> But the distinction is there, I just bought a B&W G3 on eBay, it had a wiped > System Folder as is the rules. So I had to buy an OS for it...
I'm sensing great legalism here, and butt-covering disclaimers, and all that nonsense. That Mac came with an OS, so if it gets sold on to someone else, they should get, minimum, the same OS as what it came with as of new. If the owner bought extra software, including a newer version of the OS, then that, too, should be able to be supplied with the machine (for example if the owner is changing from Carbon to Classic, or to an another OS, and has bought entirely new copies (not upgrades) of the software for whatever the new platform is). With the danger of issues of pirate software being left on the machine (especially shareware goodies), it would seem fair for the owner to erase the hard disc and only install copies of what he or she is selling with the machine. But then, you're left with the possibility of the owner retaining copies of those programs. Now, who is at fault there? Presumably the new owner is not, as he or she has the legal copies of the software. I guess eBay just want no part in any disputes and just make up rules to cover themselves. > that doesn't make it any less the machine, I could put my own hard drive in it > and go. Right...I'd put my Mac LC SCSI drive into a StarMax, or my 486's drive? I'd not only lose the other machine, but I'd have nothing of any use on the StarMax. Without an OS, the machine is useless, and there's little going for Macs, or even PCs. What else would one offer them, or have them use? PPC Linux or FreeBSD (beyond their ability, most likely)? BeOS (dead)? I don't a lot of people would even want to buy a computer with no OS - too much hassle trying to find one. I just get a feeling that there is too much legalism and insanity going on - the world may be (and, of course, is) like that, but that doesn't make it right. It also seems like most people here don't see the distinction between extra software bought separately, and software that came with the machine. In any case, I also think that it would be OK for someone to burn me a new copy of my Worms 2 CD for the PC - one of the audio tracks is damaged by scratches. I have an official CD, and I think that it's fair (even if the law doesn't, and the law would be unfair) that I have a copy of the CD. Now, where it starts getting hazy is what I do with the spare copy - I should keep it in the box and leave it there, but you can see where I'm going with that. Same as if I got a copy of someone else's CD if I lost my own - perfectly fair, I feel, but were I to find the original... The law seems to prevent people from doing what is wrong, but in order to ensure that is the case, it might prevent people from doing what is acceptable at the same time, as it seems here. A pity. -- StarMax is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... / Buy books, CDs, videos, and more from Amazon.com \ / <http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect-home/lowendmac> \ Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> StarMax list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/starmax.html> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/starmax%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Mac? Free email & more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com
