I think the choice "Only recent MSX products shouldn't be copied" is wrong. I mean, what I would really like to vote for it "everything that is still legally available shouldn't be copied", however that is unfortunately not in the list. So I chose for this option, but don't take me wrong, it is actually not what I wanted to vote for.

Games like Pumpkin Adventure 3 or Akin are pretty old already - I think about 8 years old. Yet they can still be purchased through Sunrise so I 100% don't agree on copying them, no matter how old they are. Especially those games actually, because they're so cool they're worth their money tenfold. And the price can't be an obstacle either, since it is very low.

I think the people with the most 'msx-spirit' will vote for this same option I did, because the first two choices are imho total bull, and "Only (ex)commercial products shouldn't be copied" makes no sense since there is often no other way of acquiring them (especially with English translations - or do you want me to patch my original Ys II disks?? ok I'll do that then - no hehe joking don't get scared so quickly). The last one, copy=crime makes no sense for the same reason.

However if that is the majority's opinion, then the same apparantly also goes for rereleases of old MSX-games through Egg or similar ventures. The games they sell there are after all very old, so does that mean I don't want to pay for them? Wouldn't that give the Egg people from Japan the wrong impression about whether such an initiative would be feasible here? Imho the option which is most generally accepted is not present in this poll, so I can't really choose faithfully to what I think.

In other words, I'm not really satisfied with the options this poll gives me.


~Grauw

The problem with a poll is that you have to put as many opinions in as little options as possible. Admit it, in most polls (well, maybe not the ones on msx.org but polls in general) you vote for the option that is closest to your own opinion. Also some of the polling options (or even questions) are subject to interpretations (our 'Why MSX' poll for instance ;P).

I understand your point of view, but I think we should keep the poll this way and add some nuances in our forums

It's no surprise, as almost every poll had people complaining about the options and/or the results (me included ^_^).

I don't know what by your definition 'the MSX-spirit' and good 'sense' is, but you know that everybody should vote Copy=Crime. Unfortunately people's morals aren't that politically correct.

I agree with the biggest part. I think everybody should vote for 'the copy is crime' option, though I can understand many people won't.

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The problem with a poll is that you have to put as many opinions in as little options as possible. Admit it, in most polls (well, maybe not the ones on msx.org but polls in general) you vote for the option that is closest to your own opinion. Also some of the polling options (or even questions) are subject to interpretations (our 'Why MSX' poll for instance ;P). I understand your point of view, but I think we should keep the poll this way and add some nuances in our forums

Well I think the poll options could just have been adjusted a little for the better, without adding a 6th option.


~Grauw

Like?

Copy is Crime seems to be a logical, simple and reasonable option, but it makes no difference between games that are no more available on the commercial circuit and games that you can still buy.

Another aspect of this very complex problem is the new life given by some companies (especially Konami) to great games, this on new platforms. If the game is still officially exploited, we must consider that copy of old version of this game is really in conflict with the interest of the copyright's owner.

In other words, it means that if the principe of the copyright remains unchanged, the life of the copyright can pass through different phases : very active , apparently inactive, again active. In the active phases, Copy is Crime is an evidence, but in the inactive phases, the only way to get a game is the copy ....

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Like?

- Anarchy baby, yeah! Just ignore the copyrights
- Only amateur products shouldn't be copied
- Only recent MSX products shouldn't be copied
- Only legally available products shouldn't be copied
- Copy = Crime. Copyrights must be respected

I would have removed "Only (ex)commercial products shouldn't be copied" since it is partially covered by the 'legally available' one, and partially by the copy=crime choice (the 'ex' part of it).

I don't there are much people who would buy commercial products, but copy amateur products, so they'll vote for the option I added, and let alone the people who spend (expensive) money on ex-commercial products, basically the collectors, they will vote for the copy=crime option.

And I think the distinction between people choosing for 'only recent' and 'legally available' would be pretty interesting to see.


~Grauw

I wouldn't be so sure.. There are tons of people that believe what people made in their free time should be free anyway. Just look around and you see them all over the place.

Although I shouldn't get into this discussion too deep, I do know the difference between 'available' software and 'recently released' software. If I would have released something 15 years ago, I do not (and should not) expect anyone to buy it today. That's because the remaining 'scene' already has it, legally or illegaly. But if I release something today (of good quality) I expect the whole scene to buy it. Just to support another MSX initiative. Ofcourse I shouldn't charge too much money for it.
So if for example Bombaman is finally finished, I will buy a copy of it. But I won't buy a copy of Moonblaster (again) for example. (in case anyone gets offended, I wouldn't buy FAC Soundtracker nor Fony's Musixx at this time too )

The way the poll is currently going makes me wonder what timespan someone would be using to decide recent software isn't recent anymore. A few months, a few years or are there people who think like PC development: once you bought a PC it has become not recent anymore, in short, a few hours or even a few minutes?

I think most people see 'recent' software as Grauw does. Software that is still for sale.

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But I won't buy a copy of Moonblaster (again) for example. (in case anyone gets offended, I wouldn't buy FAC Soundtracker nor Fony's Musixx at this time too )

The only Moonblaster for sale is the Moonblaster 1.4. And in the worst case you pay a small amount for an update e.g. IF IT WOULD BE MADE.
To be honest never ! But means today that it is still be copyrighted till the time we decide that is ready to make it e.g. freeware.
Due to perhaps a better program or better alternative you buy it or not
The other version is moonblaster for moonsound th recent version is simply free to download