Why Software Piracy is Good for Microsoft

jcphil writes "Salon has an article that explains why Microsoft has toned down its anti-piracy actions in China and other developing markets. The answer is simple: due to the network effect, the more users you have, the greater your strength in the marketplace. And it doesn't matter if their Windows is pirated or not. So, in effect, software piracy in countries like China helps Microsoft to compete with Linux." Meanwhile, the RIAA doesn't feel the same logic applies to record sales in the U.S., and has started an ad campaign to convince the public that sharing music hurts artists.

This is a marketing stratagy for Autodesk

[Brigadier]

In my field (architecture) AutoCAD has pretty much the monopoly, despight other packages such as ArchiCAD, Microstation and DataCAD. Why ? It's simple, this is the tool that everyone knows. By filling schools and colleges with thier software and having student version for little and nothing ($200 for a AutoCAD12,3DStudio,AA package)the only software package that anyone knows is AutoCAD. Since it's very expensive to train someone to use a new software package proficiently can costs upards of $3000 most employers just settle with AutoCAD even though it may not be the best or cheapest package.

Re:Download Music, Hurt Nelly?

[srvivn21]

Same song:

What use is being at the bar/
if you ain't hittin' the bottles?

What good is the fame/
if you ain't fuckin' the models?

I see you drivin' sports cars/
and ain't hittin' the throttle,

And I be down doin' a hundred/
top down in goggles.

It may not be art to you, but I find it clever. IMO it's more creative than four and a half minutes of silence. I also don't understand taking one small piece of a one song designed for radio airplay (and hence probably not his most "artistic" work) and judging artistic worth on that.

On the other hand, "Hot in Here" is the only worthwhile song on the CD.