Why was this thread locked?

[CZroe]

Why was THIS thread locked?

I think it's pretty obvious that I own the software and therefore have the legal right to a backup in case that was a concern

 

[Angrymarshmello]

The forum is General Hardware.

 

[CZroe]

And a missing part IS hardware

That's explained in the post. The software forum is for software discussion ("Let's talk about UT2K3") and software problems ("UT2K3 crashes on my PC!"), neither of which relates to my problem.

Usually, the mods leave a comment, especially if their reason directly conflict with my claim of what forum it belongs in but I didn't get one...

 

[ddwbi0]

i think its locked cuz ONE, your question had been answered, and TWO the discussion was leading towards copying games, warez, etc

 

[Angrymarshmello]

A CD isn't computer hardware - it's software. When is the last time you saw games and applications in the computer hardware section of your favorite store/online site?

 

[John]

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
A CD isn't computer hardware - it's software. When is the last time you saw games and applications in the computer hardware section of your favorite store/online site?

I agree 100%.

 

[CZroe]

i think its locked cuz ONE, your question had been answered, and TWO the discussion was leading towards copying games, warez, etc

One: Do mods usually lock threads when they are answered?

Two: There is NOTHING illegal about backing up software you own. BUYING software is the EXACT opposite of warez, so I don't see how the conversation was related at all! "No CD cracks" are once again, a consumer's right (unless the license agreement prohibits it, and I haven't read UT2K3's so I didn't comment on that). I think it's pretty obvious that I own the software, considering the problem I was seeking help for. People are to touchy on this subject and I am about $700 poorer because of it (A folder full of 100-150 software titles was stolen from me, mostly copy/backup protected titles).

A CD isn't computer hardware - it's software. When is the last time you saw games and applications in the computer hardware section of your favorite store/online site?

That's because "the game" is not "the CD!" The game is the software ON the CD. If I was having a problem with "the game" it would have been in the software forum.

If I was talking about missing blank CD-Rs in a package I'm sure you'd agree with me.

CD-Recorders are hardware. CD-Rs and all other recordable media are hardware. Firmware is only called firmware if it contains software, otherwise it's a blank chip. Am I wrong?

Not that I'm defending the post, I just want to know the real reason it was locked. Answered and therefore locked? Software-related, therefore locked? Piracy related, therefore locked? I just thought I could get a definite answer.

 

[Angrymarshmello]

Ok I can see what you mean by it now, however I stand by my definition of the term hardware, just as you stand by yours.

Now on the subject of why, the mods frequently lock threads that in their standards can degrade into something illegal or bad. ie:

Oh, and I would never buy copied software! Though I do have a drive capable of copying SafeDisc2 protected games and Daemon-Tools can run any SafeDisc2 protected game no matter what drive copied it

That seems to imply that you frequently run copied games, wether or not you actually own the "copies"

UT2003 uses cd checks too so you cant copy it yet.

http://awpost.com/games/pc_unreal_tournament_2003.shtml

CD checks/cracks seem to imply people want to copy it to warez it, with those intentions or not

no cd cracks work, and if you use the same key on more than one machine, they can play together, not that i would know that


yes i bought my copy

Installing and running the same software off one cd is illegal, as is:

I just copied 3 UT2k3 @ my friends house and they work fine ;D

There are plenty of legitimate threads that degrade into discussions of illegal topics and people bragging about how they warezed their friends' copy. You can thank the people in your thread for getting it locked.

 

[CZroe]

That seems to imply that you frequently run copied games, wether or not you actually own the "copies"

From my perspective, it "seems to imply" that I learned my lesson and will be using these tools for what they are meant to be used for. Too bad I didn't mention the stolen CD case in the thread, but it happend so long ago I had to stop talking about it at some point. Besides, no one should ever assume that I'm doing anything other than exercising my "right to a backup." This assumption is what has led to the copy-protections that steal my freedom and money!

CD checks/cracks seem to imply people want to copy it to warez it, with those intentions or not

Really? I thought ALL legitimate software owners hated scratching their CDs? Most serious users get No CD cracks for games that install fully on the HDD but only use the CD for validation. Either that or they run a CD image through Daemon-Tools (Which is a waste of HDD space).

Installing and running the same software off one cd is illegal,

Actually, id Software encourages "spanning" for LAN games. You never had to buy two copies of Super Mario Bros to play it in 2-player mode... Unreal Tournament also allows spanning, so it wouldn't surprise me if the behaviour he describes is by design, not illegal. Many games include a span version on the disc that will run without the CD but will only allow multiplayer and only if the server has the CD. Diablo, Need for Speed 3, etc...

And the guy that copied UT2K3 at his friend's house never said he wasn't just using his friend's SafeDisc2 compatible drive to backup his own retail copy! I ROUTINELY did that even before playing a game until my friend just gave me the drive I would put up the original and NEVER use it, not even for the initial installation. I'm not saying that this is "probably" what he did, I'm just saying that assumptions like that are wrong to infer.

There are plenty of legitimate threads that degrade into discussions of illegal topics and people bragging about how they warezed their friends' copy. You can thank the people in your thread for getting it locked.

You're right, but I just showed that illegal practices were ASSUMED, when no statement ever condoned or even hinted at anything illegal (Well, one guy did "wink" ).

 

[Lucky]

you make good points but considering your question was answered and the thread was going off topic into grey areas, I dont think this is the best example to complain about.

 

[CZroe]

Yeah, I'm not really complaining though because I don't know why they really locked it! (I'm just curious)
I just decided to answer the people who pointed these things out (I would point out the same things too if someone asked me the same question! )