The ethicz of warez

So, I found on the 'net a CD image of Microprose's old "Magic: The Gathering" computer game, complete with both expansion sets, and patched to run under Windows XP.

w00t! (as they say)

Now, I don't feel bad about this, as I originally purchased the game, and all the expansions (not to mention the fact that the game has long since vanished from general distribution and even Atari's support of the game at this point seems unofficial); however, I'm under no illusions as to the dubious nature of the found image in general.

It seems to me this is one of those situations where one can, perhaps, be ethically sound but legally unsound.

But anyway, I'm having fun filling up my breaktime with Scathe Zombies, Shivan Dragons, and the like...

The ethicz of warez

So, I found on the 'net a CD image of Microprose's old "Magic: The Gathering" computer game, complete with both expansion sets, and patched to run under Windows XP.

w00t! (as they say)

Now, I don't feel bad about this, as I originally purchased the game, and all the expansions (not to mention the fact that the game has long since vanished from general distribution and even Atari's support of the game at this point seems unofficial); however, I'm under no illusions as to the dubious nature of the found image in general.

It seems to me this is one of those situations where one can, perhaps, be ethically sound but legally unsound.

But anyway, I'm having fun filling up my breaktime with Scathe Zombies, Shivan Dragons, and the like...

LJ Interests meme

(swiped from thebitterguy and maliszew)

LJ Interests meme results

1. boardgames:
   I've always been a fan of boardgames, but I found a little gem called "Settlers of Catan" when Mayfair first published an English version. After a brief moment of weekend-sleepless-boardgaming insanity, I became hooked, and have been almost single-handedly supporting my local purveyor of German-style boardgames ever since...


2. harry shearer:
   Because I'm in cubeville now at work and thus always looking for headphone material, and because I discovered that Harry Shearer had a radio show (who knew? apparently lots of folks), I started listening to his entire internet archive. I've finally caught up, and cherish his weekly newsletter arrivals like a warm cuppa.


3. jack vance:
   Jack Vance is my favourite author when I'm in a mood to read ornate whimsy. I think the first book I read of Vance's was Lyonesse. I don't know why I tried it: it had a pretty cover, no doubt. But from page 10 I was hooked, and have been devouring Vance ever since. I'm fighting the urge to spend this year's bonus (and last year's bonus) on the complete Vance library project... (oooh! leather bound Vancian goodness!)


4. kirsty maccoll:
   Why is it that the musicians I really like listening to always have limited careers? Kirsty's was cut short by a maniacal motor boater in Mexico as she saved the life of her son. Another reason to hate motor boats (as if we needed one). Bastard thing deprived us of a unique voice (literally and figuratively).


5. movies:
   I am a moderate movie junkie with a gourmandiste palate. I like everything from camp and sleaze (Russ Myer did some very interesting stuff once you get past the bouncing boobies) up to high-art as long as the director's having fun (von Trier's Element of Crime and Kingdom, but Breaking The Waves not so much). Probably my favourite directors visually come from the east: Kurosawa, Chen Kaige, Wong Kar Wai, Ronny Yu, Corey Yuen, Zhang Yimou, although Ridley Scott and David Fincher are also favourites. For dialog and plotting, I'll take Mamet, please. Favourite movie of all time? The Third Man, without question. Except when it might be The Thirty Nine Steps. They're sort of two sides of the same coin really -- do you want a happy ending or a melancholy one?


6. rpgs:
   Yes, I play rolegames. No I am not an unwashed nerd. There is a small community of us that fit into both categories, and thankfully I have found a few others to play with. My favourite games of the moment: HERO, HeroQuest, Burning Wheel, whatever Robin's running at the moment (because being in his group is fun and a great diversion from my work-week). Games that look very interesting but I have yet to put into the field: Artesia, Reve, the new Usagi and Albedo games, Orpheus, Pendragon, the new WFRP.


7. science fiction:
   My tastes in SF are not confined to a particular sub-genre. I tend to like what I think is "well written", rather than a particular type. Some of my favourite authors are: Le Guin, Dan Simmons, Robert Charles Wilson, Greg Egan. Vance and Wolfe deserve their own separate interest entries.


8. shriekback:
   I have loved their sound from the first listen. Allmusic's comment on them is interesting, and very well taken: their best stuff is sprinkled throughout their career, rather than loaded up on just one or two albums. I'm still trying to get my hands on digital versions of Jam Science (or as much material from it as I can get; i.e. a copy of Natural History) with little success, but I've got just about everything else. I haven't yet bought stuff post-Sacred City, because I'm less of a fan of Barry Andrew's synth musings than I am of Dave Allen's ferocious bass-work. But I'll get 'em eventually.


9. steven erikson:
   Steve Erikson is probably my favourite fantasy author just at the moment (I wouldn't call Crowley, Vance, nor Wolfe fantasy per se). Sure he's dense, and sure he's very "military" in tone. But his books are rich with detail, ornate in their world background, and very immersive once you get dipped in. Highly highly recommended if, for example, you like Glen Cook; Cook is your BA, Erikson is grad school. Keep writing Steve!


10. the sundays:
    Aarrrghh! Only three albums! Please, please, please, record again! 'nuff said.

Enter your LJ user name, and 10 interests will be selected from your interest list.

LJ Interests meme

(swiped from thebitterguy and maliszew)

LJ Interests meme results

1. boardgames:
   I've always been a fan of boardgames, but I found a little gem called "Settlers of Catan" when Mayfair first published an English version. After a brief moment of weekend-sleepless-boardgaming insanity, I became hooked, and have been almost single-handedly supporting my local purveyor of German-style boardgames ever since...


2. harry shearer:
   Because I'm in cubeville now at work and thus always looking for headphone material, and because I discovered that Harry Shearer had a radio show (who knew? apparently lots of folks), I started listening to his entire internet archive. I've finally caught up, and cherish his weekly newsletter arrivals like a warm cuppa.


3. jack vance:
   Jack Vance is my favourite author when I'm in a mood to read ornate whimsy. I think the first book I read of Vance's was Lyonesse. I don't know why I tried it: it had a pretty cover, no doubt. But from page 10 I was hooked, and have been devouring Vance ever since. I'm fighting the urge to spend this year's bonus (and last year's bonus) on the complete Vance library project... (oooh! leather bound Vancian goodness!)


4. kirsty maccoll:
   Why is it that the musicians I really like listening to always have limited careers? Kirsty's was cut short by a maniacal motor boater in Mexico as she saved the life of her son. Another reason to hate motor boats (as if we needed one). Bastard thing deprived us of a unique voice (literally and figuratively).


5. movies:
   I am a moderate movie junkie with a gourmandiste palate. I like everything from camp and sleaze (Russ Myer did some very interesting stuff once you get past the bouncing boobies) up to high-art as long as the director's having fun (von Trier's Element of Crime and Kingdom, but Breaking The Waves not so much). Probably my favourite directors visually come from the east: Kurosawa, Chen Kaige, Wong Kar Wai, Ronny Yu, Corey Yuen, Zhang Yimou, although Ridley Scott and David Fincher are also favourites. For dialog and plotting, I'll take Mamet, please. Favourite movie of all time? The Third Man, without question. Except when it might be The Thirty Nine Steps. They're sort of two sides of the same coin really -- do you want a happy ending or a melancholy one?


6. rpgs:
   Yes, I play rolegames. No I am not an unwashed nerd. There is a small community of us that fit into both categories, and thankfully I have found a few others to play with. My favourite games of the moment: HERO, HeroQuest, Burning Wheel, whatever Robin's running at the moment (because being in his group is fun and a great diversion from my work-week). Games that look very interesting but I have yet to put into the field: Artesia, Reve, the new Usagi and Albedo games, Orpheus, Pendragon, the new WFRP.


7. science fiction:
   My tastes in SF are not confined to a particular sub-genre. I tend to like what I think is "well written", rather than a particular type. Some of my favourite authors are: Le Guin, Dan Simmons, Robert Charles Wilson, Greg Egan. Vance and Wolfe deserve their own separate interest entries.


8. shriekback:
   I have loved their sound from the first listen. Allmusic's comment on them is interesting, and very well taken: their best stuff is sprinkled throughout their career, rather than loaded up on just one or two albums. I'm still trying to get my hands on digital versions of Jam Science (or as much material from it as I can get; i.e. a copy of Natural History) with little success, but I've got just about everything else. I haven't yet bought stuff post-Sacred City, because I'm less of a fan of Barry Andrew's synth musings than I am of Dave Allen's ferocious bass-work. But I'll get 'em eventually.


9. steven erikson:
   Steve Erikson is probably my favourite fantasy author just at the moment (I wouldn't call Crowley, Vance, nor Wolfe fantasy per se). Sure he's dense, and sure he's very "military" in tone. But his books are rich with detail, ornate in their world background, and very immersive once you get dipped in. Highly highly recommended if, for example, you like Glen Cook; Cook is your BA, Erikson is grad school. Keep writing Steve!


10. the sundays:
    Aarrrghh! Only three albums! Please, please, please, record again! 'nuff said.

Enter your LJ user name, and 10 interests will be selected from your interest list.