More people do this than I thought.....

[RoyNoahJones]

oh yeah, and besides that I'm really young and don't have a job and I'm still in school. Not looking to make money, not professional, etc.
-Oh, and I dont take offense, The difference I see is that software really isn't a material product, Its not like I went into a store and took the CD or anything like that, Its not like their losing money because I never would have bought. It is like MP3s of music I never would have bought, but after listening I realized "wow, I actually enjoy this music" and go buy the album at a store so I can listen and really become a fan and own the albums.

I get your point but don't push it too far

The Only difference is that you're anonymous.
Now go to the places where you get your cracked software, hang around, with a REAL complete profile ( Real Email Adress,Real Name, Real Address, Phone Number where everyone can Reach/Catch you/Report your connections with illegal activities.) and you'll understand that there's no difference.

The Risk is Real.
Internet allows you to be faceless. That's all.

As long as you support the developpers that made you happy while using their software, maybe we could consider this as a start.

[koolkeys]

Although, there are ways of tracking people these days. Your chances aren't great of being caught, but what if you were?

Another scenario. I just spent $100,000 on a new house(not really, I live in an apartment). There's a guy down the road with no home. He has no money, no job, etc. He decides that he can't afford a house like mine, and decides to move in with me, without me knowing. He can't afford it anyway, so he's not really stealing, because he couldn't have paid for a house in the first place. Instead, he uses for free what I saved up for and paid for. He gets priveledges for free(running water, electricity) that I pay for. Is this right? NO.

He should go get a job, SAVE the money, and get a place of his own. Stop freeloading. Same in software. You can't afford it, you don't get it(I think I've said this like three times now).

Hey, I'm not rich. There is alot of software out there I wish I had, and I know if I wanted to get cracked copies, I could. But I won't. It's just not fair to those who give their lives to solve our problems in software. Theft is theft, wrong is wrong, and excuses are justifications for wrongdoings.

Koolkeys

[Wormhelmet]

Very interesting to read about 90% of the people that hate warez users used to use it themselves. I can relate with it. I hate seeing drunks cause I use to be one. It reminds me of myself. I can be tolerant a little of them as well because maybe someday they won't drink anymore and will, in turn, hate seeing the drunk too. I'd rather politely steer someone toward some quality alternatives, rather than rant up one side of them and down the other for being the old me.

[koolkeys]

Again, this is why I agree with not being too harsh on them. Hey, we've all made mistakes, and let's be real, we'll make some more. But regardless of if it's an honest mistake or not, doesn't make it right. That's why I stand for this. I won't get on anyone personally unless they are intentionally beligerant.

I am offered cracked software frequently, and I politely pass. I find alternatives until I can afford it.

Koolkeys

[ghost666]

hitman,

Surely someone who can afford a PC capable of being a DAW can afford $39 for eXT?
Greg

Maybe they stole it!

[cptgone]

I'd love to have the hobby of horseback riding; however, I cannot afford a horse

Not a fair comparison IMO.

Take a common man from Liberia. He can't afford Reaktor. He could use freeware, if DLing it is possible. But what if he would use a cracked Reaktor? NI wouldn't lose anything.

They don't have to buy him a horse.[/i]