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Also these days with ransomware, crypto miners, botnets and other crap like that it's insane to run random *.exe files on your computer. Especially if you also doing stuff like online banking on it. It's simply not worth the risk. And games that I want will be on sale sooner or later anyway.
I have no problem running random executables on my Qubes OS (in a hardware-virtualized, disposable VM).
I'm always reminded of Gabe Newell's quote on piracy[1]: >Piracy is almost always a service problem and not a pricing problem And by in large I still agree with it. For me I've only ever turned to piracy when the legitimate service has become a complete mess of red tape and user frustration. [1] https://www.escapistmagazine.com/valves-gabe-newell-says-pir...
Honest question, what's the difference between a pricing and service problem?
e.g. a lot of times no assortment of streaming subscriptions will get you access to certain shows/films/games. sometimes they may be out of print on disc as well. there may be no actual legal way to access that content. but piratebay is right there...
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> Last week I wanted to watch Harry Potter which I know was on Netflix and/or Prime Video at some point, now it’s not available anywhere. It's on Peacock Premium and HBO Max.
Not available in Europe. Also there’s no way I’m paying for 1 more service. Even if I subscribed to all of them, it passed the point where it’s annoying to check one by one where I can find what I want to watch. It’s time for a meta service in front of all the others, but there’s no way this is coming in the 5 years. At some point, Netflix was simpler than piracy. Now piracy is simple again.
Not a plug because there are many things to dislike about roku, above all the ads on the homescreen. But that search ... there's nothing else like it.
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The right thing to do is to identify where the artist lives, then withdraw unmarked and untraceable cash which you post through their mailbox as a 'gift'. This means that you can guarantee all the money goes directly to the artist.
If you mean that as opposed to part of it being converted to taxes, I'd argue that's not quite "the right thing". Or does the artist not benefit from public goods and services, like roads, public lighting, police, firefighting, etc etc etc?
i.e. If you were a true supporter, the right thing to do would be to form a legal trust and make the beneficiary of the trust the artist's children, and put your money into that, as this would help them legally avoid income taxes on the money you are giving them while using the money for their children's education.
Or a TRUE SUPPORTER wouldn't use band camp, instead they would evaluate the quality of roads and infrastructure around the artists house and pay for a series of contractors to improve the surrounding roads and areas, which will not only improve the artists quality of living but will also improve the value of their house. etc. etc.
In reality there is no 'right thing to do' - just choose whatever channel the artist has put up that supports them at the level that you want them to, and where you get value out.
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The whole music industry's yearly revenue is less than two months of Google's revenue, so I'm sure there is a way.
I think you massively misunderstand the impact of money on law.