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Offline JaXanim

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Re: Where do I get software legally?
« on: March 14, 2007, 05:51:27 PM »
Copying, archiving, PDFing of any literature, manuals, instruction leaflets, etc. for whatever purpose is subject to the same Copyright rules as software. Many people seem to think there's a distinction, but there isn't.

I don't say this 'cos I have a hangup about pirating software,  it's simply for information. I have copies of software on floppies that I didn't buy from anybody, just as you probably have. I photocopy printed stuff all the time, but in law it's illegal.

Whether anyone should 'preserve' Amiga software and manuals by copying them to an archive is a matter of personal opinion. For sure, it's unlikely that anyone associated with their original creation will ever know about it, let alone actually care.

JaX
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Offline JaXanim

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Re: Where do I get software legally?
« Reply #1 on: March 15, 2007, 02:01:33 AM »
@Tomas
My comments were really directed towards the copying of manuals and such. This is raised by wierdami's link and the resulting comments about saving/archiving them for 'posterity'.

I wanted to extablish that there's no difference from a Copyright perspective, in copying software for 'general' distribution (via an archive for example) and doing the same thing with textual works.

I've noted some people are passionate about the issue of software copying/piracy, yet overlook if not sanction the copying of associated literature.

As far as I'm concerned, if nobody archives anything associated with the classic Amiga, it will be all as dust within five years.

JaX
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Offline JaXanim

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Re: Where do I get software legally?
« Reply #2 on: March 17, 2007, 07:08:12 PM »
@Snaggle
It's true, you got me. I was a bad lad. Way back when, I bought a pirated copy of LightWave and it simply inspired me. Other people wanted it too and I sold it to them. I know LightWave inspired not only me, but any Amigan it touched and that made me feel great. But helping them in that way was bad. That was very bad, I know that now, but it didn't seem that bad at the time. NewTek had left us and it was happening everywhere.

I didn't make as much as you imply, but it all went on LightWave5 despite NewTek leaving Amiga in the lurch. Over the years, I've tried to keep LightWave alive on the Amiga by writing the WaveGuide manual and dedicating my website to it all. That's where I upload weeks of effort, writing Tutorials and rendering stuff, so people like you can download it all for free.  Producing WaveGuide took six months work. Having been such a bad person, maybe dedicating all my spare time to it was a sort of penance, who knows. Over time, a few Amiga enthusiasts bought the manual, so it showed LightWave was still alive in the background and that's what it was all about.

Anyway, all that's history now, but I'd like to thank you for bringing it to everyone's attention. If I hadn't picked up a bootleg copy of LightWave I doubt my Amiga days would ever have lasted two years never mind twenty. That's what I was saying in the thread. However, I'd also like to apologise to anyone reading this thread who has been offended in any way by my behaviour regarding LightWave or my contribution to this or many other discussion.

To you, Snaggle, I also offer my apologies. I apologise for any offence I have caused you, or any issue you have that I am unaware of. In the six posts you've made to AOrg forums, two relate directly to me and my LightWave past. Did I offend you personally in some way? I have obviously stuck in your craw, but I don't know why. I publically admit to past mistakes and I'm sorry. Please tell me what to say to make you feel better. In regard to the current thread, I was saying what I know about Copyright and where fraud plays a part in pirated software. I sold copies of LightWave to people who wanted copies. Nobody was ever conned. They were happy and I was happy. Maybe in a tiny way that helped LightWave to last a few more years. If that's the case I'm pleased.

Today, I don't run LightWave on my Amiga. I've moved on to the pc version which I purchased from NewTek at the full retail price. I still maintain the WaveGuide site so any Amiga LightWavers still around can visit, download stuff, get advice, ideas and maybe some inspiration. I try my best to make up for the past.

Time to let go I think.

JaX
Be inspired! It\\\'s back!