Re: Software Piracy

Hi,

Bill, I wrote this even after I read your OT notice and I apologize.

It's just that I feel so strongly about this knowing the damage it
has caused and the loss that may result to the CNC community that I
had to make my point.

Please consider this when it comes to copying CNC software.

There are some very good and creative people that have written the
programs you are usung for your hobby or your work. Their programs
are well written and have consumed thousands of hours of the
programmers time.

In most cases the programmer is a person just like you. They have
worked for endless hours without anyone to help them because they
have believed in what they are doing.

They turn out the product that is the culmination of their sweat,
tears and dogged love of what they do, just as you do in what it is
that you make.

What makes them diffrent from me and you is the product of our labors
can't be stolen. We build hardware which can't be ripped off, they
build ideas, which can.

I have gotten to know Doug, Art, Dave, Steve and many others.

Some it may shock you to know are not doing well. The same some whose
programs you are using and copying. You may think you are doing no
harm; they must be rich and they won't miss the license fee. That is
so far from the truth.

Let me tell you about the some.

One has given up supporting his extremely well known software because
he is searching a job; a job that can feed his family because his CNC
software won't. Another is looking for a job while still trying to
desperately maintain his software.

You would know both if I were to mention names and you would be
shocked.

They are better men then me. They are more creative and dedicated
than me. Why are they where they are? Because others have felt it is
expidiend to copy. I have heard stories that I cannot repeat of the
thieves that have taken their work and I know who some are. I luckly
have the luxury of denying them service.

Can any of you do what they have done? Can any of you write the
programs they have written? Would any of your machines run without
their efforts? I think not.

Mariss