In computer language, however, emulation means rebuilding another operating system of a computer or a console on another system, as an example, rebuilding a Nintendo system in your Sega Dreamcast so you can operate a ROM or play classic arcade games or simply recreate any of the computers and consoles 8, 16 and 32 bit that had been part of the history of video games.

Certainly, neither Nintendo or Sega nor any of the manufacturers have built their systems to be used for such purposes, as in this case is emulation.

The obvious utility software emulation is not prohibited from users greater and better compatibility and more freedom. So have you thinking that software emulation is a threat to manufacturers of systems?

Read my article on emulation and please leave your comments because it is a serious issue and interesting

This article is not a guide to emulation. If you really want to learn how to emulate any computer or on your Dreamcast console, Pasat by Dreamcast.es you find a lot of information would be helpful and useful.

What I mean by this article is why, as promoters of free software and concerned citizens should care in general these issues.

Well, I will endeavour to show that the emulation is not just play the last game for PS2 in your PC or even more, is also to enable new players to have access to titles from other generations. It is above all the freedom to run the software you want on the hardware you want.

The threat of emulation

We must be aware that often in the computer industry, emulation involves a clash between private and public interests. The interest of most major corporate software and hardware that option is close to blocking users. If you want to play a game of Nintendo, the first thing you want Nintendo is buying a Nintendo console. If you want to play a Mario on your Dreamcast, Nintendo hopes that you own or at least the version you buy "legal" in whatever system which has been edited.

As an example you say that it is complicated to find a Mario Dreamcast, since it has never been officially given this opportunity, therefore I am compelled to play Mario on the platforms that Nintendo has had or which holds currently supporting Mario. So if my wish is to play Mario de la NES, I think it will be very difficult to find both the console as the cartridge. The same goes for SNES titles and not the same thing happens to discuss with Master System, Megadrive, etc. ....

So if I have a cartridge with the Nes rom of Mari, because I understand that my private copying Volcan allow me so that I can continue to enjoy that game, the only difference is that the hardware that will run is not the original Without an emulator. Another typical example that has brought many comments has been operating software Amiga, you will need an Amiga or roms original, and without a company called Cloanto demandarte will have no problems if you do not pay the privilege to emulate the friend in your PC. Strategies for Microsoft to drive out and get rid of users of GNU / Linux or to impose Internet Explorer with people surfing the network are well known. The emulation is a threat to corporations that thrive in the exclusivity of its software and hardware.

Who and What is the division of the pie? Who monitors so that you can not emulate other systems on your PC or console?

The most obvious reason is probably the convenience. For someone who is dedicated to investigate history of the game and software, is neither desirable nor economically viable possess all hardware needed to operate and much less software. The legal conflict to find old games or operating systems remains a vacuum, abandonware is not legal mostly except for one who has been licensed by their manufacturers or licensees to use public non-profit.

You can enumenrar many similarities, but mostly it is well known by all the current situation and is not committed to repairing this article in each and every one of the owners and legal licenses.

Is the threat emulation corporations that thrive in the exclusivity of its software and hardware?

If an emulator would be beneficial for a company, while not generate a conflict with its lines of business, there would be no "threat" of emulation. Each corporation you would probably welcome and develop the emulators themselves. Look for Sony PSX emulating in its PS2 and now Nintendo with its Wii. The emulation is not really a business, is a seam and now corporations have realized that this is income and that besides all that old software has also pull and copyright.

While the software emulation will continue to schedule "at home" and being stored under corporate control, is a jewel in its crown. The problem is that it is very easy for a competitor from taking advantage of emulation software, which can become a powerful weapon and double-edged, in fact SET would happen if a company is relying on the exclusivity of its software to maintain its