Web designers & developers shanghaied by pirate software
Oh alright, I know I always go on about hating surveys, but I did read this one all the way to the end because it claims that more than half of web designers and developers admit to having worked in an environment where they used unlicensed web design software.
Fasthosts Internet and a well-known tech magazine with a dot in its name that doesn’t need mentioning surveyed 500 developer/designer dudes to ask them if they use legal tools.
With 59% of respondents saying that they regularly use unlicensed software, the survey goes on to point out that developing with pirated products without support can lead to all sorts of bugs and usability problems further down the line. Hardly the sort of thing we want to see for the ‘accessible’ web 2.0 world is it?
Having worked in a small but perfectly formed web design and development company as a copywrighter last year, I have to say that I didn't see any evidence of pirated software in use. But I think it’s safe to say that this survey must be based upon real results and that it does happen.
As a long-standing player in the Microsoft web hosting market, Fasthosts is trying to do something about this situation and is actually working with Microsoft to promote the WebsiteSpark programme – an initiative that provides eligible users with free licenses for Microsoft Expression and Visual Studio.
What does it take to become eligible? Well, the website seems to suggest that you just need to have ten or fewer employees. If that’s all it takes then it sounds pretty good.
Fasthosts says that companies registering for WebsiteSpark get a free Windows Server license and a free MSSQL license. Upon enrolment, members gain access to free Windows Expression Studio 2 (1 user license), Expression Web 2 (2 user licenses), Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition (3 user licenses) and DotNetPanel control panel.
The FAST (Federation Against Software Theft) has an ‘employee whistle-blowing’ campaign to tackle employers who shanghai staff into installing illegal software. John Lovelock, Chief Executive of FAST, comments, “We want workers to know there is support and the means to combat any illegal behaviour by contacting us via our website and have protection in law under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 (Whistleblower Act). We hope that by raising awareness of the laws protecting employees, the number willing to blow the whistle will increase and reduce the illegal use of software.”
So there you go – a survey with some substance? Maybe. I think the free offer is pretty good though to be honest. I wonder what happens if you take the tools, get new business and have to employ three new people so that you suddenly go over the ten limit? Would companies be unscrupulous enough to lie about the number of employees they have? Well, if 59% of them are using pirated software in the first place I wouldn’t put it past them, would you?