Only two-thirds of Chinese steal software now

This whole idea of stealing software is crazy. Sure, you can convince people that illegally downloading files is immoral, but that doesn't make it true. Let's think about this for a moment.

Your friend has a file you want, you log onto your computer and download it to your hard drive. You didn't pay for it, so you stole it, right? Only problem is that your friend still has a pristine copy of the file on his computer. All he's done is left the thing powered on so that you could get the file.

What if you could throw a bunch of metal and rubber into a box, connect it to another box with a car you like inside, power the boxes for a week or so, then open it up and you'd own a new car? Would you still sit back and let the car people tell you you owe them thousands of dollars for the damn thing? I think not.

People have the right to earn a living. People do not have the right to force people to stick to their business model so they can keep the same job and standard of living.

If people want to debate copyright law, that's fine. I will continue to get my stuff for free and poopoo this crap that's going on in the world.

Remember the dietary laws in the Old Testament about what you could and couldn't eat? Now that we have health departments and refrigerators, those laws are no longer necessary. Guess how many Jews still follow those laws. If they tried to force you to play ball, you wouldn't be able to get away from them fast enough, would you? You'd go eat your ham sandwich without a bit of guilt, because health was the concern of the writer. Something which isn't as much of an issue anymore.

Times change, laws change, cultures change. You're either going forward or backward, standing still is not an option.

I agree that software shouldn't come with a price tag, however, try free and open source software (FOSS).

I have one gaming rig with a legal install of XP Pro SP2c; two desktops (with roughly similar specs) both running Ubuntu 8.04 LTS and very well at that and a 6-7 year old laptop currently running an "Internet Edition" of XP Pro SP2... this last one doesn't sit very comfortably with me anymore and this laptop will be getting the same version of Ubuntu in about 8-10 days when I have time.

The abundance of high quality FOSS has not only eliminated my software costs (bar that one copy of XP) but made these machines legal. It feels really satisfying to send M$ a three-fingered-salute and legally not have to pay for stuff...

Jason, I fail to see how you don't get the concept of a software license! Unless you're only a gamer, try an Ubuntu LiveCD (make time allowances for booting from CD), you'll not be disappointed - I'm hooked.

I was very doubtful at first, but having given a large number of GNU/Linux systems a try, Ubuntu really is the best.

I've just ordered parts for a self-build for my dad (think of it as a fathers' day present!). It's hardware is geared towards running said orangy/brown operating system... he's another one fed up with Windows and likes using the other Ubuntu desktops I built.

I you really need XP, just stick it in a VM...