> I understood your point on manufacturer need to protect their
> investment. I will also do likewise if I am a manufacturer.

I do empathise, really. But realistically, what can you do ? Piracy
is a world-wide scourge and I don't blame manufacturers for how
they protect their wares. Of course, micro piracy (except for
credit card cloning) is probably not on the scale of games, music
and movies

The problem for a mftr is of course that if you can make one copy
of a PIC, you can make a million. The hardware itself could be quite
easy to copy and not having the hurdle of having to write s/w cuts
development costs considerably when making a clone or competitive
product

> For eg., my Pocket PC speaker is not working. I called the company
> to purchase a replacement and they refused. They insisted I must send
> the unit to them to replace even if I can do it myself. Here comes the
> knife. Checking and Evaluation of the PPC is $49.00. If repair needed,
> other charges apply. Fair !? I don't think so

I don't think so either. If you are able to do the repair yourself then
what's the problem ? In fact, they've probably done themselves a
dis-service by alienating you. If it were me I'd make a noise about it

> That's Life, too.

Yeah, s....y old world sometimes ;-)


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