James Wages
Sun, 04 Sep 2005 17:16:00 -0700
On 9/5/05 1:15 AM, "Mel" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > obsolete software (E.G. selling or > using WORD v 2 or 3 or 4 or 5; selling or using EXCEL > v 2.2, 3. 4. etc)
In the case of large corporations that are still around (like Adobe, MS,
etc.), I would steer clear of swapping that software under the label of
abandonware. These firms like to pounce because they have nothing better to
do. And MS still sells software under than name "Excel" and "Word"
(regardless of whether the current versions are incompatible with 68k Macs).
My definition of "abandonware" encompasses software that is "obsolete" (more
than 10 years old) and is no longer sold/supported/managed/watched-after by
any owner. It's my contention that abandonware should be legal for small
communities of "obsolete" computer users to tap, as a last resort.
With that said, keep in mind that sometimes companies come along a purchase
"rights" to old software from companies that go insolvent, and they then
kill the technology (for, in my opinion, "foolish business reasons"). Most
of these companies couldn't care less about the technology, which again,
doesn't make a bit of sense (I say this as a business owner who would never
do something so stupid). Other companies may buy the technology so they can
rework it to re-sell in a different form (like making the technology work on
cell phones and the like), but those companies are a minority.
If you're looking for old software, it's best to try to buy ("re-license") a
copy off EBAY. But again, you risk buying junk because many floppies have
bad blocks now (20 years after they were made). However, you could gain
some "sentimental value" in having the original disks and manuals.
You may also want to write some companies, if they are still around, and see
if they will help meet your need. It's a long shot, but its ethically
proper to try that.
A final approach is to "google" the term "abandonware" and tap that resource
as a last resort.
Another important fact to consider is that many Mac users are just like me
-- you owned a Mac 128k back in '84 and you bought a lot of software that
went bad over time. For many years I didn't have a hard drive because they
were too expensive. And some of the software I bought was copy protected,
so I couldn't make backups (even with Copy II Mac). And so the floppies
went bad, and now I can't use the software, and the original company who
once sold/supported it went bankrupt years ago!
In such a case, online abandonware resources can come in handy. You've
already paid for the software anyway; and while the legal-beagles will argue
with me on this point, the fact is, "obtaining a refurbished copy" of what
you've already paid for is within the realm of "good ethics, good morals"
and *should be* legal under "fair use rights."
But again, "mammon" rules the world. And big corporations have lots of
that. And in the eyes of the law, the little people with little cash
usually get the shaft in terms of the law. Another complication is "what
law?" You may not live in Canada or the US, so it may be perfectly legal
for you to download "abandonware."
In conclusion, please keep in mind that this discussion should never
encourage outright pirating of software that is still sold and supported.
But it should work to stimulate some real thought on the issue of
"abandonware." Certainly, I would much rather *USE* my System 6 Mac than
spend all day talking about whether its morally, ethically or legally wrong
for me to refurbish my original copy of MacAttack from an abandonware site!
The primary aim here is to keep the classic Mac community alive and kicking.
That's what it's all about.
Best,
James Wages
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