I think a lot of people come to their opinions about Napster through very odd thought routes. Here's the deal:

1. Using Napster (or any program) for the reason most people use Napster, which is to get songs they like and do not already own, is illegal.

2. Don't do illegal things, even if you don't agree with the law. Thinking that a law is stupid or wrong doesn't make it OK, legally or morally, to do it.

Whether Napster should shut down or not is a more legitimate debate topic in my mind than whether it's OK to go steal music and break a half dozen copyright laws because hey, you like the song.

-eric "Criminal!" sleator
Thu 1 Feb A.D. 2001