Math Tool Liscence Ethics...

[cosine]

Hey, I have sort of an ethical problem here...

I really want a math software toolkit such as Mathematica, Matlab, or Maple, but they are very expensive (drop at least 100 bucks easy, 130 for Mathematica). I hate to take things without a liscence, I appreciate the work of the creators of the projects and think they should be payed reasonably for their work. But those prices are insane (and yes I know other software reaches into hundreds, even thousands of dollars, and that is insane too). I just can't afford it. I checked what liscences my school has, and they can run 50 copies of Matlab at any given time on one of the computers in the department building. I would have to go through a long process and even after this the situation is extremely inconvienient. Is it ethical to download an unliscenced version of the software? Thanks very much, I look foward to hearing all points of view.

[ecoli]

is stealing ethical? That's pretty much what you're asking. It depends on the person. If you can justify it to yourself, then go for it. Afterall, I know that you would only use these programs to benefit mankind. I'm sure I would download the software... but don't ask me, I'm writting this from prison.

 

ok, bad joke. sorry.

[cosine]

is stealing ethical? That's pretty much what you're asking. It depends on the person. If you can justify it to yourself' date=' then go for it. Afterall, I know that you would only use these programs to benefit mankind. I'm sure I would download the software... but don't ask me, I'm writting this from prison.

 

ok, bad joke. sorry.[/quote']

 

Sort of, so either I could have an unliscenced copy, or no copy at all. Is the latter more "correct" than the former?

[ecoli]

you really have to make your own desicions when it comes to morality. If you know its stealing but think its worth the risk, then try getting an unliscenced copy. Personally, if I knew that there was little chance of getting caught, I'd probably download it or borrow a copy from a friend, but not register it.

 

however, I would never, in my right mind, shoplift. Its so much easier, morally, when you can't see who you're stealing from.

 

For example a P2P server is sharing information between people, is that really stealing? Since when can we not buy, say a pot, and let a friend borrow it to make a meal. Then why not let your friend use your pot, make a mold of it to make one for herself. I honestly can't see why this is immoral. Are you stealing the plans of the "pot" from the company?

[Xyph]

If you wouldn't buy it for the full price anyway, it's not like any profit is being lost from you downloading it. I doubt there'd be that much extra profit made from your application to get a shared license of some kind from your school either.

 

There's really very little chance of getting caught, if that would be a factor in your decision... It's not a physical product. Although I agree there might be some ethical ambiguity here, if it's the choice between no copy and a downloaded copy, I don't see any problem with choosing the latter. I would do it.

[ecoli]

If you wouldn't buy it for the full price anyway, it's not like any profit is being lost from you downloading it.

 

hmm... that's an interesting concept, Xylph. I've never thought about it that way before.

[cosine]

hmm... that's an interesting concept, Xylph. I've never thought about it that way before.

 

Yeah thats what I was trying to say. Either I get an unliscenced copy or none at all. Does the latter benefit anyone as opposed to the former?

[RyanJ]

Yeah thats what I was trying to say. Either I get an unliscenced copy or none at all. Does the latter benefit anyone as opposed to the former?

 

This is the problem faced by all sodtware companies - if they change their software will be made free or keygens will be provided for it. There is no escaping it - everysoftware gets cracked in the end.

 

Basically, its the same with Microcrap, they sell their goods at way too high a price so people don't buy it and then use a keygen or have the system unlocked. I do not cinsider this steeling for two reasons, the first is they overchanrge, the second is I think all software should be free for everyone to use and change, I personlly write little programs and I make them free so, wht shouldent everyone else?

 

Like was stated in this thread it depends on you - if they chanrge more thn I think its worth then I would download the program anyway. I actually have this Mathematica on this computer but my father actulaly baught this copy and I just payed for the upgrade. If I did not have some money spare then I would have just downloaded the newsted version and installed that instead

 

Cheers,

 

Ryan Jones

[shmoe]

I hate to take things without a liscence, I appreciate the work of the creators of the projects and think they should be payed reasonably for their work.

 

Does your desire to not pay outweigh this belief?

 

It's stealing, there's no two ways about it. You're getting a product you didn't pay for. If you're ok with that, go ahead and download. Otherwise pony up the cash or go without.

 

I checked what liscences my school has, and they can run 50 copies of Matlab at any given time on one of the computers in the department building. I would have to go through a long process and even after this the situation is extremely inconvienient..

 

Is there any way you can log into your department remotely and access matlab that way? (This is possible at my department)