I've noticed, correct me if I'm wrong, but pirates are more abundant in Windows users than Mac users... I did a quick search and there's barely anything available for download on TPB for Mac (Just the usual big company name stuff), and tons for Windows.
Seems Mac users have no problem paying for the software they use, considering that it's not overpriced crap that costs $60. But decently priced like $4.99
The times when I used to erm "research" pirated software are long gone, so I naturally can't really say much about piracy differences between Mac and Windows. Back in 2002 when I switched after many years of Windows to the Mac, there was certainly far less.
It may be a question of price, though I also think that it could be a bout ease of buying. With the App Store people really only have to click twice to buy something. On Windows if you need a product as a solution to a problem, you need to go to different websites, compare their offers, everybody has a different payment provider, then you have to download and install. Really, I think that for many people pirating is not only cheaper but also far easier. And, since usually only good software is pirated, and not the crap, you don't even have to do so much research and cognitive burden to decide which offer to take. Other people already did that for you when they decided which one to pirate.
There're also studies though, where people find out that Mac users seem to be more inclined to pay for software. Maybe it's a question of initial price: When I pay a lot of money for a really good meal, I don't mind spending another 5 bucks for a great wine to accompany the taste of the meal. So if you spend quite some money for good (or perceived good, I don't want a Apple vs. others flamewar here) hardware, you might also want to spend a bit more on software.
Right now in Münster, Germany. Being a small student city prices are really reasonable. In the student's cafe you can get a complete meal (example: pasta with chicken and yoghurt and salad) for 2.20 Eur. Add 70 cent for a water and you have a 3 eur meal. Now, they also have high quality wok food or special foods, these are usually 3 Eur or 3.50 eur :)
In most european countries, student's food is state subsidized, that explains the fantastic prices.
I believe it is the history of the Mac. Mac users want good software and since the number of Mac developers is equal to the ratio of Mac:Windows users you had fewer choices so users were incentivized to pay developers, or else development dried up. On the other hand since there are so many Windows users and Windows developers it's a perpetual race to the bottom.
For example, you have no shortage of Windows text editors that are free. For the Mac your only real option is TextWrangler.
Even though I think that VIM is the best text editor (please no Emacs vs VIM now) it is not a good editor for the casual user and doesn't blend into Mac OS X too well. Most of my coworkers in my old company didn't touch it with a ten foot pole - even though they were programmers. They used TextMate or Sublime or Coda. I tried to sell them on VIM but in the end the learning curve was too high and they settled for something where everything was easily reachable through menus.
So I think VIM is not a good example of a good free Mac text editor.
> So I think VIM is not a good example of a good free Mac text editor.
You should qualify that with the demographics at your previous company. VIM (and Emacs) are perfectly good free editors for the Mac or any other platform.
TPB isn't the right place to look for mac piracy. All pirates usually need is a serial number. You get the application by downloading the demo version. (There are very regularly updated serial databases available.)
Comments
I've noticed, correct me if I'm wrong, but pirates are more abundant in Windows users than Mac users... I did a quick search and there's barely anything available for download on TPB for Mac (Just the usual big company name stuff), and tons for Windows.
Seems Mac users have no problem paying for the software they use, considering that it's not overpriced crap that costs $60. But decently priced like $4.99
The times when I used to erm "research" pirated software are long gone, so I naturally can't really say much about piracy differences between Mac and Windows. Back in 2002 when I switched after many years of Windows to the Mac, there was certainly far less.
It may be a question of price, though I also think that it could be a bout ease of buying. With the App Store people really only have to click twice to buy something. On Windows if you need a product as a solution to a problem, you need to go to different websites, compare their offers, everybody has a different payment provider, then you have to download and install. Really, I think that for many people pirating is not only cheaper but also far easier. And, since usually only good software is pirated, and not the crap, you don't even have to do so much research and cognitive burden to decide which offer to take. Other people already did that for you when they decided which one to pirate.
There're also studies though, where people find out that Mac users seem to be more inclined to pay for software. Maybe it's a question of initial price: When I pay a lot of money for a really good meal, I don't mind spending another 5 bucks for a great wine to accompany the taste of the meal. So if you spend quite some money for good (or perceived good, I don't want a Apple vs. others flamewar here) hardware, you might also want to spend a bit more on software.
3 eur for lunch...five bucks for a great wine?? where exactly is it that you live? i'd like to visit ;o)
Right now in Münster, Germany. Being a small student city prices are really reasonable. In the student's cafe you can get a complete meal (example: pasta with chicken and yoghurt and salad) for 2.20 Eur. Add 70 cent for a water and you have a 3 eur meal. Now, they also have high quality wok food or special foods, these are usually 3 Eur or 3.50 eur :)
In most european countries, student's food is state subsidized, that explains the fantastic prices.
I believe it is the history of the Mac. Mac users want good software and since the number of Mac developers is equal to the ratio of Mac:Windows users you had fewer choices so users were incentivized to pay developers, or else development dried up. On the other hand since there are so many Windows users and Windows developers it's a perpetual race to the bottom.
For example, you have no shortage of Windows text editors that are free. For the Mac your only real option is TextWrangler.
[deleted]
Both your examples are paid apps, the OP talks abou free text edtors for Mac.
Ah, OK. I need to read slower.
VIM ftw
Even though I think that VIM is the best text editor (please no Emacs vs VIM now) it is not a good editor for the casual user and doesn't blend into Mac OS X too well. Most of my coworkers in my old company didn't touch it with a ten foot pole - even though they were programmers. They used TextMate or Sublime or Coda. I tried to sell them on VIM but in the end the learning curve was too high and they settled for something where everything was easily reachable through menus.
So I think VIM is not a good example of a good free Mac text editor.
> So I think VIM is not a good example of a good free Mac text editor.
You should qualify that with the demographics at your previous company. VIM (and Emacs) are perfectly good free editors for the Mac or any other platform.
Although I do like Vim, and MacVim, I agree, it just doesn't fit the Mac persona and I personally use TextMate.
There's also Aquamacs for emacs fans.
TPB isn't the right place to look for mac piracy. All pirates usually need is a serial number. You get the application by downloading the demo version. (There are very regularly updated serial databases available.)