I find it somewhat amusing in a sad way that I launch your LimeWire software for the first time and I am presented with a dialog that talks about the blood sweat and tears going into this program and Ishould pay you money to upgrade to the PRO version. Why would I do that when I could just as easily look for a pirated version (with your software) and get a serial number right along with it? Just for an FYI, I work for a software company and I was exploring just how easily it is for people to still our own software. If you think people use this for any other purpose than piracy, you are sadly mistaken.

A Software Employee

Um, sorry, but are you a complete idiot?

LimeWire is OPEN SOURCE! Anyone can get the source code and compile it themselves FOR FREE! No one expects that the "Pro" version uses some sort of uncrackable protection. That would be plain silly when anyone can make and distribute a perfectly legal alternate version. The idea behind any shareware is that honest users will contribute not because they're forced to, but because they wish to support the product. Now maybe you're not honest, but that's not the developer's problem. You can't pirate free software.

Sadly as far a LimeWires goes, I feel they would have done much better if they tried their Pro version before going the spyware route. You're far less likely to have the support of your users after selling them out to the ScumWare pushers.

after a few reads of your post (first guy) I realize that you are saying that people use limewire for sharing pirated software. You say that they could easily use LW to find a free PRO limewire. The reply addressed this, but as to the filesharing concept itself:


People do share software with filesharing programs. It is a hotly debated issue. The only protections software developers have from people sharing software is: 1. risk of viruses or trojans; 2. pirated versions are usually buggy; 3. you can use the serial codes, but you can't register the software, thereby missing tech support, updates/patches, and plug-in-type additions; 4. new protections that prevent copying software.

However, most people (the vast bulk) use filesharing programs to download mp3's. A few use them to download movies. The music and movie industies have little to worry about here:

MP3's are lousy-quality files, in the same arena as tapes dubbed off the radio. Basically mp3's are a way to sample a CD before buying it.

Similarly, anyone who wants to download and watch a pixelated, 700 megabyte movie is welcome to it. You can rent them at blockbuster for $3.00.

There is a url link in Alt.hackintosh to download the PRO version for free directly from LimeWires sales server. Enough said!

ok yah the first dude is right but i mean i feal for the programmers i have jaked around with code and it is not easey and lime wire is the best gnutell client out there and it needs a coppel more fetures and it iwll be better then morphus well now it is because the morhuse ot now blows!

a some what satified user
Michael Brooks

Well anyone can say that thier sharing the files obtained here, but it really comes down to your values.
I understand the programers view...I don't believe they understand ours.
I understand the music industries view...I don't believe they care about ours.
I also see the view of the movie industry...again they don't really give a D**n about us.
See this is what happens when large conglomerates allow thier personal need for wealth and power to corrupt all around them.
They blame it on you and me and our wages and what ever else...but they start the cycle and then cry later.
The jibberish about open code is just that...and its kinda insulting to the first gut because he said nothing really about the Lime Wire program that wasn't obvious.
The second guy was equally correct but made a mountain out of a mole hill and burried the real issue.
The bottom line is this folks...software is way over priced due to competition and very poor marketing and packaging techniques.
And as far as entertainment is concerned thier so weathy no one has a sympathetic ear for them at all, further more its a prooven fact time and time again that they gain prosperity by peer to peer sharing...and that all the complaining is just a ploy for more advertisement.

Here are some links to support what Nevana just espoused so well:

Don't be conned by the record company execs arguments in the Napster case - <A HREF="http://groups.google.com/groups?q=napster&start=10&hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&oe=ISO-8859-1&as_qdr=m&selm=2u6c8.19092%24P21.1794386%40newsre ad1.prod.itd.earthlink.net&rnum=12">they're just as guilty themselves of ripping artists off</A> (now why isn't that news?")

... and <A HREF="http://groups.google.com/groups?q=napster&hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&oe=ISO-8859-1&as_qdr=m&selm=3C77A91C.14F140B7%40hiwaay.net&rnu m=6">Napster are entitled to sue the record companies for antitrust!</A>