Pirated and OS software are different things, obviously. But would you prefer one over the other? I’m thinking of switching to both OS software AND pirated software. Just want opinions and tips from this community.
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I would definitely download a car.
I think it’s good :)
I am conflicted about it.
I was a teenager in the 90s and piracy back then was new and was an act of rebellion, a fuck you to copyright assholes and a way to stick it to The Man (whatever that means).
Now I think more about the damage that it could cause to creators and developers, but also I don’t like to support predatory and exploitative platforms, so I could say I have become more selective with my piracy, and whenever I think it’s fair, I will pay for the thing I have pirated if I like it/find it useful/think the price is fair.
Piracy is terrible, but there are very few places in the world where it still exists, like Somali.
I have a few personal rules about it, eg. I’ll try not to pirate smaller, independent things where it might conceivably screw over the creator, but other than that it’s all fair game IMO.
As a side note, it’s been interesting to grow up hearing non-stop from the corporate world that piracy is evil and is killing art or whatever, only to watch them do a full 180 in the last couple of years now that they need to pirate the entire internet to train AI.
Rules for thee but not for me
My only rule is that I won’t pirate it if I would otherwise buy it and not do without it. Either way they make no money from me, but sometimes after pirating I’ll want to actually buy it.
Piracy is the great economic equalizer in the age of digital exploitation.
I think it is unethical to pay (or demand payment) for things that can be copied freely. It’s a joke, insanity, a depraved legacy/necessity from the Blue Church.
If buying isn’t owning then piracy isn’t stealing.
If a provided service is good and made accessible reasonably, I’ll use it and happily pay. As soon as it is intentionally obtuse or consumer hostile, say no more; I take to the seas.
But in all cases, I prefer FOSS first. It is generally better, more secure, has more vibrant communities, and represents a dying breed of freedom that we all need.
This is the way. The same goes for media too. Look at the state of streaming services, DRM, and digital storefronts, it’s a shitshow
What’s hilarious is, Netflix damn near killed piracy completely. Until every single network decided to do it themselves.
They forgot the most important part of piracy. Access.
I am NOT paying for your entire streaming service if I want to watch a movie.
Not to mention, a LOT of older movies should be in the public domain by now, and therefore free to watch. But nope, in fact, many older movies are simply gone. Never to be seen again.
Ethically? If you would’ve bought it if you couldn’t pirate it, you should probably buy it.
With how shit my countries consumer protection laws are, 🏴☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️
Both FOSS and piracy are about freedom. The first is given, the second is taken.
3 words.
Stand.
And.
Deliver.
I’ll admit to being mostly right of center in a lot of ways gasp HERE??! Lol.
But I’m no boot licker.
Anarchocapitalist is probably the closest category.
That said, there’s nothing I like more than fighting back against “the man” whether that “man” is a corporation or the government itself.
So when corporations, or anyone really, tries to fuck me over?
Stand. And. Deliver. Bitch.
I turn 49 in August. I’ve had a home computer since 1984. I am of the generation that could work on the old school computers, and I’ve been pirating since the 80s.
If you want me to PAY you, make it worth the money. Otherwise, I’ll get it however I can get away with.
History will thank pirates for keeping our cultural history preserved and safe from for profit leeches that would burn every single book in existence if it made them a dollar.
I’m honestly… In the middle.
My home network is covered by a VPN, which means I can’t use streaming services without punching a hole for my home IP and sacrificing a little privacy - which I’m not willing to do. I’ve gone through my part and contacted providers to lemme through, without success. Even Amazon who CLEARLY knows my name and mailing address still won’t let me watch things even if I own Prime…
So yes, I pirate movies and tv shows. I’ve tried to cooperate, but if my money isn’t enough, then so be it.
Video games I no longer pirate, I’m content with Steam. I also backup all my installs on an external hard drive in the unlikely event Steam goes under or a company demands pulling a game from my profile.
This is no longer true for Nintendo. Their latest attitudes have resulted in me deleting my account and becoming a loyal pirate for Nintendo games. They literally turned me into what they’re fighting, ironic right?
I also no longer pirate general software because 98% of the software I use are FOSS, self created, or just free+offline in general. The other 2% is software I purchased because it was a lifetime permanent license and for software I felt deserved the money for support.
So yeah big tech is my main enemy. If I need something and they won’t work with me without ransoming my privacy and rights, then yeah so be it.
I like you. Your brain works in the right frequencies.
