RE: Action Pack

["Graham Howe" <graham@xxxxxxx>]

100% of my work at the moment is web sites built using ASP and SQL Server
on
IIS, I think that qualifies as an MS platform. I  don't use any software
for
which I don't have a licence, my only crime at the moment is that I have MS
software installed on several of my own machines even though I only own one
copy (but of course I only use one at a time). Incidentally, I also own a
CD
version of every one of my 25Gb of MP3 files even though I am on the
'Distributed Audio' list.

However, all of this has been acquired at a time when I was earning a lot
of
money and could afford to buy things legitimately. I am now not in that
situation, I have not worked properly since the end of January and I don't
see how it is possible for me 'keep it legal' much longer.

Microsoft charges far too much for software, especially upgrades, that is
why they are so incredibly rich. I can only encourage a client to use their
software if I have experience of it myself, so it is a bit of a
predicament.
If I stop using MS software because I can't afford it and want to stay
legal, then my clients will not be buying their software either and MS will
lose revenue. If I steal a copy of their software and encourage the client
to buy copies then MS will gain revenue.

Although I would not call myself a software developer, I do develop
solutions for clients like web sites, database applications, word and excel
applications that do involve 'programming' and I would not be happy (even
though I could not prevent it) if the client then sold the code on. So I do
support keeping it legal, I pay for all the shareware I use for exactly
this
reason. In my opinion, the Action Pack represents a step in the right
direction, but it is still 199 quid too much. I would rather that MS gave
the software away free to those who they could identify as genuinely
generating sales on their behalf. It strikes me that the price here is may
be just offsetting the cost of the illegitimate users that will also be
attracted to the offer.

As Tim has just posted on this subject, I feel that I am 'morally right'
and
that rather than denying MS revenue, the net effect of my action is to
increase their revenue (and mine I hope). But I am breaking the strict
letter of the law and will no doubt continue to do so.

Regards

Graham