[Linux-aus] Young Aussies say pirated software is OK

[Chris McCormick]

On Fri, Feb 06, 2009 at 08:31:11AM +1100, Chris Smart wrote:
> 2009/2/5 Charles Gregory <la.lists at chuq.net>:
> > News article at news.com.au -
> >
> > ----
> > http://www.news.com.au/technology/story/0,28348,25010496-5014239,00.html
> > Young Aussies say pirated software is OK
> >
> > ABOUT half of Australians think personal use of pirated software is OK, a
> > survey commissioned by Microsoft has found.
> >
> > The survey found 45 per cent regarded pirated software as acceptable in some
> > situations, with the 16-24 age group coming in at 64 per cent.
> > ----
> >
> 
> And probably an even greater number think that downloading pirated
> music and movies is OK, too. Same thing.
> I've had numerous people tell me that they won't bother using Linux,
> OpenOffice.org or the GIMP when they get all their Windows software
> for free anyway. Price, it seems, is not really a determining factor
> for average non-law abiding citizens.
> 
> Really, Microsoft probably should thank these people because if
> everyone was forced to actually pay for each and every piece of
> software they used,  you'd see a hell of a lot more people using open
> source software. Piracy helps prop up Microsoft's market share.

When the law is at odds with popular consensus and action, there is
something wrong with the law [not with the people]. On the other hand,
prohibition seemed to work pretty well didn't it? Oh, wait a minute...

Best,

Chris.

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http://mccormick.cx