The Human Factor in Software Engineering

New technologies especially the virtual world open new possibilities and threats. Our emotions are not made for virtual worlds, and some of the laws neither. I like this article of Stan Mack about "The Effects of Technology on Moral Development", especially the factors that lead to new opportunities for immoral behaviour and reduced possibilities of punishment. I am the old-fashioned person who thinks that in the virtual world, the same laws and principles hold as in the real world. The virtual world is just an extension of the "real world", no replacement. And as for copyright: Why do young people demand "their" right on free access to the intellectual properties of others? Why do they think that artists must work for free and donate their work results to the world? Why do they not demand the same from the baker around the corner? And what do they think that software developers will earn their living on, when they give away all software for free? Such demands clearly reflect a student´s view on the world who can invest much time in just-for-fun art and software projects. It´s a great time for them, but it will not last for their whole life! I am happy that Wikipedia gave me the opportunity to donate to them because Wikipedia has been more useful for me than most of the lexica which I bought. Money is nothing dirty, it is one important currency for paying thanks! Another one is respect for other peoples´ work.