It is a problem that is growing over time. I got my money's worth when I bought The early Borland compilers, Mix C, Quattro and Reflex. I am a legitimate user of Paint Shop Pro and Corel Draw 8. They work as advertised. I won't tell you how long the test drive was before I bought & registered them. I wish I had done the same with Real Flight Simulator and this Intergraph Drawing Package. About $600+ between them. The simulator is a primitive toy compared to the competitors. The Intergraph package was presented as a less expensive alternative to AutoCAD. They failed to make me aware that I would need to make up the cost difference in education expenses before I could utilize it. I doubt that I will ever get it sorted out to my satisfaction. I always recommend that a prospective user try a bootleg copy and extensively test it before they buy it. IF they can make the software do their job THEN it becomes the LEGAL and MORAL thing to do and purchase it. There is a Scientific Calculator Program (Palm Pilot) named SynCalc that has a generous trial period and then goes to sleep. The registration fee is reasonable. I like the product & the marketing strategy. Apparently the registration considers the date and the User Name. I did not have to contact them when I upgraded, it transferred over with out a problem. Great product, great plan. I have this great Newsletter program called Microsoft Publisher. Only problem is that I cannot install it more than twice. The will only authorize the appropriate install code twice. When the system developed a corrupt registry (tell me why this should be my problem!) I had to beg for a third authorization code for the new machine. The second machine is an off site back up location of last resort, a mutual backup condition with another enterprise. I guess I am supposed to be comfortable with them deciding when to tell me my software dies! I am looking for Publishing software at this time.... I intend an extensive test drive.... John Ferrell 6241 Phillippi Rd Julian NC 27283 Phone: (336)685-9606 Dixie Competition Products NSRCA 479 AMA 4190 W8CCW "My Competition is Not My Enemy" ----- Original Message ----- From: "Sergio Masci" To: Sent: Friday, March 08, 2002 8:57 PM Subject: Re: [OT]: Software copying (was Re: PCB Making (a different viewpoint)) > ----- Original Message ----- > From: John Ferrell > To: > Sent: Friday, March 08, 2002 3:47 PM > Subject: Re: [OT]: Software copying (was Re: PCB Making (a different > viewpoint)) > > > > Unfortunately I seem to have a knack for buying products with well > concealed > > flaws. As a result I am unable to return the program even though It > develops > > into shelfware. > > > > Some of the side effects are that the program cannot coexist with certain > > other programs OR that over time it corrupts the windows registry OR it > > cannot be migrated to an upgrades machine because the helpline don't work > > anymore OR it uses unannounced/unsupported OS/hardware conditions that > limit > > some of the features OR .... > > But this is a direct consequence of using pirate software. If people are > prepared to use pirate copies of software (with a high ticket value) > regardless of the bugs, then they are inhibiting alternative software > development. People keep complaining about various C compilers, but why > should I bother producing an alternative high quality cheap C compiler if > these same people are going to just continue using cracked versions of the > compilers they keep complaining about anyway? > > > > > Sometimes a little larceny is necessary to survive. I won't argue the > matter > > of needing to own software in commercial use. > > > > If a private individual steals a loaf of bread to survive then I sympathise > and would be the last to condemn. But stealing sweats is another mater. > > I company that uses pirated software is not only stealing from the author, > it is also putting a burden on its honest competitors and giving itself an > unfair advantage (by reducing its running costs). It puts pressure on its > competitors to do the same. > > Regards > Sergio > http://www.xcprod.com > > -- > http://www.piclist.com hint: PICList Posts must start with ONE topic: > [PIC]:,[SX]:,[AVR]: ->uP ONLY! [EE]:,[OT]: ->Other [BUY]:,[AD]: ->Ads > > -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The list server can filter out subtopics (like ads or off topics) for you. See http://www.piclist.com/#topics