[POLL] - What if software piracy didn't exist?

[Armitage]

I don't pirate software now so it wouldn't matter.

 

[jjones]

Sell my computer.

 

[bandana163]

Originally posted by: brunswickite
buy the important stuff (Windows), and use free software for the rest (all utilities)

That's what I'm doing as well.

 

[Kyteland]

Originally posted by: SampSon
It's cute how you can get deals on software if you're a student, but you pay full rapeme price if you're not a student.

There's a good reason they do that. (good for them anyway ) As a poor student they know there's a decent chance you're going to pirate it anyway if they are asking rapeme prices, so it's not going to hurt them too much to make these reduced price deals. Also, college is when you learn the sofware that you'll use for the rest of your career (not always true), so if they give it away cheap now, they can force rapeme prices on you later in life when you *have* to have it.

 

[Electric Amish]

All the big software stuff I have is all legal. OS, Office, games, etc.

It helps having friends that work at MS and can get me XP Pro for $35 and Office for $45.

 

[jlee]

Originally posted by: brunswickite
buy the important stuff (Windows), and use free software for the rest (all utilities)

Bingo.

I voted buy expensive stuff, though..as a student, I can find decent deals on software.

 

[imported_smilingcrow]

Originally posted by: jumpr

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
The cheapest I've heard about is one school that had a deal where if you wanted the latest MS software, you just walk upto the bookstore's counter, grab one off of a tall spindle, and walk out with it.

How do they know if you're affiliated with the University or not?

I used to live in England and fly to Athens, Ohio to study privately and eventually to work. Athens is a college town and I noticed that the mainstreet had a store which sold software at student rates. I bought software there on quite a number of occassions, and was only once asked which department I was in. I told them something off the top of my head, which was written in a book, but I never had to show ID.

Prices weren't exactly in the $5 - $50 range that have been mentioned here, but they were still only about 20% of the UK full price. I bought a copy of Windows NT 3.51 Workstation, just before they released version 4, so was elligible for a free upgrade. MS UK sent me a full copy of NT4 Server rather than an upgrade for workstation. I almost felt guilty

As for the original question. I'll let you know when it happens, as I find it hard to predict what I'd do in hypothetical situations. I pay for shareware that I use a lot, otherwise I'm a bit hesitant.

 

[Kelemvor]

Originally posted by: jumpr

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
The cheapest I've heard about is one school that had a deal where if you wanted the latest MS software, you just walk upto the bookstore's counter, grab one off of a tall spindle, and walk out with it.

How do they know if you're affiliated with the University or not?

Who cares how they know, what school is this? I might need to make a road trip...

 

[So]

Your poll implies that free software is not 'the good stuff' My installation of firefox would beg to differ.

 

[DrPizza]

I have ZERO pirated software installed on my computer (at the moment - since as far as I'm aware I can no longer buy some types of dvd ripping software, I'm left with few alternatives)

All mine is either licensed or freeware.


Lets not get into pirated songs though

 

[eigen]

Nothing would change.Look at my av.

 

[Abhi]

I would have been poorer...

 

[clicknext]

Originally posted by: JoPh
computers would stink. id have to play more sports then.

 

[Squisher]

Originally posted by: Abhi
I would have been poorer...

 

[nageov3t]

#1 + #3

I'd buy the important things (operating systems), and I'd use free software for things like word processing.

Come to think of it, the only pirated software I have it Photoshop (which I only use once in a blue moon and could easily live without) and dvd/cd burning software (which I don't really like anyways, and have been considering buying legit replacement software)

 

[crumpet19]

Start stealing babies?

 

[imported_KirbsAw]

With no piracy the cost of stuff would probably be cheaper.

 

[Cawchy87]

if i shell out that kind of money for hardware, i don't want to pay just as much for stuff to use on it. I would use all free. Or i would import stuff from hong kong or something.

 

[Wag]

I wouldn't be reading this thread, that's for sure...

 

[nineball9]

All my software is legit.

 

[Shawn]

I'd probably be using Windows 98.

 

[Xionide]

I would create software pirating.

-Xionide

 

[Aves]

Originally posted by: minendo
There are schools that provide certain titles for free. Sure it is nice, but so is $5 software.

My school offers all MS products for free if you're a CS student.

If you're not then Windows XP is $5 and Office 2003 is $10.

 

[jagec]

I would buy the stuff I could get killer deals on (student discounts, etc), then use free software for the rest.

As for music, well....I just wouldn't listen to much music, that's for sure.

 

[Fenixgoon]

i'd demand more game demos so i don't waste $$ gettting bad games like Unreal 2. Saved myself some $$ by downloading it and finding that it sucked.