"No they can't screen every upload when you get between 500 and
     1000 files everyday."

     The pirates that signon the bbs use a handle, upload a file then
     signoff. How Do You Stop This?  By asking for a real name......
     Are they going to use their real names!

Bullshit.  They didn't get 500 to 1000 files everyday; not even average.

But even if they DID, it doesn't take long to take a stab at getting rid
of the commercial stuff.  I was a user of R&E for a while, and they
didn't even try.  Their response to the commercial uploads was to create
a special file area ENCOURAGING upload of commercial files; and their
public message areas were replete with exchanges where someone would say
"gee, I sure wish I had X program" with a reply saying "check your
private mailbox for a surprise."  That's pretty obvious, and it was
common; less common were the messages simply asking outright for
programs, followed by outright replies saying "I'll upload it tonight."

No attempt was made to prevent this behavior; I tested it myself once,
asking directly about a program.  A response was placed asking if I
wanted the guy to upload it, or if I'd send him disks.  The sysop's
NEVER entered this exchange, and that particular message area didn't get
anywhere NEAR as much daily mail as, say, a heavy-traffic Fidonet echo.

Shortly after that is when I let my membership lapse; I didn't want to
be connected with a BBS that was OBVIOUSLY headed for a well-earned
bust.

     Not all the subscribers paid 85.00 many have anywhere for 40.00
     to over 100.00 depending on use, and for a term of 3-12 months.

     Has anyone figured the cost of equipment, power, phonelines, and
     other costs that it takes to run a BBS with 126 lines?

A drop in the bucket, compared to their incoming profits.  They could
easily afford Henry's "high-school kid" idea; he wouldn't need to work
more than a couple hours a day, after school.

     You may be right, but their policy being Friendly and Open
     has cost them. But they TRUSTED people to not damage the board.
     They DID NOT Knowingly or Willfully Distribute copyrighted
     material on their BBS.

Willfully?  Arguable.  Knowingly?  For damn sure; they knew, and they
certainly didn't discourage it with more than a wink and a nudge.

They very explicitly KNEW it was going on, because it was done in PUBLIC
MESSAGES for all to see, and they were NOT a message-traffic intensive
BBS.

     Your writing this sounds like you don't like anyone who works
     hard to make a profit.  You sound like "DAMM LIBERAL" that likes
     to punish anyone who gets ahead.  The FEDS went after the wrong
     people, The SPA went after the wrong people.

Anybody who works hard to earn a profit is admirable, unless they're
working hard at crime.  Is anybody who prosecutes the Mafia a "damn
liberal?"

I've been a pretty outspoken advocate of capitalism and individual
freedom in a number of forums; I'm the farthest thing from a "damn
liberal" you'll find except for some reactionaries; and I agree with
Henry 100%.

     The Pirates are the clever ones, The Real Criminals didn't get
     caught yet.

No, they didn't; but those who willfully aided and abetted them did.

     My Name is Taged to This file On Exec-Pc

(Note; the person who wrote the above line meant it to apply to the file
"RUSTY4.TXT."  I didn't bother to check his name before I wrote this.

Shawn McMahon,
Former Rusty & Edie's customer

P.S.  If Exec PC ever was to change to the attitudes Rusty & Edie's
showed toward piracy, I'd be gone from here too; I have better things to
do with my time than be grilled by FBI agents, and I *LIKE* cops.