This is an update to Frogboy's earlier post. I am the one that tried to shut down the warez site. Since the web master of the site posted my Stardock email address and websites, there have been several attacks. I have received confirmation of my subscription to several porno sites (thank you) and several virus infected emails (no, thank you.) For those who know me, the decision to take action against the warez site was taken with grave reservations.
I am a free speech advocate in the extreme ( a perfect foil to Frogboy's ethical conservatism) and a supporter of civil liberties. I think software should be free. An unusual attitude for the sales person of a software company? Not really. I also think food, my childrens' education, DVD's and a new Volvo should be free. I just can't get everyone to agree with me.
Having said that, the Warez site posted a link to the full version of our software. They posted an article about it on their front page. I emailed them, told them to take it down and offered to let them post a shareware version instead. 24 hours passed. My blood pressure rose. I contacted their ISP, who blew the whole thing off. Now the site contacted me, told me the link was taken down. Then they posted another link on their message board, telling their community that they would not be stopped. Well, for a week we played games. Ultimately, I did what I had to do.
I learned two lessons this week. The first is that we live in a time that permits small crimes everyday. As I said to a one of the people I met on the warez scene this week, he would follow someone a mile to return their wallet, but sees nothing wrong with stealing software. This isn't just about the software. ISP's have to turn a blind eye to these sites. I am not kidding, I had three virii mailed to me, threats sent to me, etc. Come on guys, you know that this is wrong. When we (yes all of us) do little things wrong many times a day, is it any wonder that big wrong things happen?
The second thing I learned is about community. These warez d00dz (am I so old that I am the only one to remember that phrase?) found a community on that site. They were prepared to defend their home. I hope that they keep that enthusiasm of youth, but transfer it to a more socially acceptable community- like skinning.
Peace, y'all.