This argument is old and tired. "I didn't actually steal anything - they still have it." is a load.. You have stolen something, the ability for the creator of the IP (music/software/video etc.) to SELL ANOTHER COPY!! How hard is this to understand?? We make money by selling, you guessed it, IP.. If my IP is out there for anyone to STEAL, how can I sell another copy and feed my child??
Perhaps if you's be willing to purchase one copy of my software for $60,000 I'd be willing to let everyone else have it for free.. Does this sound fair to you??
I know that when I was an Undergrad student at Univ. of New Mexico studying Architecture we were specifically told that ALL work producrd by the student for calss or conest projects BELONGED to the university and NOT the student that created it..
Well, I'm not much in favor of the "Software wants to be free" types, but the most obvious difference is that if you take the cabinet, the carpenter loses use of the cabinet while if you take the software, the programmer retains use of the program.
But he DOES loose the ability to sell it.. Look at the cost of some of the packages out there.. $49.95.. Hmm, I really doubt the entire package could have been written for $50.. If you could get someone to pay me the $40k it took to write the software, and earn a decent living, I'd be happy to give the rest away..
Oh wait, then the guy that did buy it will be upset because he had to pay $40k for something everyone else got for free..
Are you implying that someone who has taken the time and effort to train himself (or herself) to be qualified for a high paying tech job are hopelessly unable to train themself in history, literature, art, philosophy, and so on?
For the most part, yes.. One of the most brilliant programmers I have ever met couldn't decipher the latch on the gate to my house.. Once outside of Assembly and Sailor Moon, he is lost..
I have several degrees in various subjects, and a handful of minors, one of which are in any technology field (unless you feel architecture is a tech field) and these skills have all translated into useful skills that made me a well compensated employee, and now an even more well compensated consultant.. Many focused tech types wind up being little more than code drones..
1. We instantly raise the price $100 per unit to cover unexpected 'lemon returns'..
2. We 'SEAL' the box.. You open it, the warranty is completely VOIDED.
3. We put access control software on the system SecurePC and completely remove the ability for the end user to load new software, change drivers, or make simple software upgrades.
All upgrades, updates, etc., MUST be done by our 'Authorized' computer technician, not your brother Bobby that 'knows computers'.. Jsut a few months of this and the laws will become useless..
I don't work on any of my new cars.. I'm a geek.. (I do work on a 65 chevy but that's not under warranty) I don't expect my customers to work on their PCs..
We have taken the step of explicitly releasing the copyright on our html and compiled code to our clients.. That way there is no doubt that they can use it and hire another developer if they feel the need without us coming out and sueing them later.. It's actually gotten us a few clients;-)
If only that were true in any industry other than software/business model.. A search at http://www.patents.ibm.com under the name gerencser (my family anem) brings up 10 differnet listings.. Not one of these patents lasted more than 1 year in the real world.. With very minor changes, each one of them was made useless by competition and sometimes even partners..
But for some reason, business model and tech patents have taken on this air of invulnerability and permenance.. this is most likely a result of business models being just that, models.. There is no real products or technology that defines the model, just a 'way of doing things'.. If all patents were granted on that basis, we'd be using triangular tires becuae they had one less bump than the square ones.. But the idea of the tire would have been patented so no others can be made..
I'm amazed at the number of calls we get every week from 'new' programmers.. We have a small shop and get calls from people fresh out of a CS program that want jobs writing VB apps and expect to start out at $45k or more.
Added to this are the frequent calls from 'network engineers' with a collection of certs that have never built a network larger than the 2 stations they have at home. Again, these people expect to paid upwards of $50k to start..
We have implemented a sort of apprentice program though.. I have kids that haven't graduated high school geting paid $30/hr and older guys that just want to keep busy making as much or more.. We get some great help to get us over the rough spots, and they get the experience they need (and some cash)..
I have yet to see any type of shortage, unless it's of clients willing to pay a reasonable rate for competent work..
Slashdot Mirror
My favorite from way back in my Tandy days was a T we had made up that said - IBM..... You may find better, but you'll never pay more
Perhaps if you's be willing to purchase one copy of my software for $60,000 I'd be willing to let everyone else have it for free.. Does this sound fair to you??
I know that when I was an Undergrad student at Univ. of New Mexico studying Architecture we were specifically told that ALL work producrd by the student for calss or conest projects BELONGED to the university and NOT the student that created it..
But he DOES loose the ability to sell it.. Look at the cost of some of the packages out there.. $49.95.. Hmm, I really doubt the entire package could have been written for $50.. If you could get someone to pay me the $40k it took to write the software, and earn a decent living, I'd be happy to give the rest away..
Oh wait, then the guy that did buy it will be upset because he had to pay $40k for something everyone else got for free..
For the most part, yes.. One of the most brilliant programmers I have ever met couldn't decipher the latch on the gate to my house.. Once outside of Assembly and Sailor Moon, he is lost..
I have several degrees in various subjects, and a handful of minors, one of which are in any technology field (unless you feel architecture is a tech field) and these skills have all translated into useful skills that made me a well compensated employee, and now an even more well compensated consultant.. Many focused tech types wind up being little more than code drones..
1. We instantly raise the price $100 per unit to cover unexpected 'lemon returns'..
2. We 'SEAL' the box.. You open it, the warranty is completely VOIDED.
3. We put access control software on the system SecurePC and completely remove the ability for the end user to load new software, change drivers, or make simple software upgrades.
All upgrades, updates, etc., MUST be done by our 'Authorized' computer technician, not your brother Bobby that 'knows computers'.. Jsut a few months of this and the laws will become useless..
I don't work on any of my new cars.. I'm a geek.. (I do work on a 65 chevy but that's not under warranty) I don't expect my customers to work on their PCs..
Toshiba did not loose.. They settled, HUGE difference..
Feydakin
And of course charge for the space.. Actually 'earning' a few more dollars per flight that normally would have been spent on lifting the old tech..
But for some reason, business model and tech patents have taken on this air of invulnerability and permenance.. this is most likely a result of business models being just that, models.. There is no real products or technology that defines the model, just a 'way of doing things'.. If all patents were granted on that basis, we'd be using triangular tires becuae they had one less bump than the square ones.. But the idea of the tire would have been patented so no others can be made..
Added to this are the frequent calls from 'network engineers' with a collection of certs that have never built a network larger than the 2 stations they have at home. Again, these people expect to paid upwards of $50k to start..
We have implemented a sort of apprentice program though.. I have kids that haven't graduated high school geting paid $30/hr and older guys that just want to keep busy making as much or more.. We get some great help to get us over the rough spots, and they get the experience they need (and some cash)..
I have yet to see any type of shortage, unless it's of clients willing to pay a reasonable rate for competent work..
feydakin