Spaceninja
2[H]4U
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2004
- Messages
- 2,405
One reason people pirate software is the curiosity factor. People want to know why program X is so great and expensive. They download it can't use it and delete it. Something like Photoshop isn't an application that you just install and start using. Now something like Windows on the other hand, I see this kind of thing happen all the time. WIth the HP/Compaq systems they do not include a copy of Windows. They do include that lame restore function. If you want a copy of CD's you have to call HP and order them. I live in a poor part of the country and most of the people around here are stupid. They don't understand much of anything if it has a capacitor or chip of any kind unless it has Lays on the bag. They can order the cds, but that takes time, and of course they "have" to have the machine running. I lose business because I won't install a copy of Windows unless the disc is holographic or has Dell, HP/Compaq, eMachines/Gateway, or whatever on it.
Also, the BSA and other anti-piracy are after people that are selling this stuff on the street. The average person with a dsl or cable connection and bit torrent aren't really at risk.
A quick and funny story.
A buddy of mine was reported by some dude to the BSA, they came to his house with a warrant and a few other officers, they ran some program that said he had a pirated copy of windows (he didn't by the way) So he backed all of his documents and such, and they low level formatted his hard drive. He also had a binder laying on his bed with a bunch of burned cds in it. They were kind enough to destroy all of them. My friend just sat there the whole time never said a word. Eventually the guy asked him if he had a legit version of windows to install on his machine. He reached into the closet and pulled out another binder that had Microsofts Logo on the front, in said binder was every cd that they had just finished destroying. He promptly installed a beta version of Windows XP (think it was beta 1) with his key. For some reason he found out later, that program kicks back the key is invalid if it doesn't know what the app is, in this case WinXP wasn't on the market so it rejected it. My friend flashed his beta ID and told the guy in so many nice 4 letter words that if he ever stepped foot in his house again he would leave a foot shorter, and he should have him arrested for destruction of private property. They never asked if he had the originals for the discs they destroyed and wouldn't let him talk.
Thought I would share that.
Also, the BSA and other anti-piracy are after people that are selling this stuff on the street. The average person with a dsl or cable connection and bit torrent aren't really at risk.
A quick and funny story.
A buddy of mine was reported by some dude to the BSA, they came to his house with a warrant and a few other officers, they ran some program that said he had a pirated copy of windows (he didn't by the way) So he backed all of his documents and such, and they low level formatted his hard drive. He also had a binder laying on his bed with a bunch of burned cds in it. They were kind enough to destroy all of them. My friend just sat there the whole time never said a word. Eventually the guy asked him if he had a legit version of windows to install on his machine. He reached into the closet and pulled out another binder that had Microsofts Logo on the front, in said binder was every cd that they had just finished destroying. He promptly installed a beta version of Windows XP (think it was beta 1) with his key. For some reason he found out later, that program kicks back the key is invalid if it doesn't know what the app is, in this case WinXP wasn't on the market so it rejected it. My friend flashed his beta ID and told the guy in so many nice 4 letter words that if he ever stepped foot in his house again he would leave a foot shorter, and he should have him arrested for destruction of private property. They never asked if he had the originals for the discs they destroyed and wouldn't let him talk.
Thought I would share that.