This is a great thread. I find ppc software so much easier to use and buy (unless you go to handango) than desktop software ever was. I hate desktop software that promises to rid your computer of spyware and after you spend 20 minutes waiting for the scan results , you are informed you have to buy it to remove it. Of course if they say this up front, it's a whole different story.
I have had maybe one instance with my axim, where the three day trial ended after 3 minutes. I gave in and bought the product only to have to go round and round with the developer to get it activated. (it was only after I threatened to post on every forum I could, about the poor service, that the issue was finally resolved.) Yes I know it would have been easier to eat the ten bucks, but it was a matter of principle with me.
On the whole though handheld software developers have gone over and above the call of duty, so to "stiff" them is unconscionable. These developers seem to be the best that I have encountered. The support you get is astonding, even from freeware dev.
My biggest disapointment is finding a bit of software and going to the developer's site for more skins or information only to find the site is gone. How many of these do we lose to this kind of theft. We rarely hear about this, but oh do we hear about it from Microsoft and other big guns. I chuckle when I hear Gates complaining about piracy and then see a "new version" look just like apple etc. I'm sure it goes both ways ( I don't want to start an apple vs mac debate)
So three cheers for the mobile software guys, we appreciate you.
Tiggerr
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Tiggerr
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We don't stop playing because we get old
We get old because we stop playing
I feel the need to preface this with "I don't condone piracy".
While the majority of end users "stealing" Windows Mobile software is I imagine driven by having a certain moral flexibility, there are other drivers.
I for one absolutely resent shelling out for a PDA only to have to then go and purchase a whole bunch of software to make the thing functional.
I imagine that there are other people who feel the same resentment, and then go on to obtain software illegally to fill the void created by the Windows mobile platform simply failing to meet expectations out of the box. The moral impact of downloading cracked software would be lessened to some degree for these people, through feeling that they have been ripped off themselves.
Asking themselves: "Why is this a multi processing platform and yet there is no sensible task management?". "Why is the today screen useless?". "Why can I not CLOSE an application?". etc etc etc
The initial crappiness of the Windows mobile platform has encouraged an industry of excellent third party applications that turn it from being a paperweight into something truly useful. However, the onus is on the customer, who has already paid for it, to research the options and find the best way to do this.
Of course little can be done about this now, and it would certainly not help any of the third party app vendors if MS started producing a mobile platform that was worth a damn as a productivity tool, and who knows what kind of anti-trust events would occur if they did.
But my point is there... resentment can also drive this kind of behaviour, and there are those who would rationalise ripping someone off as being a direct result of being ripped off themselves in the first place. This does not make it right - hence the use of the word "rationalise".
koan - devils advocate
I don't buy any of this argument. There is so much free, good pocket pc software out there, this is no justification for why people steal software. And why should independent developers be penalized by this attitude? Those developers have nothing to do with how great or how poor the installed applications are on a pocket pc? By the way, when you buy a computer, you have to buy software, don't you? And computer software costs a whole heck of a bunch more than pocket pc software.
People that can afford to buy a pocket pc and then go out and steal the inexpensive pocket pc software are just opportunists with no ethics. There is no valid reason or justification for this behavior.
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I think there's not much need to discuss Alex' statement. We know it's sad but true, and one can't do much about those who don't even want to pay 10 bucks for a tool they use every single day...
However, I wonder how it comes the download rates on a Warez site are that much higher than on his site. Aren't PPC leechers able to look for what they need in forums like this? Do some people just d/l everything, no matter for which use and platform? Do they think "Pocket Informant" informs them about XXX rated content of what's behind those pockets? ;)
I just don't believe this... If someone has the green to spend on a 300US$ device, it's unbelievable he(she) couldn't afford to pay 10 bucks for a license of a well written piece of software.
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Palm Vx
Tungsten|E
Axim X30H (October 29th 2004)
Full PPC user right now,I love my Axim :love:
Yes, the real problem is the integrity of people. It's not Micorosoft charging too much, it's not software that doesn't work perfectly and it's not the RIAA and their issues. The problem is that too many people are not honest when it's only themselves (and God) to be accountable to. Stealing is wrong no matter who you steal from, no matter what the cost of the item, no matter what you think of the company. :approve:
Paul
Amen! dishonesty is dishonesty, regardless of the context.
Alex Kac's Pocket Informant has been a big hit for many years in the Pocket PC market and WebIS is like family to Aximsite and Mobilitysite.
I absolutely agree, Chris. Software "consumers at large" simply do not "get it". Creating software COSTS MONEY. It's amazing how two-sided this industry is. On one side we've got creative people who just want to make a living doing something they like to do (write software) - on the other side we have a BUNCH of people that feel that software should be FREE. Sometimes it amazes me that this industry can even exist.
I think its right for people to buy from people who try to make a living off there software that they created them selfs but for microsoft to rip off everyone with Vista being £120 and more for the top editions it just makes me think well why should i work to buy software that is way overpriced and then to not have a guarantee that it will work correctly and efficiently without problems. Microsoft make something like $500 an hour the last i heard but its bound to be alot more than that, So why do they overprice Vista i will not buy Vista untill it is less than £60 and it probably wont even be priced at that so i will not buy it. When you use software that is created by a small company or one person it is pure robbery to download it illegally.
If you knew how much Microsoft had invested in the development of Vista I think you would take a different position. $400 is not an excessive price (for the Ultimate version I think) for an operating system that is as capable as Vista is. The software is not overpriced.
It absolutely amazes me at what people consider to be "overpriced". I see people laying out thousands for "spinners" for their cars - or upwards of $500 for a new set of tires that might last 3 years or $250 for a seat at a stupid stock-car race but ask them to spend $250 on a piece of work that cost BILLIONS to develop and can do practically anything - and the complaints come out of the woodwork.
Being actively involved in the software development process I have a great sympathy for Alex.
I wonder if WEBIS enjoyed increase in sales after posting this open letter? Or is moral satisfaction from answers to this thread the only reconciliation?
If the "pirate" statistics are right then there is a large number of perhaps even Aximsite users that use PI and have never paid for it.
I think they should come out and give their reasons for not spending $10 on this great piece of software. And we should resist witch hunt temptation- perhaps there is a message that is not coming across?
This thread is a great morale booster but hardly balanced so let us see what the other side has to say and will they have the courage to come out?
BTW: The only thing that I can do is to recommend this software to my clients and I have got 2 interested so hopefully this will pay for a light lunch ;-)
most of the softwarez I installed run only as try out maximum 3 times, I could have organise my schedule faster on a diary. But when I install software I like it as full version. I don not earned +50K or run company. The software I install mainly as hobby(no value as to improve my life). I understand programmer need to earned money to lived so why dont you creat a webpage with link to advertising so you can get some income from people like me (I will click as mamy time I could to support you). And also I will recommence any software that is useful to make money to my company when time come. Games are for fun & OS is a must have to run games. Applications are there to help you to make money and if I dont make any money from your software why should I pay. When I try your software if is useful to make money I tell my employer to buy it(you should pay me for advertise your software ..lol). MS should buy out good software and include them in the OS.
I feel the need to preface this with "I don't condone piracy".
Good idea!
Originally Posted by koan
I for one absolutely resent shelling out for a PDA only to have to then go and purchase a whole bunch of software to make the thing functional.
Just because you buy a TV doesn't mean you get free cable/satellite/HBO. These are extras that you have to pay for...
Or if that analogy doesn't work for you, then imagine your Desktop PC in place of the PocketPC. The Desktop does not come with a built-in Personal Information Manager, just an e-mail client. No task lists, No calendar, etc. So according to your own logic, people should be equally unhappy that their desktop doesn't support these functions "out of the box".
Originally Posted by koan
Asking themselves: "Why is this a multi processing platform and yet there is no sensible task management?". "Why is the today screen useless?". "Why can I not CLOSE an application?". etc etc etc
Let's answer each of these questions one at a time, ok?
If more than two programs are running, it's a multi processing platform. Looking at my PDA, it's got the following software running right now:
1.) Wisbar Advance 3 Beta-3
2.) SBSH PocketBreeze
3.) SBSH ContactBreeze
4.) SBSH PocketWeather
5.) SOTI's PocketController client
6.) Microsoft ActiveSync
7.) SpriteSoftware's Sprite Backup client
8.) Microsoft's BlueTooth Manager
9.) Wireless Manager
etc, etc, so it seems like Multi-Processing is a fair descriptor...
The Today screen is very useful, but is dependant on the user spending *some* time tweaking it to suit their personal tastes. The PocketPC that reads your mind and automatically installs the proper software according to your own personal likes has yet to be invented.
You are allowed to shut down any program you chose by going to Settings > System > Memory > Running Programs. Select the program you wish to shutdown, and press "Stop". Alternately, using Wisbar Advance 2+ provides you with the option of automatically shutting programs down when you are done with them. I have this particular option enabled myself...
Originally Posted by koan
The initial crappiness of the Windows mobile platform has encouraged an industry of excellent third party applications that turn it from being a paperweight into something truly useful. However, the onus is on the customer, who has already paid for it, to research the options and find the best way to do this.
That's the entire reason for the PocketPC. Innovation is the cornerstone of the PocketPC world. And if you don't like the onus of finding out what works best for you, you are always free to have Cronk the caveman make these decisions for you.
Originally Posted by koan
Of course little can be done about this now, and it would certainly not help any of the third party app vendors if MS started producing a mobile platform that was worth a damn as a productivity tool, and who knows what kind of anti-trust events would occur if they did.
Certainly a lot of 3rd party companies would be hurt by such a move. I doubt MS would get all of the business, because most Mobile users wouldn't trust them to make everything they consume.
Originally Posted by koan
But my point is there... resentment can also drive this kind of behaviour, and there are those who would rationalise ripping someone off as being a direct result of being ripped off themselves in the first place. This does not make it right - hence the use of the word "rationalise".
Anyone who maintains this mindset is free to contact me. I will be happy to wave my magic wand and have everyone in their local neighborhood strip their car for parts, steal their cable/Satellite service, garnish their wages for no reason, etc. The justification for this is because everyone else in the neighborhood resents the pirates for what they do. That would be fair, right?
I sincerely apologize if this post sounds overly sarcastic (sour-caustic?), but this kind of mentality really cannot be defended, and I'm very passionate about that fact...
Oh yea my eagle eye caught the title of this thread, and well I just had to reply to it,
I was offered a copy of IG3 via a member here, and I was kinda given the brush off about it, when I raised cane about it I was very disoppointed by the responses got about , heck some of the threads i posted reflect the very same issues in the first post of this topic ..
to me the member should have been banned, period..
instead I was dinged on my I trader rating and when I ask for it to be removed, All I got was the blow off. so know I see this thread and lot of users agreeing with it, (which is a goood thing) but it was not so clear before, lots of users on the fence post then. but I still stand behind my statement that I made before. Pirating software is theft
Now I will ask again, can the negitive I-trader rating be removed that I received from connersdad that he gave me when I reported him for trying to sell me a pirated copied version of IG3. and him given one for tryng to sell pirated software .
Yea I am a bit peeved about this still, but I want it made right.
I love my Axim and those that take the time to give us great software to make it work like we want it , they deserve to get their money for each and every copy sold. and the website owners also deserve their fair share that give us a place to go to and find out about new software that is being offered.
I think that best way to combat this is to make your software a butt to activate. Having some sort of an activation server that ties you down to a device PID or something is the only way to curb piracy. While Open Letters will certainly tug at the heartstrings of the noble, they do nothing for those who would pirate in the first place.
Here we go again. :rolling: Another piracy thread.
I admit to downloading pirated software in cases where a trial version isn't offered. I guess the most recent is when I was looking for GPS software. I tried three or four different ones out AND BOUGHT the one I liked the best. I have very little software on my PDA but everything I've tried out and kept has been paid for.
I also download stuff to try out on my PCs too. I consider it borrowing since if it is garbage, I uninstall it. I "tried out" Vista on one of my new machines and found that it was lacking and went out and purchased a copy of XP instead.
Another case I point to is anti-virus software. I myself haven't had a virus since 2004, but I have A LOT of stupid relatives and friends who get them. I've used pirated software in some cases to see if it works or to do a one-time cleaning of an infected machine. Again. Of the stuff I tried out, I purchased the ones that did the job since I am tired of paying for crap that doesn't work.
The same goes for games too. I get pirated versions to try for a short time and buy the ones I like. Most of the game cracks out are registration-based, so I can just buy a real registration number without having to uninstall anything. The Steam system works for me since I can try stuff out then pay for the code later on.
I guess my take on it is why should I blindly reward someone without being able to test drive the software first. I reward when I find something useful and also make voluntary donations to developers who do open-source.
Developers bitching about piracy is getting on my nerves as well. This is the profession they chose knowing that some people are going to use it for free and this should be factored into the business model. I'm fairly good at programming but didn't get into any closed-source development for that very reason -- I factored in piracy and decided I could do better in another field.
I don't wish to make a pariah of myself, but I admit that I use pirate or cracked software on a regular basis, I do however also buy software.
Every now and then I check my PDA and if there is any software on it that I use that I have not yet purchased and have no issues with, I purchase it. If there is software I don't use (for whatever reason), I remove it.
Why do I do this? Many of us know the compatibility issues that some applications have with some devices, or indeed with other applications. These problems can take time to raise their ugly heads. If they do - something generally gets un-installed and ultimately I have paid for something which I can not use.
Although many applications from reputable companies come with a 14 day trial, in my mind this is not long enough to fully evaluate a product on a live system which may have many other products also installed on it. I think being able to extend a trial period (which perhaps may require registration?) would help. Adding activations etc probably won't - someone will always find a way around it if the demand is great enough, just look at Microsoft activation and the resources and money they put into it - 30 seconds on Google will get you around that now.
That being said, at this point in time all the applications on my PDA are legitimate.
These reasons don't make it right, but I though I should share.
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