Answer Truthfully Now...

[LoadWB]

DVDFab is using the ffmpeg library without proper compliance with the ffmpeg license.

Issue 382: DVDFab Decrypter Platinum fails to provide source and licensing information - FFmpeg issue tracker
https://roundup.ffmpeg.org/issue382

I have had multiple copies of Miami running -- I owned a single key, but was unable to purchase new keys.  Recently I picked up a machine with MiamiDX on it and use it now, instead, on my 4000D.  I have Miami still running on an A500+ and my A1200 but will purchase the new TCP/IP stack when it comes available.  My A2000 and 3000 run Genesis from their OS3.9 CDs -- all of my installations of which are properly licensed. (Do I want a cookie?  No, just fact.)

All of my commercial software installations are legit.  I have a Microsoft Action Pack Subscription as a registered partner, so I have 10 copies of each OS, Office, server installations, and a lot of other software.  I do my best to maintain proper licensing, but Microsoft does not make it easy (you can get four different answers from four of its own licensing people.)

As for WinZip, why not use 7-Zip?

And I absolutely refuse to accept the notion that past transgressions make present or future admonitions invalid.  I pirated the shit out of Commodore 64 software because I was a kid and really had no concept of what copyright protection was about (irrespective of "Don't Copy That Floppy.")  I attended a lot of "swap parties" and came home with some really great stuff, and at one time in my life I had access to a network which allowed me to "call out" of nodes in other countries, Germany in particular, to access BBSs for even more goodies.

When I bought my first Amiga in 1992 it came with a collection of pirated games, of which the ones I played and wanted to keep I was able to buy at some point as by this time I had better knowledge and understanding.  I even irritated some of my PC compatriots for berating them for pirating games just because "they're too expensive."

Did I do wrong?  Absolutely.  Have I learned?  Most definitely.  Do I still have a moral ground upon which to stand?  Well, I guess that depends upon someone's own morals.  In a way, by finding an obedience to the law I have "found Jesus."  

So I suppose someone else's morals may be more concrete and strict, or perhaps relativistic.  I cannot repay my youthful transgressions monetarily to those against whom I have trespassed, but I can pay my debt to society by ensuring that my knowledge and understanding of those actions are passed on.

[LoadWB]

The most humorous part about the comparison is that it's meant to scare or guilt people into not copying software; however, the punishment for copying software is several orders of magnitude worse than the punishment for shoplifting. If you want a "free" game, your best bet is to shoplift. Worst case, you'll pay a small fine and have a misdemeanor on your record. If you copy the game, however, you could end up paying $150,000 per copy, spend a few years in jail, get gang raped, and lose your right to vote.

I could walk into Best Buy, grab a game from the game aisle, batter clerks on my way out the door, and face less punishment than if I were to download a game.  Truly off-balanced, IMHO.

[LoadWB]

Finally...speaking, again, strictly for the PC, there's plenty of free apps out there, so much so that honestly there's no reason to pirate other than to say "Ha ha, I got a free copy".

That is something I get tired of myself.  There seems to be a social esteem in a statement like, I have the entire $1200 Adobe Creative Suite without paying a dime!  As if that is supposed to be impressive.  I find the mentality akin to haggling with a prostitute.  (Oh, God, I hope that does not start up a whole new discussion:roflmao:)  As opposed to to opposite end of the spectrum, using the statement, I use a software suite which cost $1000 to do my work, for esteem bolstering.

[LoadWB]

But I'm just a tiny wee bit sceptical that there are 25 Mother Teresa's out their that don't even have the tiniest little bit of software somewhere on their systems that they have erm... lets say forgotten about, that may indeed be not quite legally owned...

I'm not for one moment doubting your honesty, but lets just say I have never met anyone in real life who can actually claim this...

I suppose that since I no longer use DVD Fab, my last use being well over a year ago, and the systems that are running the over-stretched Miami keys are in the middle of hardware refurbishing which runs like a highway project (you know, has been under construction for as long as we can remember with no real goal in sight,) then I could legitimately claim "no."

Pleased to meet you.

[LoadWB]

What I find interesting in this thread is the apparent contempt for anyone who would purport to not use any pirated (unpaid-for copyrighted) software.  The label of "Mother Teresa" and the claim of a "mundane life" stinks of elitism in the face of a full lack of holier-than-thou from anyone else, which has existed to a large extent in other threads.

While I appreciate Franko for his software contributions to the Amiga community, and I have agreed with some of his positions and comments elsewhere, I find it difficult not to conclude that this thread was an opportunity to exorcise a little butt-hurt over other copyright threads.  The implication appears to be that anyone who claims not to pirate is in actuality a rampant pie-rat who is too ashamed, scared, or otherwise unwilling to admit to the practice.  The poll and ensuing comments have served to shift the balance of morality away from strict adherence to the habitual violation of copyright.  If I am mistaken then I welcome elaboration and offer an apology.

As morals are subjective, the issue will fall into a stalemate as it does in just about every other thread.  In the process, however, I find it unnecessary to sling mud at either side and make accusations of anyone's particular mental states or lifestyle.

Having said all that, I stand firm in my assertions: yes I have used pirated software in the past for reasons which vary from the unavailability of a trial installation to political opposition, no I do not currently use software which knowingly violates copyright or licensing, including upstream violations, such as the infractions of DVDFab or the violations of Microsoft, Oracle, Google, et. al.  With the availability of alternate software and sources for the various platforms I run -- which include Solaris, Windows, Java, Amiga, TI, Commodore, Atari, Sega, Nintendo, amongst others -- it is highly unlikely that I will find it "necessary" to run illegitimate software again in the future.

This does not mean I am better than anyone else, nor do I stand in judgment of others or their lives.  I am simply different than someone who is compelled by whatever motivation to commit acts of piracy.  My opinion on the matter stands firm with the law, no matter how obnoxiously complex or ill-conceived because I believe in a system in which we ourselves have the power to make necessary changes.  I do not believe that while possessing the power to influence legislation to better serve their wont and desire, "large companies"  hold absolute power, which is instead reserved to us, and yet at the same time I do not believe a diametric opposition exists between "us" and "them."  But espousing upon that is a topic for another thread on another day.

[LoadWB]

@LoadWB

Ere, LoadWB is this your youtube video...

http://www.youtube.com/user/LoadWB

No.

Cos some of the disk's in it look decidedly erm... dodgy...

Stipulating truth to your claim, how is it relevant to my points?

[LoadWB]

Well if you say no then the relevance to your points don't apply.

Reckon what I call humor doesn't seem to travel too well across the pond with some folk. Different outlook on life I suppose.

I have read and agree with most of what you have said, but you seem to be taking things I say a wee bit too seriously and personally. I can only apologise here in public to you if think I'm trying to be elitist or holding other folks view in contempt.

I can only say when you read something I have written here try and take it in the sense in which I mean it, which is, always with a touch of humor in it somewhere.

Simple thing is where I live and the people I know almost all talk to each other in this manner. If we didn't understand that we mean no harm by what we say, then the population of Scotland would be most likely zero as we would all have murdered each other by now.

As I say humor can mean different things to different people, reckon where I come from ours is very different humor and outlook on life to yours.

I suppose so.  I have the good fortune of having inherited an appreciation for British humor from my grandmother, who is full-blood Limey, which gives me a little more rounding, I like to think.  I think the difference in this case would be the touchiness of the subject, though we may conjecture for a while on whether it should be so or not.  The only offense I take to a conversation with certain implications is when said conversation may work to negate any comment made in honesty, whether mine or anyone else's, which was my perception.  My apologies are offered in the case the intention was otherwise.  Indeed, this is a heated debate, that of piracy and copyright.

Irrespective on whether we agree with each other on the fundamental subject, it would still be my pleasure to order us up a round, after which we could continue to have spirited debate.

Cheers, and I am off to watch my football (REAL football, not what you blokes call soccer :laughing: which may be another touchy subject, yeah?) team not suck just enough to win.  *sigh*  I am afraid it will be another season like that for us while we attempt to rebuild.

[LoadWB]

Linux isn't always as clean you might think.

Last distro I tried installed without a media player.  It then gave me the option to download one provided it was for "research purposes".

Music and video player codecs are paid for licensed software.  Generally the companies in question don't care about individuals using them but if you're a company expect a letter to turn up from MPEGLA.

Nevertheless, if you have say an MP3 player and didn't pay the fee then you are using unlicensed software.  Better then that, some movie codecs actually require payment *per use*.

I think the difference in that respect is knowingly violating versus incidental violation.  For instance, if you are aware that a codec or player is not licensed, then you are knowingly and deliberately violating licensing.  However, if you purchase or install a program which contains an impropoerly licensed codec, then as the user you should be indemnified by the software vendor.

[LoadWB]

Well, I guess there aren't many Mech Engineers here who are looking to keep their skills up-to-date then. If there are, then how do you personally afford the four-figure license fees for Ansys, AutoCAD, Soldworks, Pro-Engineer etc to keep your skills up-to-date?

I'm nottalking about using them as productivity tools, just in terms of maintaining familiarity and assimilating new features. And please don't tell me that you work within the demo limitations (eg 100 nodes limit for models) - I mean, really!

I am not sure if it is still doing so, but for a while during the start of the recession AutoDesk was offering a 60- or 90-day license for engineers who found themselves without a job.  I believe DataCAD was doing the same, but I cannot speak for the others.  Not sure how much that helps at this point considering how long and drawn out the economic downturn has been or will continue to be.

As well, if while during your down-time you enroll in a local community college or university to take some engineering or architectural classes, AutoDesk offers either reduced or free licensing for students.  I have been back taking a couple of classes a semester under a new program to keep me busy during my slow times.  When all is over, I will be much more marketable than I am now.