Jason Aller Floppy Collection/182.img/AIRBFIRM.ZIP/2PIRATES.USA

Text File | 1990-05-08 | 8KB | 143 lines

   !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
   !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE READ THIS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
   !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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 Editorial by The Knack:
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DISCLAIMER:
      The following are just some thoughts running through my head that
I think may be important to us ALL, please read on...


                      Keep American Pirating FREE!!!


      In Europe, there are no software Copy Protection laws such that we
have in America, probably the reason why there's not much good software
either, and if it is good, you can be sure that it is laden with Copy
Protection of all kinds.  Somehow a Pirate BBS system has developed over
there that is quite different from ours.  The sysops there consider their
venture in BBSing a business, they charge users for access, some charge by
files others by time, this is a COMMON thing in Europe.  The sysops have
(but not necessarily) some expenses outside of running the computer, like
overseas phone calls to USA boards and/or overseas postage.  This market
probably developed from simple economics, not much software in Europe (IBM
wise) or good quality so our (American) programs are in high demand, some
ass decided to take advantage of this, others followed, thus creating a
new Pirate BBS Community.  To be honest, for the most part, it's not
pretty.  Imagine yourself trying to keep track of users who've paid and
who hasn't and all that.  The damn competition between the Euro boards
(competition for paying users that is) is turning the whole system into a
"Mafia" type scene (from what I hear anyway), I'm sure you can imagine.
Newest developments are AMERICAN crackists and Sysops/BBSer's exchanging
files and performing services for these overseas pirates for US Dollars,
yes, these guys (sysops in Europe) are willing to pay us to crack their stuff
and send our software, no bullshit and things are progressing rapidly as
more and more cross-Atlantic links are made.

      I'm sure that someone more educated about economics and familiar
with pirating can explain this phenomena much better, but I do know this,

                         IT COULD HAPPEN TO US!!!

      In roads have already been made with organizations like "DEPBA"
and others.  Also, look at the THG cracking group, requiring money from
it's members/supporters as a "Software Purchasing" fee.  That's fine and
dandy in theory, but who knows how it really works, who's getting paid and
who's not, I DO know that new software has been immediately available
without ANY purchase since the beginning of Copy Protection.  I don't
know, that's their business I guess and is NOT the target of this message.
The point is, as I have already said, I have seen MANY changes in the
IBM/AMIGA pirate community in the last year and I believe that honorable,
hard working, giving pirates such as myself could be extinct sometime in
our near future, in our place will be feuding alliances of pirate BBS's run
by evil, greedy people.  But sooner or later they would drive themselves
out, along with the whole damn gaming industry cause people would stop
pirate BBSing since either way they're gonna pay, at least the store gives
you a manual.  And/or the government will move quicker on enforcing Copy
Protection laws (that ball is already rolling).  God knows what effect this
would have on the whole PC industry software AND hardware.

           To me, the underlying premise of Pirating is simple:

       Free software with NO obligations, for the enjoyment of all.

      I'm not against contributions, that's the American way, support
you favorite BBS and/or pirate organization in what ever ways you can.
It's like the buddy system, I can crack, I'll do it for you.  Maybe you
have time to write dox or distribute files or obtain new warez or just
help other users enjoy the warez, whatever.

             But there's NO RULES!  Only honor among thieves!

      From my end, and many other sysops/crackists/suppliers it can be a
thankless job.  If I added up all the time I spent cracking, BBSing,
testing, doc writing, thinking about pirating etc. I could easily label
myself insane since I have received only knowledge and experience in
return.  But that's not my attitude, I'm grateful for the experience and
it will payoff in my future of computer programming, and most of all I
know that this is my hobby, something I enjoy and I do not ask for
anything in return.  The ego trip and competition only serves to make
things more interesting but we ALL should realize that's this is just a
GAME and NOT SO SERIOUS!  And I apologize to anyone that I have offended,
I hope you can understand that's part of the game but still relatively
meaningless as far as life goes.  Concerning crackists, whether with The
-=FiRM=- or other groups, I can relate my attitude by telling the story of
the two kings, whom every year would spare no expense or trouble to send the
other a BIGGER and BETTER birthday gift, a simple game of talent, wit and
character only serving to drive each of us to our full potential, but in
the end ALL FOR FUN!!! ( <- that's the important part ).  Keep pirating,
as long as you still enjoy it!


      A final note on some other VERY SERIOUS matters.  Phreaking and
Carding are becoming more and more dangerous.  People are going to JAIL,
and I've seen it happen.  Everyone knows my stand on drugs, well I feel the
same way here.  People that tell you Carding and Phreaking(hacking too)
are the most "elite" forms of illegal computer related activities are as
evil as drug dealers and pushers.  If you're reading this and laughing,
you'd better think twice about your life and why you are alive today on
this earth before it's your turn for an extremely RUDE awakening.  I'm
mostly concerned about Carding, the latest craze.  By now you've all read
about the "Legion of Doom" busts and familiar with the new technologies
being used against phreakers and hackers, well the same things are
happening for Carders, only much quicker.  I can't say much to those
centering their lives around these activities right now, you won't change
no matter what I say, and I'm not so sure I want you to since you are the
ones keeping the law away from us petty pirates, the feds are looking for
you, not me.  But for those of you thinking of Carding, DON'T!  All the
big mail order houses are very wise now, and tricky too, they are
cooperating with local authorities and UPS not just to deter you, but to
bust you.  You'll know what I'm talking about when you approach you
delivery point or P.O. box and find some new friends there who really want
to meet you.  You'll never get credit, decent employment or respect besides
spending time in prison.  Most of all, even if don't Card or Phreak,
sooner or later the Carding/Phreaking/Hacking SUPPORTERS (sysops, BBSer's,
etc.) will also be prosecuted, beware of your so called friends!


      In closing I would like to say that yes, it's hard for me to
condemn Carding/Phreaking and be a pirate at the same time.  But I can also
say that when the day comes that pirating is no longer a fun game, it'll
also be the last day of The Knack...

To all the crackist, sysops, BBSer's and every pirate of any kind on all
platforms, I say THANKS!!!  You hard work and excellence has not gone
unnoticed by me!

Regards,

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May 7, 1990 - One year of IBM cracking!