In the past, most software I used was paid and proprietary and would have some sort of limitation that I would try to get around by any means possible. Sometimes that would be resetting the clock on my computer, disabling the internet, and other times downloading a patch.
But in the past few years I’ve stopped using those things and have focused only on free and open source software (FOSS) to fulfill my needs. I hardly have to worry about privacy problems or trying to lock down a program that calls home. I might be missing out on some things that commercial software delivers, but I’m hardly aware of what they are anymore. It seems like the trend is for commercial software providers to migrate toward online or service models that have the company doing all the computing. I’m opposed to that, since they can take away your service at any time.
What do you do?
FLOSS. 99% better anyway. Why would i pirate something else?
Okay. Maybe i would pirate games, but my laptop is old and games that run on it are 15 years old anyways and cost next to nothing.
Ironically, using FOSS software has made me respect what goes into making software, and made me more receptive to paying for commercial software. Back when I was using Windows I would not think twice about pirating something. Nowadays I consider the price vs cheaper/free alternatives and I buy the one that makes the most sense for me.
With games it’s similar, I paid for the vast majority of games I play. If a game is too expensive I can wait for a sale, luckily the PC gaming market still does that. Steam/Proton/WINE/DXVK etc. were a huge factor in making me pay for games, with the way it works so seamlessly on Linux. The only games I still pirate are the ones that can’t be obtained anymore (because the publisher went under or has intentionally taken them off the market).
i can relate to that. i’m still not sure if it’s that or just getting older. maybe both.