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Torrent Giant, The Pirate Bay sold, will go legal
Loki15:
I've always supported TPB, I'm a strong believer of donation-ware. I believe if someone wants to pay for software they should be given a choice. When I see a piece of software I really like and can see as useful, I hate clicking on it to find out it is $89.99. There is no way in hell I'm gonna come up with $89.99 with the economy the way it is. But say the programmer says "If you like this program please donate", and I love the program. The next time I get some donationcredits or extra cash I'll donate. I believe freedom of choice is something this country, and other democratic countries were found on.
Some of you might say, you have freedom of choice, if your too cheap to fork out $89.99, go for the freeware. Problem with freeware is its not always quality. Most oftenly it isn't, no offense to any freeware programmers. I see freeware every day that makes me think "That's free! Wow they could make a fortune with this", In example the programs on donationcoder. I never said I supported pirated software, but at the same time, I support freedom of choice, and that is what TPB was about.
Carol Haynes:
And for the record, I find it very odd that many people is this thread seem to support TPB, whereas in other threads DC members always urge each other to support shareware developers by paying up. What's different?
-johnk (July 01, 2009, 05:16 PM)
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The difference is that shareware developers believe in the 'try before you buy' principle whereas Hollywood and the music industry believe in 'make money and stuff the consumer'.
The whole business of paying artists for their work is totally bogus - the music industry has ceased to employ musicians or anyone with talent precisely because that can get talentless bimbos and himbos to perform like trained monkeys, pay them peanuts until the end of their shelf life (usually 2 weeks) and then screw massive amounts of money out idiots who are prepared to buy the crap.
Many reputable and talented musicians don't see fans as the big problem - they see the music industry as the big mproblem and is one of the reasons that many older bands are out on the road playing to packed out venues - that way they earn some money and give fans real pleasure.
Finally I used TPB to watch TV programs that I can't watch in the UK because they often don't get shown here but go straight to DVD. The net effect of that is that I have bought many DVDs that I otherwise wouldn't have purchased because I would have no way to 'try before you buy'. Similarly with some musicians I have discovered and having found I liked them went out and bought their CDs (preferably direct from them so they get some of the profit).
TPB isn't all bad and I know my experience of using is as a 'try before you buy' service isn't at all uncommon - so much so that many musicians actively encourage the distribution of their music as a marketing tool to generate gate and sales income.
johnk:
The whole business of paying artists for their work is totally bogus - the music industry has ceased to employ musicians or anyone with talent precisely because that can get talentless bimbos and himbos to perform like trained monkeys, pay them peanuts until the end of their shelf life (usually 2 weeks) and then screw massive amounts of money out idiots who are prepared to buy the crap.
-Carol Haynes (July 01, 2009, 05:37 PM)
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But this is not an argument for TPB. Idiots buy lots of idiotic things, and businesses queue up to sell rubbish to idiots. That's capitalism, folks. Those of us who are not idiots exercise our awesome right not to buy rubbish, or to refuse to buy products that we cannot "try before we buy". The power of capitalism cuts both ways.
I really didn't want to start yet another debate about whether torrent sites are a good thing, I was just surprised to see DC members supporting these sites (which also permit illegal software downloads, of course).
And I agree that there are reasonable uses for torrent sites. Downloading last night's EastEnders, while strictly speaking unlawful, seems reasonable to me, because (a) I can't imagine the BBC being able to demonstrate any "conseqential loss" and (b) there's an argument (yet to be tested in court) that it might fall under "fair use" -- the equivalent of swapping a video tape with your neighbour (presuming it is EastEnders or other similar free-to-air material we're talking about -- for all non-UK members, I should add that EastEnders is a soap opera made by the BBC).
But no, in general, I believe if you don't like the product on offer, don't buy it. Downloading it for free just because you don't like the way the industry works doesn't make it more noble or lawful.
Loki15:
But no, in general, I believe if you don't like the product on offer, don't buy it. Downloading it for free just because you don't like the way the industry works doesn't make it more noble or lawful.
--- End quote ---
Some people are less fortunate, and can't afford all the high end software, and end up being very very talented. There are 14 and 15 year olds that are designing amazing CG work, and going on to be successful artists, who eventually pay for the program they once pirated. I believe, and can honestly think I see no harm in it, if say someone downloads Adobe Photoshop Cs4 to better their skills. I'm not saying it's okay for them to go and get rich off the product. But at the same time, why should we say how bad downloading a usually expensive program for free to simply learn a new trade is a bad thing? In a world where education is at an all time low, I honestly think that helps. Charging someone 3000 dollars for 3DS max is like charging a student to use a book its ridiculous. Why should they have to pay to learn? Growing up I've been preached too about how important education is, yet why should I have to pay ridiculous amounts of money to get that education? Tuition fees in college are ridiculous. It's the same with the new age development tools. I'm done with my rant.. I've said what I think needed to be said.
Johnk, I'm not trying to guide any disrespect your way, I understand what you mean. I respect your beliefs, but at the same time I think I have a valid argument.
wraith808:
Educational Versions? Photoshop for 189.00.
Still not an excuse from my view on things. There are several things I want to better my skills, but that doesn't excuse pirating them.
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