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Old 10-05-2009, 01:48 PM   #77
zerospinboson
"Assume a can opener..."
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ahi View Post
Given that you can only make a value judgment about files whose download links have been explicitly shared, I'd be curious how you think one could possibly gauge the statistical significance (i.e.: weight) of anything knowable about RS by outsiders.

In other words, the fact that you are able to identify 100,000 RS download links with pirated materials doesn't mean that legitimate use doesn't utterly dwarf illegitimate use. And while checking all links is certainly not feasible, there's no other method either that is bound to get you accurate data.

- Ahi
Sigh. Let me counter your silly question with a silly overblown counterquestion: Am I saying that the Mafia, when they were asking everybody for protection money, really fleecing everybody, or did they legitimately help some shop owners in cases where they needed help?

Anyway, what's with the really_big_number? Are you trying to say that whatever my sample size it will never be big enough because I can't know what percentage of total files offered?
I.e., We don't know how many wives are beaten in country X, so we can't infer that there is a systemic issue in country X, when we do know that at least 100.000 women a year are beaten in country X?
Absolute numbers do count for something, you know.Also, and furthermore: It is illegal in quite a few countries to make/sell copies of IP content, specifically when done on a commercial scale and with such an intent. RS does more or less that, which is why I don't think much of them. Lastly, parking lot and storage locker analogies are really unconvincing, especially because those goods can only be trafficked once, whereas RS makes its money distributing them many times. (Which is why you have to pay for a premium account if you want files to be downloadable >10x).
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