Yes, ban freeware from Audioz. What ever has been said about the merits of permitting it there, ultimately it's just integral trying to make cash off others work.
Much better I think, and less greedy, to have a section on Audiosex where free stuff can be dev linked to.

 

As long as it's clearly labeled a free, I don't see a problem. The responsibility lies with the downloader. Supply fills demand--not the other way around. Sometimes a UL/RG link is better than registering for a site. Sometimes, the dev link is better. Just pay attention and take responsibility for your own actions. A section for free stuff is reasonable. But getting rid if it is not the best idea imho. If something is good and useful, who cares if something was free or not?

 

Post direct link if possible, and at least 1 free file hoster. Those are the only reasonable recommendations I can think of.

Frankly this entire discussion is predicated on a bizarre double-standard... cracked/pirated stuff is shared freely on AZ. No money goes to the developer and premium hosters are used most of the time. Aside from a few complaints about locking mirrors, slow hosters, etc, nobody has a problem. However, when it comes to free stuff, everyone is up in arms about premium links. I've already stated this on audioz, but here it is especially relevant: premium hosters can be useful for old products which are no longer distributed or whose creator is no longer active. Having them posted with homepage is publicity for the company. Most importantly, people have a choice to download from creator's website (which is often much faster), or premium hosts. Objectively speaking, developers lose a hell of a lot more money on cracked/pirated releases than they do on their free stuff being mirrored. I get the idea that since it's free, it's immoral to make money on it... but these are minuscule amounts uploaders make, especially when there are direct links available. For the most part the point of free releases is to generate publicity for the creator... thus the more widely they are shared, the better.

I have to agree with SAiNT here, there are very few problems with the rules in this regard.

 

The poll is totally directive, as it does not offer a possibility to say that we still want these post to happen.

Most of those who want post about freeware only containing the developer page as link, ask yourself: would you do it? BTW why don't you actually do it? It's not forbidden.

I believe that if the poster can have some free beer because of creating these posts, there is nothing wrong, while you still have the choice of visiting the developer page and download from there.
When you speak about "making money" you should first know that we are speaking about tips rather than making money.

 

Personally I think direct links should be provided, when posting freeware. But this poll is very one sided. I would not vote for the option but to make it somewhat fair it should contain something like "No, and I don't care if they wan't to make money from it".

I really never thought about this until the massive down votes on many of the freeware posts made me aware of it. I usually do not download the freeware posted there anyway. But I had one or two finds, that I did like to try out, after seeing them.

I also think it's somewhat hypocritical, and I know this opinion will not be liked, that people find it "disgusting" to post freeware to make money from it but are totally fine that people make money from warez. Maybe I don't get the bigger picture behind those thoughts. I mean I understand that it takes time to crack the stuff and make it available to everyone, and that this should be rewarded as well, although I believe that the groups are not doing it for the money. And I know that some people buy new stuff from the money they make from it. But there is still a developer who spend a lot of time creating a product, usually a lot more time than freeware tools, that does not get anything from it.

 

No, it often makes me aware of something i didn't know about.

 

Posters of freeware are aggregating sources of instruments and such that I may not be aware of. As long as it is clearly defined as freeware, the source is clear and the freeware posts don't dominate the feed, bring them on.

 

I VOTED: *No, but DIRECT LINKS and no money making hosters are used

Posting free stuff has also other benefits: For instance a company decides to delete all their previous
links to FREE software, there will be no more downloads available! Or if they decide to go from free
to payware.
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The English is not crystal clear on this one (OP). I'm so confused.

I think freeware posts definitely should be allowed ofc (freeware is sometimes better than commercial releases, and we've all been noobs and/or having little cash), with links to the original website/developer for download. The post could be possibly locked for comments, to avoid money-making leeches (if they are not already banned for making money off of commercial plugins, which is equally bad).

 

Last edited: Apr 15, 2016

I don't mind when the posts are in the archives category.. What should be banned on AZ are all the pay for profit making links. I've never understood why AZ sponsors that... Kind of goes against the whole point of this site..

 

Premium hosters are reliable and don't delete files for a very long time. You can upload many large files. If you use premium link generators, you can get very fast upload speed after just clicking through a few ads. The fact people make money off of it is unfortunate, but I suppose it gives incentives for uploaders to invest their time into posting new links and maintaining them. I'm not entirely certain it's that much money to begin with... probably just enough to pay for their internet connection.

 

The only requirement I would say is they should be allowed, but it should require the Following GUIDELINES;

1.) Most important THE DEVELOPERS Links should be listed first! ALWAYS. Website Direct Links

2.) Mirror should Absolutely not be LOCKED. NO Exceptions. UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES

3.) Free file hosting links at Zippyshare or MEGA should be offered Next.

4.) Finally the poster may add other monetary links at the end, only if the previous 3 steps have been fulfilled (NO EXCEPTIONS)

 

@SAiNT already said it's not gonna happen so why are we even talking about it anymore guys?

 

So as stated before @SAiNT has made his opinion known and this thread will now be locked. Freeware vsts's and app's are beneficial to everyone, Even on here. So just enjoy everything that is offered. If you don't like it move along, because no one is making you Download anything. If you don't want the so called umpteenth "Trap pack" don't download it, don't bash the uploader, Don't add comment's, just move along, someone else may want it. Please just enjoy what has been provided for you, Remember @SAiNT has provided this site for you, and everything you get here is a gift. Say thanks and go in Peace my friends.

 

Last edited: Apr 16, 2016