pirate?"
Most people think that software piracy is immoral and unjust. In contrast to this, I believe that it is necessary and proper, however it is illegal. I am in no way saying that I myself pirate software, but I can and will express my feelings on the subject. It is good for many reasons. Someone has to buy the game before it can be "hacked" and therefore the programmers obtain some money. Lately, the trend has been to fill the game with a lot of unnecessary film and video to make the game large and only applicable to CD-ROMs or other optical medium. While this hasn't stopped software piracy, it sheds a new light on things. A hacked CD-ROM game is usually very large and has no video. This gives people the chance to try the *actual* game and not some hyped-up demo. If someone truly enjoys the game, they'll end up buying it anyway and know that they're getting their money's worth and not getting ripped off. Some people think that software piracy is "stealing". This, I believe, is in no way true, because the full game is almost *never* the hacked version. If you want it, buy it, and that's the simple truth. Software piracy can *NOT* be stopped, only slowed down, if that. It's the simple truth.
-The Scat(V)an
As an example of the drawbacks of piracy, consider anti-virus programs. If the developers of these programs made no money due to widespread piracy, there would be a corresponding decrease in their anti-virus efforts. Why spend all your time on creating and maintaining new anti-virus programs for the public if there is no money to be made? Consequently, the creation of new viruses would drastically outrun the development of protection against them. New, more powerful computer viruses would run rampant throughout the world. No PC would be safe. Eventually, due to public demand, either someone would make a very advanced anti-virus program and charge money for it, or the government would step in. If someone charges for a new anti-virus program, we're right back where we started, after millions or billions of dollars in losses due to viruses. If the government steps in and creates its own anti-virus program, people would end up paying for it anyway through taxes. Every single person would have to contribute part of their salary to maintain this virus "security net," even people who don't have computers or have no risk of getting a virus. That would not be fair; I'm sure you would agree if you were one of those no-risk or low-risk people. Either way, it's a lose-lose situation. The only way to win is to not pirate anti-virus programs on a widespread level.
-DarkDestiny
As I see it, warez and software pirating are both integral parts of the whole computer related industry. It helps those who do not have much money, to still be able to play games that they are interested in. It's also something that cannot be stopped. They tried to cram tons of video into games, so they were very large and hard to hack, but that of course did not work. No matter what happens hackers will always find a backdoor and unlock the secret to hacking the game. Also, nothing will stop people from sharing games, it's just not possible to check and see if they're doing it. So, in all software pirating is not ever going to go away, so please don't bitch and moan about it, just live with it.
-Hellkite
Warez is a way of life for some. It is despised by many. While I do not support it or endorse it, it helps more than it hurts. By allowing it to spread, you give people to learn the products and to become more effective in our economic society. If it's limited to only the rich and the people who are willing to dish out an unknown amount every time a new update is released, then it hurts. The people at the top make millions or billions a year doing little to nothing, they just suckle at the profits that their company makes. It costs them about $5-8 to make a product that they sell for $200+ (not including any $$ paid to programmers). This is unfair to those who use it for the knowledge and for unmalecious purposes to have to toss thousands into the wind for new software. Hackers are those who use the software to its greatest benefit and find problems with it; crackers are those who go far beyond that and use it to their own malecious profitable ventures. I say, let warez live. No one is hurt by it unless it is used for malecious purposes or it is passed on and on and on (ie 1 copy goes to 2,000,000,000 people and only one copy of the software is bought). If anything, warez HELPS the company to prosper, as when people learn to use older versions, they might one day go out and buy the latest version of the software, or tell friends/associates about it and generate more sales for the company.
-GillJam
If you have feelings about Warez and Software Piracy, feel free to E-Mail me
and tell me what you think. Tell me if you want it put on this page and what alias you would like to assume, if any.
I'll put it up immediately because I feel strongly on the issue and want to get feedback.
