<< Yoda there is no justification for stealing it is just easier and cheaper than making a moral choice.
My problem isn't that stealing is justified. It's that you can't quite seem to find a way to comprehend that not everyone has your moral values and your sense of obligation. Instead, you feel justified to belittle people because of it.
<< Like I said before if the job does not provide or pay you enough for you to legally obtain the tools required than you are a moron for taking that job. If you can't earn enough as a freelancer you made a poor career choice no crying about it. >>
Yeah, in an ideal world where businesses all have limitless funds and no spending inhibitions, everyone would be supplied with all the tools they need in any manner they wish. But the truth of it, you won't see anyone say "gee boss, I can't take the job cuz I've used/I have pirated software to help me along." Heck, do you think there aren't upper management departments that don't consider giving out pirated copies of the newest and greatest software to their employees to avoid paying licensing fees?
<< Again POOR judgement on your part does not allow you to BREAK THE LAW! Yes perhaps you can't take a technoligically based major, sorry again but not everyone is entitled to get a EE or Graphics arts degree. I did not attend college and while I may never be a millionare I did get an education, joined the navy, I HAVE BEEN hungry wondering where my next meal would come from. I once ate 2 meals over the course of a week due to lack of money. Perhaps I should have gotten into dealing drugs another so called vicimless crime would that have been approprate? Of course not. WRONG IS WRONG I knew it then and I know it today. >>
No one is entitled to their degree or education. There isn't some guy who sits on the street corner and hands you your bachelor's or master's. An education or degree isn't an inheritance you get by default. Every college student works for their degree. I attend college and pay for college on my own working several jobs. Am I entitled to my degree? You better believe I am, because I worked hard at it relentlessly in high school. I pay for it even now with my health and welfare. But regardless of what I choose as my major, it isn't decided by what I can afford or what my morals entitle me to. I didn't sit with my advisor and ask "what majors can I afford?" or "What major will my morals let me take?". As a result of my actions, I've become very proud of my accomplishments, as meager as they are, of my major, and all the learning it that came with it, and of the experiences I took away from making the choices I did. The last word that comes to mind when I consider my field is POOR. I know what is wrong and what is right...but I've also known for quite some time that THE WORLD IS NOT FAIR. The good guy doesn't always win. Morality doesn't always win against immorality, people are not always helpful and nice, and things are not handed to you...you have to bite and kick and scratch and spit sometimes to get somewhere.
<< Accually you totally missed the point here, yes using dial up to download MP3's is a major bummer. my point was that YOU DO NOT NEED TO DOWNLOAD MP3's. Using this to say you NEED broadband is as absurd as selling drugs because you NEED a Lexus! >>
You're missing the point again. If something simple like downloading mp3s is a large time investment, then a professional or business oriented usage of the internet is unfeasible and something else is required...like another line to free up the main, or broadband to cut the amount of time needed to perform tasks. Going by your logic, it's like saying "I'm gonna dig out this building's foundation with my fingers instead of using a shovel because I can dig small holes with my fingers".
<< Yes They can't. How much does office Basic cost at the college bookstore? Not much and why do they need Office XP? You can allways find a used copy of 97 or 2000 for a fraction of what XP costs. >>
because officeXP is easy to find on warez channels because it's the newest and shinest thing out there now.
<< Yes they could relize that they can't afford school, and go get a job or they could cut back on classes and get a JOB. Yes it can be tough to juggle all those thing BUT again using YOUR LOGIC (if you really want to call it that) it's ok to steal if it helps them get where they want. >>
Do you always give up so easily? they could abandon the position they've worked to get to(It's too hard, I can't do it, let's give up), or they can find another way. They have chosen the latter, if this is something you cannot, in good conscience, condone, fine. It still doesn't mean you can look down on these people for making a situation a litle more tenable.
<< Yes they should, Hey I really wanted a NEW truck when I bought my 97 earlier this year, BUT it was about $100 a month difference, we looked at the buget and well I could have cut off the cable, Not gotten my direct TV, killed the broadband and ate mac and cheese every night. Or I could have perhaps taken a parttime job that would have not allowed me to spend time with my wife and son. I decided that I really didn't need a new truck, it's called a CHOICE we all have to make them some of them tough. And as far someone who "needs a copy of Photoshop to design some slick new logo to dremel into the side of his case. " Paint? Photoshop lite? paper and Pencil? again you replace want with need in an attempt to jusitfy your arguement. >>
fine, replace "needs" witih "wants". It still doesn't change the fact that most people won't think twice about taking that cdr.
<< At my job I get paid for the work I do no more no less. If there isn't any work I DON'T get paid. I support my wife and child, pay a morgage and make choices every day on how to spend my little bit of money that I have left after paying for food, diapers, phone, power, insurance, and the like. Somehow I make it work and am able to afford a few nice thing (like my DSL) or occasionally a new computer. My Wife works a few hours a week at the local Walmart to pay for her toys and we GET buy. I would like to upgrade to XP and was offered a COrp Edition DIsk. I said "No thanks, I'll wait until I can AFFORD it." >>
My point exactly. You take what extra money you mustered and go about analyzing your options on what YOU can buy. When you buy a toy at walmart, are you considering how much work went into making it or the conditions of the person who designed it? No. You look at the price tag, and compare how much you'd be willing to pay for it and the tag. If that tag price is equal to or less than what you're willing to take out of the money you have left, you'll prolly buy it or consider buying it later. You made a choice that you believed was right. But what you believe to be right, doesn't necessarily make it so.
<< No I don't I typically pay what the retailer is asking for it. If I think it is a good deal and I want it they get my money. And it costs to much I pass. I don't say Oh that way to much I'm just gonna take it. It's call cost benifit analysis you should look it up. >>
Mayhaps you should re-read my post before you comment. Most people follow this pattern of shopping. They ask themselves, is this a good deal? If it is, then it can be bought. If the cost is too high, then it gets passed. I'm asking, do you do the opposite? Do you ever stop yourself and say, "Golly, this was just too good I deal. The person deserves more. Let's go back and give the cashier more money.
<< What you fail to grasp is my main point
I will now put it in bold so that you can see it clearly.
Unless you have permission from the Author, like you pay him, be it a company or individual, you have no right to use the software regardless of you current econmic state. >>
And it appears you fail to grasp mine. I won't be so disrespectful as to make it stand out. I'll assume you can read it just fine as it is.
Regardless of your thoughts on the subject of piracy, you don't have the right to belittle those who choose not to think as you do. Regardless of the legality of the issue, at no point are you ENTITLED to snob your nose up at people who don't share your moral values. You said it yourself life is about choice and sacrifice, yet you don't seem to respect this at all. Life is about choice and sacrifice. Piraters have made the choice to obtain software illegally and have sacrificed the security that comes in knowing that there is no risk involved in owning it. If things were to go your way, however, you would deny them this choice. U can't even live by your own words yet you expect others to. U voice your disgust at piracy, yet you are the one condemning anyone. No one is cramming warez down your throat. No one is calling you a fool for paying for your software when another choice exists. No one depicting you as worthless and small. We all make our own choices in life. I choose to use my job as a means of getting software, knowing full well there are plenty of places legal and illegal I can get the software from, and I can live with it. Others pirate, knowing full well that their actions are not condoned and that there are other ways to get the software, and they live with it. You have chosen to purchase your software knowing full well you could pirate it and that there are many piraters there in the market, but seem to have this need to bash on people who make other choices.