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HACKING.PWR
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- YOUR VIEWS -
- WRITTEN BY JAMES L. MATHEWS -
You may remember a couple of months ago in POWER I issued a small
questionnaire all about hacking. The reason for this was because after the
interview with a hacker, so many people wrote in with their own opinions
that I thought we might as well do the thing properly and officially. Well,
the response was quite good, better than I thought actually as people seem
to be very reluctant to write in as it is, let alone with such a 'risky'
subject. It's a subject where in most cases, you fully agree with it or you
fully disagree with it which can cause offence and arguments so I would like
to make it clear now that I am neutral in this article. I do not necessarily
agree with any of the points raised. In this article, I am simply stating
the information I gathered from the questionnaires and I have also
quoted\printed a few readers letters and opinions. Well, let's get on with
it shall we?
* * * * *
It seems that just about 80% of you who replied had been involved in hacked
software in one way or another but less than 20% of you actually agreed with
it. Those figures show me that although a lot of you do it, you don't WANT
to do it but you have no other option. However, the 20% who hadn't been
involved in hacked software (or SAY they hadn't) actually agreed with it in
the majority and would buy\use hacked software although they didn't know how
or where to get a hold of it.
* * * * *
It seems that views were very mixed. Many actually contradicted themselves
in many places showing that you either weren't being totally candid or you
simply weren't sure of your views. Those of you with definite views though
were VERY definite.
* * * * *
It seems that 98% of you who HAD been involved in hacked software were at
first very reluctant to fill in the questionnaire and many of you mentioned
that you were actually ashamed to admit that you used hacked software but
100% of people involved in hacked software felt that they had an excuse and
although a few of you felt guilty, you said that you would continue to do it
as long as you could.
* * * * *
Just over 95% of you said that you would never even contemplate informing
F.A.S.T. (Federation Against Software Thieving) if you knew of someone with
hacked software although 13% of you actually mentioned that you wouldn't
because you didn't know how to go about reporting to F.A.S.T. anyway. 100%
of people involved in hacking said that they would never inform F.A.S.T. of
anyone dealing with hacked software.
* * * * *
Quite a long letter with a large chunk devoted to the topic of hacking was
written by someone who would like to be known as the Albatross. He
expressed the following views...
"...I would never try to justify copying commercial software so please don't
think that any comments that I make further on in this letter are an attempt
to justify it, but rather an attempt by me to explain my own position
regarding regarding my ST and other bits and pieces. Does that seem like I
am trying to cloud rather clarify things? I hope not.
Anyway, my situation is that I bought my ST about two years ago, paying
£299.99 for a 520STE Discovery Pack (excellent games I think you'll agree).
After about 2 months, I met a guy in a computer shop while I was looking to
buy some good games for my ST; flight sims, shoot 'em ups etc. As you may
be aware, trying to get this or any other software for the ST in Ireland is
like trying to find Leprechauns and their crock of gold, no, I tell a lie
finding Leprechauns is a little easier! Anyway, as I was talking this guy
about the ST, it turned out that he was a member of a User Group here and he
told me when they would be meeting next and invited me along. To cut a
long story short, I went to the meeting and was surprised (pleasantly) to
find so much ST software available for the price of a blank disk, both
serious and games. This was really the beginning of a long and happy
relationship with both my ST and the User Group (still functioning in spite
of reduced membership and reduced software releases on the ST).
Perhaps as a result of so much software being so easily available to me my
interest in the ST, which initially was only games related, I began to turn
my attention towards the serious side of things. With the capabilities of
the ST seemingly endless I had to decide which aspects I would turn my
attention to. As it turned out, for me it was almost decided for me because
I have no aptitude for music or programming, so this only left Word
Processing and D.T.P. Now the problem was to get a printer (Star LC20).
Next problem; eye strain due to Medium Resolution and Portable T.V.
Solution : Atari SM124, eventually bought second hand for £75. Of course,
like any good hobby,computers have this uncanny knack of creating outrageous
"desires" and "must-haves" which mysteriously change to "absolute
necessities" in a very short length of time (at least as far as the wife is
concerned). This was how I came across my Deskjet 510, a damn fine piece
of equipment (except it only prints in Black and White and I can feel those
so called "desires" beginning to stir again......!!!!!!!). This is getting
really long. Next, Hard Disc or Modem? I can't decide. Perhaps a Modem, then
I can download lots of P.D and Clip Art and E-Mail would be handy too, but
how do I explain the Phone Bill?!. And how did I get away with spending 200
on a Colour Portable T.V. so I can play the occasional game?, I am still
trying to figure that one out. I must have a neck like a jockey's for that
one!
To try to put all this into perspective, if I had not met this guy in the
computer shop, gone to the meeting, copied software (not always commercial)
the chances of me still having my ST would be slim indeed. Also, the money
spent on computer related products so far exceeds £1100 excluding ST mag's
plus User Group membership and is rising. So, I did not buy much commercial
software, not because I don't want to buy software, more because I could not
obtain what I wanted over here at any price. Maybe you feel that I could
get software through Mail Order in the U.K. or directly from the software
companies and perhaps you are right. On that subject I have a Genlock on
order from Titan Designs in Birmingham at a cost of £189 Sterling about 210
Irish Punts, ordered in October 1993 and still awaiting delivery of software
and manuals so that I can use the lovely piece of hardware which I received
about 6 weeks ago (manuals and software were to follow in 2 weeks). It would
also be nice to receive the manuals and software for Flexidump 2 from Care
Electronics,ordered about 6 weeks ago, £40 and still waiting. I have also
written off a £10 Sterling Registration for a shareware program. All of the
above have added costs (phone calls and letters which I have not included)
as these seem to be reputable companies I would dread to think of the service
of some smaller companies. You may also say that some P.D. software is as
good as commercial software and I would agree with you on that, but what
you don't say is that most of these programs are disabled in some way and
access to all of the features on offer involves registering with the author,
with the cost being anywhere between £5 and £30 depending on the quality of
the program, some offering "extras" such as other programs (which may not
be useful to you, or free upgrades as an incentive to register. The practice
of free upgrades seems to be disappearing in recent times, however, with
more and more Shareware authors now asking for more money for upgrades. I
have no problem with people getting paid for the work they put in to their
programs, but it seems to me that with the decline in commercial offerings
for the ST, the shareware concept is being used to promote software which is
closer to commercial in quality and price..."
* * * * *
There have been many hacking-related articles in the press and programs on
T.V. Recently, the following small article was published in The Daily
Telegraph:
GAME IS UP FOR VIDEO PIRATE OF TREASURE ISLAND
A video game pirate known as The Executioner is the first to be convicted of
illegally distributing Nintendo and Sega games on an electronic "bulletin
board".
Jonathan Morris, of Cheshunt, Herts, was fined £1,250 at Bow Street
Magistrate's Court and required to forfeit his computer.
He ran a bulletin board - an electronic noticeboard open to computer users -
from his home. Called TREASURE ISLAND< it was known throughout the world.
The conviction followed a raid last year by the European Leisure Software
Publishers' Association, which represents the electronic games industry, and
Scotland Yard's Computer Crime Unit.
Five more bulletin board operators are awaiting trial. Others have recently
stopped operating.
My John Loader, head of the software association's crime unit, said: "This
is a landmark case for us. It is the first time a pirate bulletin board
operator has been taken to court.
"It seems to be the only way to make these people realise what they're doing
is illegal," he said. "They think it's just a bit of fun."
Bulletin boards are used to transmit video games freely around the globe.
The latest Nintendo and Sega releases in Japan and America are bought by
groups known as "crackers" who transfer them to computers and send them
electronically to friends or contacts in countries where they are not yet on
sale.
They can then be transferred on to cartridges used in Nintendo and Sega
games machines and given away or sold. For a fee of about £25, a bulletin
board might provide a month;'s unlimited access to games, allowing the user
to copy them.
Mr. Loader said: "The whole thing is just ego-driven. It doesn't make much
money. The aim is to get your copy of a new game on the network first with
your name on it."
Some 10 to 20 bulletin boards are thought to be operating in Britain. "We
are making good headway in tracking them down and hope this will deter
anyone considering setting one up," said Mr. Loader.
His crime unit has also recently seized more than 50 compact discs, several
hundred floppy computer discs and copying machines from and address in East
London.
Once C.D. contained more than 450 Nintendo Super NES games. Another held
more than 150 games from several companies.
"We have been aware of the existence of illegal copies of Nintendo's SNES
games for some time and have been working extremely hard to track down
offenders" said Mr. Loader.
The illegal copying of games on to C.D.'s, with their enormous storage
capacity, is rapidly increasing, said Mr. Loader. His unit was trying to
contain the activity before it gained momentum.
Hmmm, well, what do you think?
* * * * *
I'm now going to publish a few of the filled in questionnaires I received.
Apart from obvious name-changes by the person who filled in the
questionnaire, I will not publish any names.
NAME: ---
AT FIRST, WERE YOU RELUCTANT TO FILL THIS SURVEY IN AND WHY?
No, why should I be?
DO YOU OWN ANY HACKED SOFTWARE?
No.
IF THE ABOVE WAS YES, HOW MANY DISKS OF HACKED SOFTWARE DO YOU HAVE?
-
IF YOU OWN HACKED SOFTWARE, WHERE DO YOU USUALLY GET IT FROM?
-
DO YOU AGREE WITH HACKING?
Of course not.
WHAT DO YOU THINK IS RIGHT ABOUT HACKING (IF ANYTHING)?
Nothing.
WHAT DO YOU THINK IS WRONG ABOUT HACKING (IF ANYTHING)?
Everything.
DO YOU THINK HACKING SHOULD CONTINUE?
No.
DO YOU THINK HACKERS HELP KEEP THE ST ALIVE?
No.
DO YOU THINK THERE IS ANY NEED FOR GROUPS SUCH AS F.A.S.T.?
Yes.
DO YOU THINK HACKING OF GAMES THAT ARE NO LONGER ON SALE SHOULD BE ALLOWED?
No. Hacking is hacking.
DO YOU THINK HACKING REALLY MAKES SOFTWARE HOUSES LOSE AS MUCH MONEY AS THEY
CLAIM?
Yes. Maybe slightly less.
DO YOU THINK SOFTWARE HOUSES JUST USE HACKING AS AN EXCUSE FOR HIGHER PRICES
AND FOR LEAVING THE SCENE?
No.
IF YOU HAD\HAVE THE ABILITY TO HACK A DISK, WOULD YOU DO SO\HAVE YOU DONE
SO?
No.
WHAT DO YOU THINK SHOULD BE DONE WITH HACKERS (IF ANYTHING)?
Heavily fined, have their computers taken away from them and face a possible
prison sentence.
DO YOU KNOW HOW TO GET HOLD OF HACKED SOFTWARE IF YOU WANT IT AND IF SO,
WHERE FROM (NO PARTICULAR ADDRESSES REQUIRED)?
Yes.
DO YOU THINK COMMERCIAL SOFTWARE IS OVER-PRICED?
Not really. It would be nice for it to be lower but what can you expect?
DO YOU THINK OVER-PRICING CONDONES HACKING?
Nothing condones hacking.
DO YOU SEE HACKING AS STEALING? WHY?
Yes, because you are taking money from the software houses.
WHY DO YOU THINK THERE IS HACKED SOFTWARE?
Because there are too many greedy sods in the world.
IF YOU KNEW OF ANYONE HACKING OR USING HACKED SOFTWARE, WOULD YOU INFORM
F.A.S.T.?
Yes. The only reason I haven't is because I don't know how to get in touch
with them.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS ON HACKING:
It's a pure disgrace. What more needs to be said. It's wrong, end of
argument.
============================================================================
NAME: Mace.
AT FIRST, WERE YOU RELUCTANT TO FILL THIS SURVEY IN AND WHY?
Yes.
DO YOU OWN ANY HACKED SOFTWARE?
Yes.
IF THE ABOVE WAS YES, HOW MANY DISKS OF HACKED SOFTWARE DO YOU HAVE?
54.
IF YOU OWN HACKED SOFTWARE, WHERE DO YOU USUALLY GET IT FROM?
Contacts.
DO YOU AGREE WITH HACKING?
Not really.
WHAT DO YOU THINK IS RIGHT ABOUT HACKING (IF ANYTHING)?
It allows me to get software that I would not be able to get otherwise.
WHAT DO YOU THINK IS WRONG ABOUT HACKING (IF ANYTHING)?
It's stealing.
DO YOU THINK HACKING SHOULD CONTINUE?
That's too hard to answer.
DO YOU THINK HACKERS HELP KEEP THE ST ALIVE?
They don't help, they don't hinder.
DO YOU THINK THERE IS ANY NEED FOR GROUPS SUCH AS F.A.S.T.?
Yes although I wish there wasn't.
DO YOU THINK HACKING OF GAMES THAT ARE NO LONGER ON SALE SHOULD BE ALLOWED?
Yes because then nobody loses out.
DO YOU THINK HACKING REALLY MAKES SOFTWARE HOUSES LOSE AS MUCH MONEY AS THEY
CLAIM?
No, it's just an excuse for high prices.
DO YOU THINK SOFTWARE HOUSES JUST USE HACKING AS AN EXCUSE FOR HIGHER PRICES
AND FOR LEAVING THE SCENE?
Yes.
IF YOU HAD\HAVE THE ABILITY TO HACK A DISK, WOULD YOU DO SO\HAVE YOU DONE
SO?
No. Why bother when I can just get them from other people?
WHAT DO YOU THINK SHOULD BE DONE WITH HACKERS (IF ANYTHING)?
Again, that's too hard to answer. I'd be a hypocrite if I were to say they
should be locked away.
DO YOU KNOW HOW TO GET HOLD OF HACKED SOFTWARE IF YOU WANT IT AND IF SO,
WHERE FROM (NO PARTICULAR ADDRESSES REQUIRED)?
Contacts.
DO YOU THINK COMMERCIAL SOFTWARE IS OVER-PRICED?
Yes.
DO YOU THINK OVER-PRICING CONDONES HACKING?
No.
DO YOU SEE HACKING AS STEALING? WHY?
Yes. It just is.
WHY DO YOU THINK THERE IS HACKED SOFTWARE?
Because people like me want it.
IF YOU KNEW OF ANYONE HACKING OR USING HACKED SOFTWARE, WOULD YOU INFORM
F.A.S.T.?
No, I wouldn't know how to!
ANY OTHER COMMENTS ON HACKING:
I think hacking is wrong but I use hacked software because I couldn't get
hold of the software otherwise, I just can't afford it. I don't like to do
it but I feel I have an excuse.
============================================================================
NAME: ---
AT FIRST, WERE YOU RELUCTANT TO FILL THIS SURVEY IN AND WHY?
No because I haven't done anything wrong.
DO YOU OWN ANY HACKED SOFTWARE?
No.
IF THE ABOVE WAS YES, HOW MANY DISKS OF HACKED SOFTWARE DO YOU HAVE?
-
IF YOU OWN HACKED SOFTWARE, WHERE DO YOU USUALLY GET IT FROM?
-
DO YOU AGREE WITH HACKING?
Yes.
WHAT DO YOU THINK IS RIGHT ABOUT HACKING (IF ANYTHING)?
It lets people get software they want without paying stupid prices.
WHAT DO YOU THINK IS WRONG ABOUT HACKING (IF ANYTHING)?
Nothing really.
DO YOU THINK HACKING SHOULD CONTINUE?
Yes.
DO YOU THINK HACKERS HELP KEEP THE ST ALIVE?
Yes.
DO YOU THINK THERE IS ANY NEED FOR GROUPS SUCH AS F.A.S.T.?
Not really. It's just a waste of time and money. It's all done in vain
anyway.
DO YOU THINK HACKING OF GAMES THAT ARE NO LONGER ON SALE SHOULD BE ALLOWED?
There's no damage done so why not?
DO YOU THINK HACKING REALLY MAKES SOFTWARE HOUSES LOSE AS MUCH MONEY AS THEY
CLAIM?
No.
DO YOU THINK SOFTWARE HOUSES JUST USE HACKING AS AN EXCUSE FOR HIGHER PRICES
AND FOR LEAVING THE SCENE?
I'm sure of it.
IF YOU HAD\HAVE THE ABILITY TO HACK A DISK, WOULD YOU DO SO\HAVE YOU DONE
SO?
Probably.
WHAT DO YOU THINK SHOULD BE DONE WITH HACKERS (IF ANYTHING)?
What can you do with them?
DO YOU KNOW HOW TO GET HOLD OF HACKED SOFTWARE IF YOU WANT IT AND IF SO,
WHERE FROM (NO PARTICULAR ADDRESSES REQUIRED)?
No, I wish I did though.
DO YOU THINK COMMERCIAL SOFTWARE IS OVER-PRICED?
Yes and that's the reason why I don't buy it.
DO YOU THINK OVER-PRICING CONDONES HACKING?
Yes. That's the whole reason behind it isn't it?!
DO YOU SEE HACKING AS STEALING? WHY?
Not really. In theory I suppose it is but in practise it doesn't work out
that way.
WHY DO YOU THINK THERE IS HACKED SOFTWARE?
Because people have sense.
IF YOU KNEW OF ANYONE HACKING OR USING HACKED SOFTWARE, WOULD YOU INFORM
F.A.S.T.?
No.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS ON HACKING:
If I knew how to get hold of hacked software I'd be using it. As it is, I
can't get any software for my ST apart from P.D. and although the P.D. scene
is good, it isn't good enough for really serious work. Because of this and
me not being able to afford commercial software yet also not knowing how to
get hacked software I will probably be selling my ST soon and looking for an
alternative which can offer me cheaper commercial software of roughly the
same quality.
=============================================================================
NAME: Astaroth.
AT FIRST, WERE YOU RELUCTANT TO FILL THIS SURVEY IN AND WHY?
A little reluctant 'coz I don't like to tell everyone that I've got pirated
software.
DO YOU OWN ANY HACKED SOFTWARE?
Yes.
IF THE ABOVE WAS YES, HOW MANY DISKS OF HACKED SOFTWARE DO YOU HAVE?
Not really sure but it's well over a 1000 ( one thousand ) disks of pirated
stuff - I used to have a lot more but I've started copying over a lot of the
older stuff.
IF YOU OWN HACKED SOFTWARE, WHERE DO YOU USUALLY GET IT FROM?
Contacts.
DO YOU AGREE WITH HACKING?
Yes
WHAT DO YOU THINK IS RIGHT ABOUT HACKING (IF ANYTHING)?
-
WHAT DO YOU THINK IS WRONG ABOUT HACKING (IF ANYTHING)?
-
DO YOU THINK HACKING SHOULD CONTINUE?
Yes.
DO YOU THINK HACKERS HELP KEEP THE ST ALIVE?
No - but they don't kill it either.
DO YOU THINK THERE IS ANY NEED FOR GROUPS SUCH AS F.A.S.T.?
Yes - but most of the work that F.A.S.T. carry out is concentrated on piracy
in the big businesses and the selling of pirated software.
DO YOU THINK HACKING OF GAMES THAT ARE NO LONGER ON SALE SHOULD BE ALLOWED?
No point cracking old stuff.
DO YOU THINK HACKING REALLY MAKES SOFTWARE HOUSES LOSE AS MUCH MONEY AS THEY
CLAIM?
No.
DO YOU THINK SOFTWARE HOUSES JUST USE HACKING AS AN EXCUSE FOR HIGHER PRICES
AND FOR LEAVING THE SCENE?
Yes.
IF YOU HAD\HAVE THE ABILITY TO HACK A DISK, WOULD YOU DO SO\HAVE YOU DONE
SO?
If I had the ability I wouldn't think twice about doing it.
WHAT DO YOU THINK SHOULD BE DONE WITH HACKERS (IF ANYTHING)?
Keep them supplied with software to keep them active.
DO YOU KNOW HOW TO GET HOLD OF HACKED SOFTWARE IF YOU WANT IT AND IF SO,
WHERE FROM (NO PARTICULAR ADDRESSES REQUIRED)?
Yes - from contacts that I've made over the years on the ST.
DO YOU THINK COMMERCIAL SOFTWARE IS OVER-PRICED?
Yes.
DO YOU THINK OVER-PRICING CONDONES HACKING?
No.
DO YOU SEE HACKING AS STEALING? WHY?
No.
WHY DO YOU THINK THERE IS HACKED SOFTWARE?
Because there's a demand.
IF YOU KNEW OF ANYONE HACKING OR USING HACKED SOFTWARE, WOULD YOU INFORM
F.A.S.T.?
No.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS ON HACKING:
No matter what is done or said, as long as software is released - it will be
pirated, no matter what format is used, it will be pirated.
They all thought that the CD roms would end piracy - no chance, pirated CD's
have been available for ages on the PC and CD32 disks have already been
hacked and put on to floppy disks for use on the A1200 - no format is safe.
Piracy on the Amiga is much bigger now than it ever was on the ST, yet the
Amiga is still enjoying decent sales - even to the extent of new software
houses springing up. Software houses are only interested in making as much
money as possible (who isn't?!) and if they know that they can sell double
the amount on the Amiga or PC then why even bother converting stuff for the
ST?
============================================================================
NAME: ---
AT FIRST, WERE YOU RELUCTANT TO FILL THIS SURVEY IN AND WHY?
No.
DO YOU OWN ANY HACKED SOFTWARE?
Yes.
IF THE ABOVE WAS YES, HOW MANY DISKS OF HACKED SOFTWARE DO YOU HAVE?
Not many, about 20-30 disks maximum.
IF YOU OWN HACKED SOFTWARE, WHERE DO YOU USUALLY GET IT FROM?
Contacts!
DO YOU AGREE WITH HACKING?
Hacking isn't a principal you can agree or disagree with, it's an action. Do
I agree that people should rip off other peoples work and then sell it/copy
it? Well to be honest, no I don't.
WHAT DO YOU THINK IS RIGHT ABOUT HACKING (IF ANYTHING)?
At base level it teaches the hacker about protection and code and the ST.
WHAT DO YOU THINK IS WRONG ABOUT HACKING (IF ANYTHING)?
It's open to anyone, no company is safe, even if they release budget
software - these are the people that should be left alone. Hacking is not
moralistic anymore, they do it because it makes them famous.
DO YOU THINK HACKING SHOULD CONTINUE?
Is there a choice? I think it will continue regardless.
DO YOU THINK HACKERS HELP KEEP THE ST ALIVE?
Not in the slightest, WE keep the ST alive.
DO YOU THINK THERE IS ANY NEED FOR GROUPS SUCH AS F.A.S.T.?
Companies like MicroSoft and Adobe would say 'yes', FAST is not geared
towards kids with a few copies in their box, its about large organisations
ripping off DOS for their workers etc.
DO YOU THINK HACKING OF GAMES THAT ARE NO LONGER ON SALE SHOULD BE ALLOWED?
Seeing as that covers 80% of ST games it would be a lot of software.You have
to remember that someone somewhere put a lot of work into that game, but to
be honest I don't mind owning hacked games that you couldn't buy any more.
In fact that's what all my games are - titles that I couldn't buy but still
wanted.
DO YOU THINK HACKING REALLY MAKES SOFTWARE HOUSES LOSE AS MUCH MONEY AS THEY
CLAIM?
I think it would be hard to prove it wrong, but I must admit from my own
experiences that yes it would make them lose money. I have seen games
in magazines and thought - wow I'll buy that - but when a hack turns up I
don't buy it after all.
DO YOU THINK SOFTWARE HOUSES JUST USE HACKING AS AN EXCUSE FOR HIGHER PRICES
AND FOR LEAVING THE SCENE?
They always charged high prices even before hacking became a 'cult' thing
like it did on the ST and Amiga so it makes little difference.
IF YOU HAD\HAVE THE ABILITY TO HACK A DISK, WOULD YOU DO SO\HAVE YOU DONE
SO?
Yes, but I never spread it because the Pompey Pirates did a better job!
WHAT DO YOU THINK SHOULD BE DONE WITH HACKERS (IF ANYTHING)?
What can you do? The ST scene is dead so they will move elsewhere, it's
as simple as that. CD-Roms will bugger them though, I mean how do you
hack 600 disks worth of data?!
DO YOU KNOW HOW TO GET HOLD OF HACKED SOFTWARE IF YOU WANT IT AND IF SO,
WHERE FROM (NO PARTICULAR ADDRESSES REQUIRED)?
Sure, I know a number of people who have vast collections.
DO YOU THINK COMMERCIAL SOFTWARE IS OVER-PRICED?
Over-priced compared to what? It's always been that expensive hasn't it.
The prices have not fluctuated much at all, I don't mind paying for
quality games like Microprose releases, they seem worth the money. But
there is plenty of crap around too.
DO YOU THINK OVER-PRICING CONDONES HACKING?
Not really.
DO YOU SEE HACKING AS STEALING? WHY?
If you see video taping T.V. programs as stealing then I guess by definition
it is, but in reality no-one knows you have 'stolen' anything so you don't
feel the same way as if you had walked into a shop and pinched something.
WHY DO YOU THINK THERE IS HACKED SOFTWARE?
The same reason there are bootleg CD's and tape's, the same reason why you
can buy all the latest films on video with full colour covers from market
stalls. It makes money - someone somewhere makes money from it.
IF YOU KNEW OF ANYONE HACKING OR USING HACKED SOFTWARE, WOULD YOU INFORM
F.A.S.T.?
Not at all, that would be hypocritical of me.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS ON HACKING:
Yes, it's dead on the ST pretty much. There is more of a problem on the
Amiga and PC where the competition is so high and there is huge amounts
of money to be made (I am not exagerating). I used to deal with a lady
in London who sold copied games for a pound a disk, most games then were
two or three disks each and she quite honestly sold around two to three
hundred games every 2 weeks or so. This is a small example. The
incentive to supply is more of a problem than the hacking itself, it's
just a way to a means.
=============================================================================
NAME: ---
AT FIRST, WERE YOU RELUCTANT TO FILL THIS SURVEY IN AND WHY?
Yes. It's risky to admit to a crime.
DO YOU OWN ANY HACKED SOFTWARE?
Yes. Loads.
IF THE ABOVE WAS YES, HOW MANY DISKS OF HACKED SOFTWARE DO YOU HAVE?
Roughly 2500 disks.
IF YOU OWN HACKED SOFTWARE, WHERE DO YOU USUALLY GET IT FROM?
Contacts, clubs, friends etc.
DO YOU AGREE WITH HACKING?
Yes.
WHAT DO YOU THINK IS RIGHT ABOUT HACKING (IF ANYTHING)?
It stops us getting ripped off.
WHAT DO YOU THINK IS WRONG ABOUT HACKING (IF ANYTHING)?
Nothing. The software houses can afford it.
DO YOU THINK HACKING SHOULD CONTINUE?
Yes.
DO YOU THINK HACKERS HELP KEEP THE ST ALIVE?
Yes. If it wasn't for hacked stuff, I would have left a long time ago just
like most other people.
DO YOU THINK THERE IS ANY NEED FOR GROUPS SUCH AS F.A.S.T.?
No. They only catch about 2 people a decade.
DO YOU THINK HACKING OF GAMES THAT ARE NO LONGER ON SALE SHOULD BE ALLOWED?
Yes. What harm does it do?
DO YOU THINK HACKING REALLY MAKES SOFTWARE HOUSES LOSE AS MUCH MONEY AS THEY
CLAIM?
No way!
DO YOU THINK SOFTWARE HOUSES JUST USE HACKING AS AN EXCUSE FOR HIGHER PRICES
AND FOR LEAVING THE SCENE?
Yes.
IF YOU HAD\HAVE THE ABILITY TO HACK A DISK, WOULD YOU DO SO\HAVE YOU DONE
SO?
Yes, I have done so.
WHAT DO YOU THINK SHOULD BE DONE WITH HACKERS (IF ANYTHING)?
Nothing.
DO YOU KNOW HOW TO GET HOLD OF HACKED SOFTWARE IF YOU WANT IT AND IF SO,
WHERE FROM (NO PARTICULAR ADDRESSES REQUIRED)?
Yes. I do it myself or get it from some friends or contacts.
DO YOU THINK COMMERCIAL SOFTWARE IS OVER-PRICED?
Yes.
DO YOU THINK OVER-PRICING CONDONES HACKING?
Yes.
DO YOU SEE HACKING AS STEALING? WHY?
No. I use my own disks and postage, it doesn't cost them anything.
WHY DO YOU THINK THERE IS HACKED SOFTWARE?
Because we deserve it.
IF YOU KNEW OF ANYONE HACKING OR USING HACKED SOFTWARE, WOULD YOU INFORM
F.A.S.T.?
No.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS ON HACKING:
Computers need hacking. Without it, only people with loads of money would
ever use them and technology would not be where it is now. The ST certainly
wouldn't be here.
============================================================================
NAME: Jargon.
AT FIRST, WERE YOU RELUCTANT TO FILL THIS SURVEY IN AND WHY?
Yes. It's just not something I wanted to talk about really.
DO YOU OWN ANY HACKED SOFTWARE?
No.
IF THE ABOVE WAS YES, HOW MANY DISKS OF HACKED SOFTWARE DO YOU HAVE?
-
IF YOU OWN HACKED SOFTWARE, WHERE DO YOU USUALLY GET IT FROM?
-
DO YOU AGREE WITH HACKING?
In principal it is wrong but the prices software houses sell their products
for is wrong too.
WHAT DO YOU THINK IS RIGHT ABOUT HACKING (IF ANYTHING)?
At least hackers support the ST.
WHAT DO YOU THINK IS WRONG ABOUT HACKING (IF ANYTHING)?
It's all wrong really.
DO YOU THINK HACKING SHOULD CONTINUE?
No.
DO YOU THINK HACKERS HELP KEEP THE ST ALIVE?
No.
DO YOU THINK THERE IS ANY NEED FOR GROUPS SUCH AS F.A.S.T.?
Yes.
DO YOU THINK HACKING OF GAMES THAT ARE NO LONGER ON SALE SHOULD BE ALLOWED?
No.
DO YOU THINK HACKING REALLY MAKES SOFTWARE HOUSES LOSE AS MUCH MONEY AS THEY
CLAIM?
Yes, they wouldn't be able to say so otherwise.
DO YOU THINK SOFTWARE HOUSES JUST USE HACKING AS AN EXCUSE FOR HIGHER PRICES
AND FOR LEAVING THE SCENE?
I doubt it. Why leave otherwise if they're making money?
IF YOU HAD\HAVE THE ABILITY TO HACK A DISK, WOULD YOU DO SO\HAVE YOU DONE
SO?
No.
WHAT DO YOU THINK SHOULD BE DONE WITH HACKERS (IF ANYTHING)?
They should be heavily fined.
DO YOU KNOW HOW TO GET HOLD OF HACKED SOFTWARE IF YOU WANT IT AND IF SO,
WHERE FROM (NO PARTICULAR ADDRESSES REQUIRED)?
No.
DO YOU THINK COMMERCIAL SOFTWARE IS OVER-PRICED?
No.
DO YOU THINK OVER-PRICING CONDONES HACKING?
No.
DO YOU SEE HACKING AS STEALING? WHY?
No.
WHY DO YOU THINK THERE IS HACKED SOFTWARE?
Because hackers enjoy hacking and it saves people hundreds of pounds.
IF YOU KNEW OF ANYONE HACKING OR USING HACKED SOFTWARE, WOULD YOU INFORM
F.A.S.T.?
No, I don't know how to.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS ON HACKING:
I don't agree with hacking and I don't know how to get hold of hacked
software, how to tell F.A.S.T. about someone hacking or anything. I do
think that hacking is fairer than people make out though and if I got sent
some hacked software I'd keep it and use it.
* * * * *
They are just a few of the questionnaires I received. As you can see,
everyone that has hacked software above obtains it from contacts. Only 2
people out of the total amount of hacked-software-users who filled in the
questionnaire obtained hacked software from another source and that source
was market stalls selling disks for roughly £4 each.
It seems that just about all of you have at least EXPERIENCED hacked
software in some form or another whether you've kept it or not. However,
the 80% of you who said you had hacked software can't really be taken as a
general percentage. That doesn't mean that 80% of ST users have hacked
software in their disk collections. Because this is a disk mag, we only
attract a certain user, a user which has some kind of knowledge of the ST
scene and therefore has a much better chance of coming across hacked
software. Most people who haven't really experienced the P.D. scene and
contact scene will probably never experience hacked software unless they
come across a local user-group or dodgy market stall. However, most of you
who replied saying that you DIDN'T have any hacked software said that if you
knew how to get it, you would which implies that if everyone had free access
to hacked software, there wouldn't really be a commercial sector at all.
* * * * *
There was only really one main excuse for having hacked software that was
mentioned in your questionnaires and that was simply that you can't afford
to buy the stuff in the shops. Some of you said that you'd actually buy the
commercial product for the full price if you had tried a hack, liked it and
needed the manual but apart from that, it looks as if the software house has
lost out on a sale although few of you saw it that way. Most of you
concerned said that if you hadn't have got a certain hack then you would
never have got the program anyway so either way the software house doesn't
get a sale from you. This was seen as a very excusable nature by most of
you. However, despite the fact that most who were involved with hacked
software had an 'excuse', very few of you actually agreed with the principal
of hacking and just about all of you were very reluctant to fill in the
questionnaire at first. Those of you who gave reasons for this ranged from
being scared of me informing F.A.S.T. to just feeling guilty or embarrassed
to talk about it.
* * * * *
When it came to the question about hackers helping or killing the ST, it was
a clean split. Exactly 48% of you said they helped it and 48% of you said
they helped to kill it. The remaining 4% had neutral views on the subject.
Those of you who said it helped the ST in the majority followed the view
that if it hadn't have been for hacking, most people will have sold their
ST's by now as they wouldn't have any really worthwhile software to use on
their ST despite how good the P.D. scene is. Those of you who said it was
killing the scene in the majority followed the view that people who used
hacked software were killing off software houses and consequently killing
off the ST.
* * * * *
Hacking is a very hard subject to talk about. It's like religion and
politics, it's just something you don't talk about and if you do, you talk
about it with people of your own kind (i.e. fellow hackers\hacked software
users or fellow anti-hackers\hacked software users) but it's always risky to
mix the two views. Basically, what you've got to do is make your own mind
up although looking at all of the questionnaires filled in, it seems that
few of you really knew what you felt on the subject and as I said earlier, a
lot of you contradicted yourself and were hypocritical.
* * * * *
Whatever your view, I hope that this article has been interesting for you.
Thankyou to all those who filled out questionnaires, sorry that I couldn't
include them all but they did take up quite a lot of disk space and if I had
have included them all there just wouldn't have been room.
* * * * *
I leave you with this question...
HACK?