[kabelabs]

hey, don't thank me. thank the wonderful people here who have done all the work making it possible.

[lancorp]

Originally Posted by kabelabs

i don't think anyone was censored, at least i don't think any posts were removed..

Not true at all. I've participated in a discussion a couple of weeks ago--not saying piracy was sanctioned or not, but basically stating what I stated here, that it seems rather hypocritical of everyone to jump down the throats of people who hint at not having purchased OS X, due to reasons of morality, and all my posts were suddenly GONE and thread closed. Censorship--YES.

So, obviously, the moderators condone violation of the Apple/Mac OS X software agreement (the text which was posted by me earlier) by installing OS X on non-Apple hardware, but will have nothing to do with those who just want to try out a Hackintosh without the expensive cash outlay of purchasing the OS just to play with it.

Again, it's nobody's right to judge others here. To remind others to purchase OS X is one thing...to scold and condemn them to an after life of eternal damnation because they didn't purchase OS X is a whole other issue, and the one to which I object.

[STiMULi]

In my opinion, once I have purchased a product it is my right on how I wish to use it. If I desire to use the OSX 10.5.6 as a coaster it should be my right.

I believe that within reason it is a companies prerogative to "encourage" me to use it in the manner in which they designed it.

Apple has been known to render hardware or software crippled or useless because they have determined that the product was being used in a manner in which they did not design it for. iPhones that have been jailbroken are an example.

One day they may well design an upgrade to test for Apple Hardware and then render our Netbooks virtual bricks for a period of time afterward. Based on current case law that is within their rights to do so. We all hope that the opposite becomes true and perhaps they will see the light and allow the software to be licensed in the same manner as Windows or if we are very lucky, the way Linux is.

In the meantime we must respect the one copy one installation rule. I think that we should also respect the spirit of the Family Pack license and not use it in a manner to circumvent legitimate pricing. Buying one 5 license Family Pack copy of OSX 10.5.6 to share 4 copies with your friends is unethical in my mind.

The legality aspect comes into play when it is obvious that an installation has been performed without a legitimate copy being purchased.

Is it really even unethical to use the software on a machine that Apple did not design or build? If you are an Apple shareholder or Steve Jobs, you would say yes. If you are a lowly old computer owner and you have paid for all the items in question, you probably don't feel the slightest bit bad about it. I know I didn't.

I have, up to this time been involved in the purchase of 5 Dell Mini 9s, all for my family. My children, grandchild, my father and myself have been the benefactors of the hard work of the members on this site and my purchases. I have 1 single license copy of OSX 10.5.6 and one 5 license copy of OSX 10.5.6. So long as these machines are owned by my family members I have stayed both legal and ethical (at least in my mind). I may choose to buy one more Mini to install the MAC software and sell it. I will include my single user copy in the sell to be legal and also keep the new owner legal.

At that point I have no more rights to install the software on any other machine or I am breaking the law. If I choose to buy one more Mini after that I must buy a single user copy to go with it.

My point after all this is...

After having installed OSX from friends 5 pak, time goes by and you have become tired of your poor old Dell Mini. You decide to sell it. Would you think it would be fair to leave the OSX on the machine since it was installed under the family pack license but yet it will be separated from it's kin? Who knows... Maybe by then enough time has passed and you could claim "you forgot".

I know, it is splitting hairs.

As I said before, in my opinion, installing OSX on a Dell mini is the lesser of two evils when considering using an illegal copy or misuse of the Family Pack license to do so.

[kabelabs]

well said.

being a shareholder, i would rather people by the software and use it on a dell then not buy it and use it on a dell. truthfully, if you weren't going to buy a mac laptop or desktop, you weren't. whatever money apple gets from you, in the form of retail or family pack osx, or other software bought through a legitimate channel is revenue that apple did not expect. it's a plus for the business. when you pirate the software or borrow a copy, you aren't taking revenue from apple, you weren't going to buy it anyway, so it's not a gain or a loss, but if more and more people thought that borrowing or stealing was fine, apple development would only manage off it's mainline income. if you like the os and want to see better, whats it hurt to help out the company a little. more revenue means more money can be put into development. personally, money aside, i want to see apple stay in business. i rely on their software for a living, and i prefer them to the other choices.
i have no problem with OSX landing on non apple branded machines. why? because at some point some people that have hackintosh systems will or might buy an apple branded machine. do i think someone that would not even buy their own software would buy a machine, most likely no. but people who find the OS easy to use, powerful, and want to do more become or have the chance to become future apple owners. with as little market share as apple has, it's nice to see expansion. through any legitimate channel. Plus, as long as OSX isn't pirated as much, apple will remain fairly lenient on their registration process. i personally like having an OS i don't have to register online or by phone, type in a code and await approval. if people keep pirating, things will change. apple will start behaving like microsoft and their licensing and registration will change.



right or wrong, it is what it is. if you use it and like it, why not support it?

[CyG]

There's a practical problem with giving someone else a Mini with an install from a family pack-- they'll never be able to reinstall. That said, $130 is a good price for a Mini running OS X.

[lancorp]

I think we all agree on the point that the "right thing to do" is to buy a license of OS X for each Dell Mini 9 we put it on...I think when you buy it could still be up for debate, but regardless of how much each of you wants to rationalize, justify, think, feel, or in any other way make yourself feel righteous about putting it on a Dell Mini 9, the "letter of the law" states it isn't legal or right. A Dell Mini 9 is not Apple-branded hardware--PERIOD. So, my point here is, YES, we all should buy OSX if we are using it, just like any other software, but we needn't crucify those who haven't followed the "letter of the law" for we, ourselves, are really traveling down the same road by merely putting it on non Apple-branded hardware!

Maybe someone would like to call Apple and ask them "Hey, listen...I want to put OS X on my Dell. That's OK with you as long as I buy a boxed copy of Mac OSX, isn't it? After all, you're getting $130 in your pocket and it's better than me just stealing it, right?", and see what they say...

[STiMULi]

Originally Posted by lancorp

Maybe someone could like to call Apple and ask them "Hey, listen...I want to put OS X on my Dell. That's OK with you as long as I buy a boxed copy of Mac OSX, isn't it? After all, you're getting $130 in your pocket and it's better than me just stealing it, right?", and see what they say...

right on!