Some of you may be familiar with the 'beta scene', in which pre-release software is discussed and distributed. People new to the scene are often surprised not to find final pirated software there, claiming leaked betas are just the same as leaked finals, or 'warez is warez'. Many (if not most (if not all)) of you are intimately aware of what I'm referring to; what are your opinions on it? One can only be called a hypocrite so many times before putting serious thought into the subject, and realizing that one's moral and/ or ethical high ground is not as unassailable as first appears...

pfft, when i hear people i wish that i could fly over to them and SMACK them

It's an interesting question, though. Excluding authorized testers, MS didn't exactly give a majority of the public consent to view the fruits of their code, and in particular to show off features long before they were ready for use. Some would even say that those that distribute betas give other companies a competitive edge over MS.

It is a good repeating question. I would consider Retail products Warez, thus Betas/alphas not being warez.

I think the broader question this brings up is this: What is warez really? Some say it's simply retail software, yet this definition is too vague to fit some of the things it has become applied to. Personally I support a different definition: illegal software. By this definition, however, betas, using trials beyond their limits, and other things also fall under the catagory of warez.

That's the point I'm trying to get at. If you download Half-Life 2 off BitTorrent, I think we would all agree that that is 'warez'. But what about downloading 'The Incredibles' or the new Eminem album off eMule? Or the latest leaked Longhorn build off IRC? Or even something like the Paris Hilton video? I think most people who would argue that betas are not warez do so based on the fact that the beta in question is not Final, RTM, or otherwise finished product. However, unless it's an open beta, you're still using software you have no legal right to. Microsoft (or whatever comapny) releases software to a select control group of beta testers, primarily to make sure there is a proper bug reporting process. With that in mind, i would consider betas to be warez, but only in the same sense that jaywalking is a crime.

Though it may not sound like it, I support the 'betas scene'. I think it's neat to be able to try out new software, and I think the companies involved may not actively endorse it, but they are definitely aware of it and do get feedback from it (via chats and forums). I do not support the greater understanding of warez though. If the product has gone to the retailers and you still want to use it, crack open your wallet.

True, but The developers have to relise when they release to people, it gets leaked. It's not like they are doing they're job against it..

and the real question is: Do you think i care *lmao*. Its not like if someone downloads a beta, and they like it they are going to keep on using it after beta. beats dont run so well, they are more like toys. but if you try a beta and like it you are more inclined to buy it when it goes RTM. Mickysoft would disagree with me on this but the truth is that they dont lose any money/profit when people download/use leaked betas/alphas. You would have to be out of your mind to keep using a beta after it RTM's *unless it is unlike most betas wich shouldent be used "seriously"*.

well there it is: my 2 cents...

In the light of the Halo 2/GTA SA/HL2 leaks... I really do not know what to think.

THE HALO 2 LEAK!?!?! I have it! no wait. just kidding. You never heard me say that!

No seriously. There was a Halo 2 leak! wow.

halflife 2 kicks halo2 ass im sorry but its a fact.