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A Look Inside the BSA
die_jack_die writes: "SFGate is running this article about the Business Software Alliance. I'm sure the BSA loves when they get scary stories of their tactics into the press, but this piece does quote the EFF's Fred Von Lohman making the point that companies who don't want to deal with the BSA can always use Open Source software. Most telling quote: 'every cent of those massive settlements stays within the BSA -- member software organizations receive only the licensing fees.'"
When they come to raid your company, just reboot into linux, bsd, or whatever. Then ask, "What software?"
How did the Boy Scouts of America get wrapped up in all this?
I didn't realize the Boy Scouts of America were so evil.
"People that quote themselves in their signatures bother me" - athakur999
I just had to read at -1 to see if anyone would postulate that the Goatse.cx man was a boyscout.
Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known. -- Carl Sagan
I just remember the Computer Stew episode when he tried to turn himseft in for a pirate copy of MS Office. - He tried the BSA, Police, Mayor, Attorey General, and Microsoft. At the end of the program they said something like "And what have we learned today? - If you pirate software, you might just go to jail - yeah, if you have the patience."
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Ever notice how both "organizations" hide behind that term usually reserved for not-for-profit aid groups, or otherwise innoxious group?
Ever notice how both groups generally exist for the seemingly sole purpose of badgering people with an army of lawyers behind a veil of "good"?
Ever notice the striking similarity between L Ron and Bill Gates?
Coincidence? I think not.
The previous post was meant as humor, and in no way meant liabel towards the BSA, The Church of Scientology, the ghost of L Ron, or Bill Gates' stupid grin (tm). All of my software is legitimate Microsoft(tm) software!
Stephen King couldn't come to his house. Didn't you read the news? He's dead!
You think that's gonna stop The Kingster?
Dahlmann tightly grips the knife, which he may have no idea how to use, and steps out into the plain.
I saw it during the Super Bowl last Sunday. Something about "Where do terrorists get their money? If you buy pirated software, some of it might come from you.".
"What is the sound of one belly slapping?"
Pan to coffee shop.
Geek1: Hey we are having a BSA party this weekend wana come?
Geek2: Huh, what's a BSA party?
Geek3: Just remember to act scared at first, it makes it more fun
Geek1: I'll make the call this time
Geek1 picks up cell phone and starts dialing.
Flash to new scene, big server room all three geeks sitting behind Internet terminals. Zoom to door view. A loud bang insues. Voice behind door: "US Martials open up, we have a warrant."
Geek 1: comming
Geek 1 walks to door and opens it cops and serious looking guys in black suits run inside and start connecting laptops to hubs and switches.
BSA Agent: We've got you now scumbag, BSA!
BSA Agent2: We recieved anonymous tip, we understand you haven't bought a single software licence for any of these computers!
BSA Agent3: We have you now, there must be hundreds of servers here.
Geek2:(looking scared) Busted...
Geek 3:We will cooperate fully.
clock hands spin around
zoom back to scene... everyone is standing around a large screen . Geek 1 is playing with some cool themed desktop
BSA Agent2: I've never seen anthing like it...
Cop 1:It's so cool
flash to next scene, all the cops and agents are playing first person shooters and yelling at each other. A big LAN party.
Flash to next scene, big nurf war some cops are drinking beer in the corner with their shirts open. The drinking cops and geek 3 are singing together...
Flash to next scene. Things are quiet, Police and men are slowly walking towards the door, heads down.
BSA Agent2: (looks up)That was great. I'm really sorry, you are such nice guys. I quit!
BSA Agent 1:(looking very sincere he puts his hand on geek 1's shoulder) Sorry. We were wrong.
Everybody walks out. Door closes behind him geek 3 turns to geek 2.
Geek 3: They lose more guys that way.
pause blinking servers are visible in background
Geek 2: (confused) OK... How did you do that? play catchy song, fade out...
write across black screen "Linux"
Novel theory: Modern Man evolved from psychopath
Ack! I just found out I'm not as much of a geek as I thought I was. On my first glance at the header I did a doubletake and wondered what dastardly deeds the Boy Scouts of America were up to now! :)
Does Natalie Portman come to your house to make sure you didn't pour hot grits down your pants?
never said it wasn't wrong. but you're right. It makes no difference since proprietary software will be completely gone in 10-15 years.