Answer Truthfully Now...

[Karlos]

Short answer, yes. Slightly longer one, yes, but entirely legally. I have certain copyrighted software that was not paid for, but use with the vendor's express permission.

[Karlos]

So wheres your Vote then Karlos...

I declined to vote given that the wording of the poll carried the implicit suggestion that the unpaid for software was in use illegally, which is not the case.

[Karlos]

I'm with Franko.  I refuse to believe that  someone has purchased all their software/media new, or paid all their shareware reg fees, in their entire computing history.

Whatever, but this is not what the question in the poll is asking:

Do you Currently Use Any Copyrighted Software That Haven't Actually Paid For...

[Karlos]

So what does it mean if you have it but don't use it?

If you don't use it, then, logically you can't currently be using it, so the answer would seem to be "no".

[Karlos]

The problem I have with this is that unless you've NEVER used unpaid/pirated software then it lacks credibility to be so precious ie "Oh yes I USED to have pirated software, but I don't anymore, so now I take deep personal offense that you dare question that I no longer do".

I think a person that has sincerely reformed themselves has every right to be offended at having their sincerity questioned on the basis of their previous behaviour.

Would you think it fair to exhibit the same brand of cynicism towards someone claiming to be teetotal and "never touching a drop" on the basis of their previous alcoholism?

"Oh come on, you must have a wee tipple every now and again! You used to sink bottles of the stuff!"

[Karlos]

calling Franko a "muppet", (something he regularly resorts to whenever someone doesn't agree with his POV, but never seems to be moderated for.)

Subjective, really. Muppet is pretty innocuous. If somebody called me a muppet, I'd be pretty unfazed. Personal insults are a rum do, but you have to keep a sense of scale.

When stuff gets nasty and people get upset, then moderation comes into play. You'd all be complaining about censorship like it was going out of fashion if we cracked down on the slightest aggravated exchange.

If one takes offence at being called a muppet by a complete stranger for suggesting it is unbelievable that someone actually uses a "clean" system, then they should also realise that it is equally (if not a lot more) insulting to have your honesty questioned by a complete stranger.