Poll: Console modding, good or bad?

[Imperioratorex Caprae]

With the recent PSN shutdown and some XBL issues arising, I've been wondering just how many people think that modding is worth all of this. So vote yes or no and if you want, explain your feelings on the situation and why you think its either good or bad.
Note: answering yes doesn't mean you also condone piracy.

Personally I'm not into modding my console because it works fine the way it is, and I don't need it. The only reason I could see it being useful is if you're one of those people who does it for research/personal knowledge or skill.

 

[Vanbael]

I'm leaning bad, because of piracy. I know there are other things that consoles can do, but the bigger reason is piracy. I actually had a friend that hacked his system so he could play GTA for free, acted like a total dick who thought he was above the law.

 

[Mr spank]

since everything is so closely related tothe online world on the consoles and they're quick to ban you for using them online, i don't think its worth it at all. i know a few people who got banned and can't seem to understand that using a modded console to play pirated games online is bad.

 

[Nargleblarg]

Just to apply a metaphor....

Imagine I have bought myself a banana at the store and have decided that since it is mine I would like to dip it into chocolate fudge. "Stop" screams the store manager tackling me and breaking my rib in the process. "What do you think you are doing to my banana" the manager lectures. I appear puzzled at this and while looking down I see that my banana has been taken from me with the manager coddling it. Seeing how I have bought this I thought I could do as I wished. "What nonsense you read and signed the banana code promising to use it like we want you to" explains the manager. Realizing now that this man is really an escaped mental patient I slowly walk backwards out of the store.

Note: how I did not steal the banana or fudge I just wished to alter it to how I liked, this is technology innovation

 

[Zantos]

I don't do it myself, but there's nothing wrong with modding your console. Piracy is a bad, but console modding and piracy are not synonymous.

 

[A3Bf72rVWE5hA]

I'll say no, but mostly because of how many people try to exploit it.

 

[loc978]

Neutral. I don't see the why or the why not as terribly valid. Nothing really to gain through it (in my eyes... anything that can be achieved through console modding can be achieved easier through emulation software on a real computer), but it's not really hurting anyone, either.

 

[disfunkybob]

Juice that sucker up. I want my XBox to look like Boba Fett making love to a Chia Pet with tentacles. But I'm not going to use hacks or steal Splosion Man. That would be icky.

 

[Hader]

Mods are for PC. It's easier that way.

 

[Rayne870]

Modding fine, modding for piracy not fine. By all means if you want to kill the red ring of death by putting in blue lights go ahead.

 

[AbstractStream]

I'll lean toward bad. Speaking from experience, the result always ended up badly. Then again, that could have just been me AND it wasn't for the right reasons. *cough*

 

[Erana]

I don't do it myself, but there's nothing wrong with modding your console. Piracy is a bad, but console modding and piracy are not synonymous.

This.

And no one should outlaw someone's right to use their property within the law, just because of its proximity to unlawful activities. Guns, things that cause immediate danger 'n such, maybe, but not something whose greatest dangers are getting an electric shock due to carelessness or bizarre circumstances.

 

[Wuffykins]

Personally I don't see it as neither good nor bad, because I see it strictly as a tool. Or, more specifically, adding functionality to a tool. Either way it's up to the person using it to decide what exactly the use of this tool will be.

Look at it this way: Someone figures out a way to make a knife even sharper than thought possible. One man uses it to make an excellent garden salad. Another uses it to rob someone. Is the knife the good or bad guy in either case?

Back to modding: Some use it to create some pretty cool homebrew programs, some use it to roam the Carribea... I mean pirate games.

 

[Shoggoth2588]

The only reason I would mod my console is so I can play foreign games on it without having to shell out for a foreign console. For that one simple reason, I say yes. Mod my console, that I may play Suzumiya Haruhi no Gekidou!