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An open letter to hobbyists by Bill Gates (1976)

cryptnet.net

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Re: An open letter to hobbyists by Bill Gates (1976)

#3

Post by bushido »

From the letter:

*> Why is this? As the majority of hobbyists must be aware, most of you steal your software. Hardware must be paid for, but software is something to share."

I'll have to dig around but I recall reading a few articles about 60%+ windows OS being pirated, this number is much lower in US and other developed markets, but is as high as 93% in some[0].

[0] http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/cri_sof_pir_rat-crime-soft...

edit: site seems to be unavailable. Link @ archive.org:

https://web.archive.org/web/20100316174220/http://www.cryptn...

Re: An open letter to hobbyists by Bill Gates (1976)

#5

Post by bqpro1 »

bushido wrote: post #3

From the letter: *> Why is this? As the majority of hobbyists must be aware, most of you steal your software. Hardware must be paid for, but software is something to share." I'll have to dig around but I recall reading a few articles about 60%+ windows OS being pirated, this number is much lower in US and other developed markets, but is as high as 93% in some[0]. [0] http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/cri_sof_pir_rat-…

But it is not about windows OS. In 1976 there were no windows OS. It's about this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altair_BASIC

Re: An open letter to hobbyists by Bill Gates (1976)

#6

Post by bushido »

bqpro1 wrote: post #5
bushido wrote: post #3

From the letter: *> Why is this? As the majority of hobbyists must be aware, most of you steal your software. Hardware must be paid for, but software is something to share." I'll have to dig around but I recall reading a few articles about 60%+ windows OS being pirated, this number is much lower in US and other developed markets, but is as high as 93% in some[0]. [0] http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/cri_sof_pir_rat-…

But it is not about windows OS. In 1976 there were no windows OS. It's about this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altair_BASIC

I know.

Was just stating the problem that plagued them in 1976 is still persistent today.

Though on re-reading my previous comment I can see that I was not clear on that.

Re: An open letter to hobbyists by Bill Gates (1976)

#8

Post by kps »

bushido wrote: post #3

From the letter: *> Why is this? As the majority of hobbyists must be aware, most of you steal your software. Hardware must be paid for, but software is something to share." I'll have to dig around but I recall reading a few articles about 60%+ windows OS being pirated, this number is much lower in US and other developed markets, but is as high as 93% in some[0]. [0] http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/cri_sof_pir_rat-…

“Hardware must be paid for”, but if you're lucky, the government pays for it and you can ‘borrow’ it when no one's looking.

Re: An open letter to hobbyists by Bill Gates (1976)

#10

Post by pcunite »

My software title "FileSearchEX" is so pirated that I can no longer continue to work on it full time. Indeed, search engines show more "free crack here" links than legitimate ones. Imagine going to the supermarket and having "free" eggs next to the $5 carton ... which would you choose? I know what 90% of them go with.
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