Software Piracy Reduction! Copyright 1988, 1989 by Timothy Rue Yes, the following includes a bit of incorrect spelling and even some poor grammer, but hey, it the idea/concept that's important. Besides, this is T.Rue'ly freeware (nobody paid me to do this!!!). Tim *********** This document may be distributed through and in any media, so long as it is kept in its entirety and no charge is presented or paid for it (except resonable cost of media in which it is distributed). In other words, It's FREE!!! And PLEASE do spread it around!!! Thanks. *************** Software Piracy results in negitives. A situation that seems to be collapsing upon itself with no solution, until perhaps now. Software Piracy--- 1). Takes income from software developers. 2). Takes software developers away from developing quality software. 3). Takes quality software away from computers. 4). Takes consumers away from computers. 5). Takes computer use away from industry and home. For computers to be more used in industry (and home) means for them to be made easier to use, explaining the trend or direction of the computer manufactures. But the hardware is only half of a system with the other half being the software, which also needs to be made easier to use, even more so than the hardware. A matter of profit to the companys that could use computer but don't due to problems with software (and hardware) that would and do cost money. A matter of ease of use and usefullness for the home user and their comfort. Certainly, a great number of small companys that cannot afford to make costly mistakes in the hope of profiting from the advantages of computers, simply don't use them. Perhaps because they cannot afford to deal with such additional costs as can be created by complexities that shouldn't exist in the first place and are contridictary to the advantages of computers. With the phone book listings of small Cabinet shops, one can verify the large number of shops that don't use a CAD package, perhaps due to the cost of obtaining a system (computer and software) that will be of real benifit in the areas it should and can be. 6). Takes some progress away from industry (including the computer industry). OK, so maybe it's not all this bad, but a little here and a little there does add up to produce an overall negitive effect. Or perhaps it is worst than thought, due to being short sighted, not seeing what doesn't exist, though could and/or could have. SOLUTION: (But no solution will work all the time!) Billions of dollars is spent each year on advertising. People who work (and play) with computers are looking at the monitor (and perhaps listening to the speaker). By directing some of the advertising dollar to software developers, advertisers get the opportunity to not only put there name in front of computer users but to give the user something to remember them for (quality software), while software developers gain a more reliable income (being immune to piracy). Advertisers will put their name on quality programs, researching what users consider quality and/or making additional use of knowledge already known from R&D of their product line(s), resulting in higher quality, more effective (useful), user oriented programs. Programs that may also educate/inform the user/consumer about the company/ advertisers product line. Piracy will be reduced as a result of elimination (at least in part) of the crime, due to "AD-Ware" or "Sponcer-Ware". Also Pirate- Crackers may be hired by Ad agencies to specialize in Software "ADd" work (adding the ads into the Programs, without being destructive to the programs or program "ease of use"). Such employed talent will be less likley to give their work and/or time away for free. In effect there will be a decrease in crackers (those who are good at not only breaking copy protection but adding their "mark" in artistic ways). And there's the effect that such talent leaving piracy/cracking will have on the rest, being a way to make money may very well cause less to do such for free (feeling they are being cheated?). As a result of Free and low cost quality software, the computer industry (and others that can benifit from computers) will turn the negitive "Effect" of piracy into a positive productive promotional tool. Real examples of how this could grow and effect industry and home are the realities of how TV and Radio has had effect. Free to consumer, TV and Radio programming, paid for by Advertisers - (this helps advertisers communicate information about their products to the consumers, otherwise who's going to buy what they don't know exist?). Such an example of an AD might be: A game of strip poker or other sexual oriented programs that contains an Ad for a company that produces and sells Prophylactics and spermicide (perhaps promoting SAFE SEX in more ways than one). Or (for versatility to ad agencys) the data disks are created for the individual company ads. Note: This example is given because the subject matter is a Big Seller and there is a world problem with AIDS. AIDS, which spreads similar to the spreading of pirated software. Being open about the subject matter has proven very helpful in combating AIDS. Another example: A Lumber company (or perhaps an Organization of national builders) hire/pay a programmer(s) to produce a CAD package that is complete, versatile, and easy to use. The package is then given to customers and potential customers (whom using it are able to cut some cost). Software support could come from the advertiser or by agreement from the software developer (though a quality program here will keep cost in software support to a minimum). The customer (being able to cut cost, produce more, make use of the advantages of computers - rather than just hear about possible advantages) will be much more inclined to purchase from the company, their woods or other building material or services. The advertisers name, address, phone number, etc... is where? Perhaps simply in the program credits under Sponcership. The Key, Innovation and Intergration: There are many variations with the general Idea presented here as is the advertising world of ideas, concepts, promotions, etc... Facing the fact that computers are indeed another (and perhaps the most versatile) communication tool of man. A tool that is not only evolving in quanity but also in quality. A communication tool that advertisers will and are using as they have all of the other tools of communication (not to mention the ability of advertisers to turn things into communication tools. ie balloons, small to very large - blimps). With such a versatile communication tool at hand it is even possible to produce "Interactive Ads" or "Expert System based Sales-ware". However, the end-user may be more interested in such programs that make their life easier, such as a "home checkbook" program, sponcered by their bank. Or a game to entertain the kids, sponcered by a company that makes cereal. And the office or shop worker interested in such programs that help their daily work, sponcered by suppliers of materials and/or services they use. The limits of the general idea presented here are determined by of course the computer manufactures and software programmers. But more so by the programmers, for it is the Software that makes computers not only useful but also what makes the computer industry grow. Software developers are the farmers that grow the feed the computer industry lives off of. And the advertising dollar is there to help feed the software developers. All of which needs consumers and are the consumers, whom eventually pay for the advertising. There is more than plenty of room for innovations in software development and by intergrating the interest of all involved it is more than possible to satisfy the needs of all involved, using the win-win attitude as a common objective and goal. Looking at Individual Objectives and Goals, the following classification is only one perspective. Those listed in one may also fit another, or perhaps a different classification structure would better fit your needs. Due to the many possible objectives, I leave blank the definitions of Individual goals, and realize their may be other concerned parties not listed (or perhaps not realized their place in list). The END-USER: Consumer (the end-payer) - SOFTWARE PRODUCTION: Crackers - Software Developers (programmers) - Software Marketers (the ad agencies)- SOFTWARE DISTRIBUTION: Software distributers (and book stores)- BBS's - (also support line?) Pirates - SOFTWARE SUPPORT & FUNDING: Advertisers (producers) - Why hasn't advertising been seen and used as a solution to piracy? In the advertising world there are many factors to take into account, one of which is the number of potential customers an ad or promotion WILL reach for the advertising dollar spent. Such software ads and promotions will and do take into account this factor. At the very base of this factor is the number of computers in use with the Operating System needed for the Ad-Ware, then the number of users of the proper OS that not only qualify as potential customers but CAN and WILL access such software (via modem, disk magazine, etc...). Once these and other factors are accounted for the number of potential customers reachable must be within the limits of the advertising budget for the selected promotion. *** The above is only a generalization of some of the factors that come into play in the world of advertising and by no means express any given formula for producing a successful promotion. The Science of advertising has evolved to be very well researched, tested, and applied, having estimatable results before promotion and measurable results during and after a promotion. *** To answer the question "Why hasn't advertising been seen and used as a solution to piracy?" is very difficult. Realizing such an answer could be as extensive as all the articles and proposed solutions to the problem of piracy along with all the complaints and proposed solutions to and about buggy, hard to use, software. So I feel very safe to answer with "I don't know!" as so many others have reguarding a solution to Piracy and Poor Programs. But there are those to talk about the problems and those who do what it takes to correct them (or make use of the problems and causes). Making the change and recognizing the exceptions ... As with all new ideas, there is the process of evolution that takes place and this concept/idea is certainly no exception. There is no complete solution to the piracy and poor programs problem, exceptions will always exist. However, the exceptions can amount to perhaps less than 20% of all software produced. Examples of some exceptions are such software that is it-self a product that requires such high cost in development and/or specialization in such a small field that it cannot be profitably funded by the advertising dollar. But the type of software we are dealing with here is that which can be funded by the advertising dollar and is determined by the many many different business and their advertising interest. {One need not be in a selected industry to purchase and use the products of that industry for advertising vehicles. Or, why would someone buy a product of an industry if it is being given away in advertising that industry? <- the dilemma of the software industry and how to promote a software package without giving it away!?} As a start at looking at the "available to the advertising dollar" software one need not look far. Though the Public Domain Library would not be a good place to find programs for ads (being available and spread without a sponcer results in its value to potential sponcers to vanish) it is a good place to see who can produce what. Also many programs are upgraded and such program improvements can regenerate the sponcer value (especially if the program is popular). Shareware is closely related to PD and is the midway point between Free and "Paid For" software. Another midway point in costs are the program listings in magazines (most magazines are paid for by both the advertisiers and consumers, as are most newspapers). Software that would have or require printed documentation with it might be paid for in a similar manner, shared between advertiser and consumer, or even software that has no printed documentation but has a high development cost. All in all, starting or doing things on a small scale first and letting the methods, technicalities, problems, solutions, etc... develope, evolve, grow will bring much more success than making big moves with hopes of consumer acceptance. Even consumer acceptance must evolve! New Ideas Applied - New Problems Generated. And If Columbus knew.... Would America have been discovered? In Closing... Perhaps there is more to consider than what is contained in this document. The idea is original, original in that I didn't get it from someone else. But put my head to work and thought it out, using the knowledge base I've aquired over the years. Unfortunatly, this knowledge base of mine doesn't include the knowledge of how I might personally directly financially benifit from this idea in such a manner I'd be in some control of it. Realizing alot of people can benifit, I think it would be wrong not to communicate the Idea. Being someone with good ideas but also realizing another type of pirating (that of ideas, which are more than difficult to protect, but near impossible unless hidden and never used) perhaps I'll benifit by the change in enviroment, in which I live, that the application of this idea/concept causes. To help in generating interest, I'm willing to keep record and evidence of responce to this document and will post responce totals as they change in meaningful amounts. Perhaps updating this document to included responce totals broken down into somewhat useful tables of information. So send me a postcard stating your interest (programmer, consumer, advertiser, distributer, etc...) and System(s) you use, along with maybe the type of work you do. And perhaps this will help in getting the attention of those in other positions to not only pay more attention to this contributing solution to the Problem of Piracy and Poor Programs, but to get involved in it. Including a return address is not needed unless you're interested in maybe ending up on mailing lists. Sending a SASE (Self Addressed Stamped Envelope) will result in your receiving the above mentioned responce totals via U.S. Mail (but if you do this please include the other info.). Sending an SASE will not put you on any mailing list (unless requested). Timothy Rue
Email: timrue@mindspring.com
Copyright © 1988, 1994, 1996 Timothy V. Rue