People who want something for nothing...

[thinkofthestars]

All right, here's the thing. How do you tell someone you're not about to give them a copy of your OS and your $400 software? This seems easy, right? Just say, "Hell no, I'm not giving you the software I rightfully paid for." But it's a little more complicated for me. I mean, I feel like a hypocrite in a sense. Before my Mac days, which weren't very long ago, I used to "find" my software for my PC online. You know what I'm talking about. I've denounced that though. I told myself, when I get my iBook, I'm paying for all of my software legitimately. I know that sounds stupid, but some part of me feels like I would be tainting my beautiful new laptop by putting illegal software on it. So anyway, I saved up the $1400 for my 14" iBook G4. Brand new with the latest version of OS X. Then I waited until I could save $400 to buy the Adobe Creative Suite (I got a student discount). It was very tempting to download it off of a P2P network, but I held back. I did without until I could afford to buy it outright. So now, this girl in my class asks me to burn her a copy of my CS and also my OS. Well hell if I'm going to do that. I mean, back in the old days, if someone were to ask me if I could get a copy of some software for them, I would have no problem. But I'm not about to had over the serial number to my brand new OS and software. In theory, that would make my new legitimate software become pirated, in a sense. So yeah, I don't want to be rude. I don't want to have some weird awkward moment where I have to explain my new found morals. It seems to me like if you're the type of person to own a mac, you're the type of person that also respects your computer. I don't know, maybe it's just me, but what am I supposed to say? Please, someone out there tell me that both of these CD's are copy protected and that I have an excuse to say no to her. Am I the only one here that feels so strongly about this?

[varmit]

Software like that isn't cheap, and she might be a great at working the software to do what is needed, but can't afford it. I can't afford it. So sometimes I have to pirate some software so I can get things done. Does this mean borrowing someones CD or making a disk image for me to keep. But I never take the persons CD key. I live by this rule with pirated software, if you want to use it, FIND YOUR OWN CD KEY. Now as for panther, doesn't your school offer it for a low price or free like my school. I have bought iLife and all but Photoshop and all, still a high price to pay.

You have the right to decline her request, and she shouldn't have hard feelings, otherwise, she isn't a real friend.

[iJon]

i agree with him. ill burn it for them, but i tell them to find their own serial, then im not risking my number. also, is she hot, if she is work something out with her.

iJon

[cr2sh]

also, is she hot, if she is work something out with her.

Well put iJon. :)

She can get a copy off the net, just as easily as you could of... s not only is she a thief, she's a lazy one at that. Burn her a copy of limewire, and tell her its every piece of software she could ever want to steal.

[G5orbust]

also, is she hot, if she is work something out with her.

iJon

Wise words from a wise man.


But for all relevance to this thread, Id burn her a .dmg of CS and tell her to scram with what you give her. CD keys are super easy to find, so tell her to just find one. As for OSX, tell her to ***** buy it herself.

[lucab1982]

I would love to be able to afford all my own software. Panther Family Pack in my house is all legitimate, as is Microsoft Office and Dreamweaver, however limewire has been useful.

I am a student and even their licenses are quite expensive for Adobe etc..My stance is that while i am a student and have little money i will continue to utilise Limewire and other p2p programs. However, when i have a job and am earning with pleasure i would spend my money on the Software and wouldn't download. Legitimate software feels so much better.

[edesignuk]

Legitimate software feels so much better.
It does? Doesn't "feel" any different to me :D ;)
I would not give her a copy. I will give anyone a copy of anything I have "aquired", but I will not dish out copies of stuff I have paid for out of my own pocket, why the hell should I/you?

[lucab1982]

It does? Doesn't "feel" any different to me


I know it's strange, Micro$oft i couldn't give a sh** but Apple i would pay all the way baby. :D

[FatSweatyChimp]

Before my Mac days, which weren't very long ago, I used to "find" my software for my PC online. You know what I'm talking about. I've denounced that though.


So it was ok for you to steal from software companies in the past but not ok for the girl to steal from you?

[dukemeiser]

Don't you have to call in and verify your software with Adobe now? Or is that just Windows version.

My first thoughts were: If you're single and she's hot, then hell yes!

[caveman_uk]

So it was ok for you to steal from software companies in the past but not ok for the girl to steal from you?
He never said that. Most people know downloading software off of bittorrent, kazaa etc is illegal but do it anyway. People have their reasons. Software costing hundreds of $/£ is one of them. It's their choice whether to risk it or not.

If you have bought software then there is no reason for you to feel bad about saying you won't copy it for people. It's also your choice. If you want to be safe (untraceable) then copy the disk image and leave them to find their own serial. It's not that hard - in fact there's a piece of software knocking around that is just a huge list of serials searchable by app and is updated every month. But no, I'm not telling anyone where to get it or what it's called.

Strangely enough I've paid for every bit of software I've ended up using regularly. I have downloaded stuff and used it for a while and if I actually use it enough I've bought a legit copy. Otherwise I delete it. I've even bought all the Apple software I have and they don't have serials...

[caveman_uk]

Don't you have to call in and verify your software with Adobe now? Or is that just Windows version.


Currently it's just the windows version that does this though the mac version 'phones home' or at least tries to.

[FatSweatyChimp]

He never said that.


Why won't her let her copy it then? Because it cost HIM money?

[Sabenth]

of all the dumb posts in my entire life....

Lets see you save up you pay you get

she comes over says can i have that on a cd please

you respond with this post to ask if its right or wrong or what not :confused: hell just copy the dam disk let her search for the sn and be done with it if she offers you a date for it my god go for it wont hurt



:D

[lind0834]

I wouldn't make a copy of what you paid for. That's dumb.

If for some reason you feel like you need to help a complete stranger steal software point them to a bittorrent site and let them use thier own bandwidth and time to get a copy that may or may not work.

If it is some one who has been good to you in the past, or someone who has shared files with you in the past then, I wouldn't be so harsh.

[caveman_uk]

Why won't her let her copy it then? Because it cost HIM money?
I was saying he never said it was OK to steal software. There's a difference in knowing something's not 'right' and doing it anyway and not knowing it's wrong in the first place. This guy seems to know what he did was wrong....otherwise why would he bother saving up for his own copy?

[1macker1]

I'd give her a copy, heck if someone wanted to use my Panther cd, i would let them. It's just sitting there collecting dust, might as well be put to use.

The one thing i have learned about software is, it aint cheap. Man, some of the more usefull programs are hella expensive. I've yet to pirate any software, but I can understand the people that do.

[g30ffr3y]

i agree with him. ill burn it for them, but i tell them to find their own serial, then im not risking my number. also, is she hot, if she is work something out with her.

iJon


"hot" people think they can get everything they want just because they are hot and then rest of the world owes them... f- that... tell her to buy her own copy... if shes hot maybe she work a few corners and earn the money...

[stoid]

Copying software is illegal. Period. I'm not going to command that you don't, or deny that I've found certain applications between my couch cushions, but it's still wrong. Some apps are more expensive because they are geared to make money from corporations that use them to generating profit. I doubt that some pieces of software are intended to be used by the hobbyist. I do know that if you use software you should support the company that created it so that they can continue to develop it. I just wish that Maya and Adobe offered 'hobbyist discounts', I would gladly spend $100 on Creative Suite to play with it in my spare time, but I don't have that kind of money to blow on something I only use in my spare time.

[FatSweatyChimp]

I was saying he never said it was OK to steal software. There's a difference in knowing something's not 'right' and doing it anyway and not knowing it's wrong in the first place. This guy seems to know what he did was wrong....otherwise why would he bother saving up for his own copy?


That's what I'm on about! Because he now knows it's wrong to steal software he doesn't want to give her a copy simply because he has paid for it himself.

Is it ok to copy pc software then and not Apple? If so, why?

[leftbanke7]

"hot" people think they can get everything they want just because they are hot and then rest of the world owes them... f- that... tell her to buy her own copy... if shes hot maybe she work a few corners and earn the money...

AMEN brother. I hate "hot" girls that think I will swoon to their every wish. I get a kick out of denying them everything. Not only is it insulting to my intelligence, but there were women who fought and lobbied and protested their way for years to get equal treatment and these dumb tarts throw that all away by batting their eyelashes, feigning stupidity and being cutsy to get what they want.

I say screw them. In a very uncomfortable spot. Like the back seat of a Volkswagen.

[stoid]

That's what I'm on about! Because he now knows it's wrong to steal software he doesn't want to give her a copy simply because he has paid for it himself.

Is it ok to copy pc software then and not Apple? If so, why?

It has absolutely nothing to do with Mac vs. Windows.

He bought an Apple, got a chance to get a 'fresh start' on the software piracy issue, and took the opportunity to reform his ways, for which I commend him.

[Flowbee]

That's what I'm on about! Because he now knows it's wrong to steal software he doesn't want to give her a copy simply because he has paid for it himself.

Is it ok to copy pc software then and not Apple? If so, why?

People do change. He used to have no problem 'sharing' software, now he's changed his mind and doesn't want to do it anymore. What's so hard to understand?

Also, I think that many Apple users are more sensitive to the economics of software development and want to support those companies that support our chosen platform. We know that there won't be Mac versions of our favorite programs if Mac users don't continue to pay for them.

[jxyama]

I am a student and even their licenses are quite expensive for Adobe etc..My stance is that while i am a student and have little money i will continue to utilise Limewire and other p2p programs. However, when i have a job and am earning with pleasure i would spend my money on the Software and wouldn't download.

i know i won't make any believers out of these posts, but would you purchase "extra" licenses to "pay back" for the free ones you've used in the past? would you buy them even if your company supplies you with copies at no costs to you?

if you are a student and you need to use these expensive software, i have no doubt that those programs would be available at computer labs. why not use those? are you really "stealing" the program because you absolutely need it or you just can't live without the convenience of being able to use it on your computer?

i have my opinions and ideals/morals and i think it's wrong. i don't care if others don't care it's wrong, but i do hate people making justifications or excuses. if you are going to do something illegal, admit it's illegal, admit that there's not really much of an excuse or justifications for doing so and just move on...

sorry for the rant. as for the o.p., i agree with many others here that you should give her a copy of CD images and tell her to go find her own keys. you should definitely not get yourself involved "on record."

[FatSweatyChimp]

People do change. He used to have no problem 'sharing' software, now he's changed his mind and doesn't want to do it anymore. What's so hard to understand?

I am asking is he not letting the girl copy the software because he has paid for it this time. Why was it ok in the past for him to copy stuff himself but not now? Is it because he would feel like he spent the money for other people's benefit -exactly like the software companies he stole from?

What brought about this change of mind?

I am not attacking him personally by the way. I just think it's strange that now he's started shelling out hard earned money for stuff (like most of us here do anyway, me included) he realizes that software piracy is wrong.

[lucab1982]

i know i won't make any believers out of these posts, but would you purchase "extra" licenses to "pay back" for the free ones you've used in the past? would you buy them even if your company supplies you with copies at no costs to you?
The companies software is theirs, their license. I would buy my own, like i have done for jaguar, panther.

if you are a student and you need to use these expensive software, i have no doubt that those programs would be available at computer labs. why not use those?
We only have Paint shop pro at my university and not one mac on campus. We here in the UK ain't like many of the American colleges.

admit it's illegal

It is completely illegal.

sorry for the rant.
We all rant. :D

[jxyama]

We only have Paint shop pro at my university and not one mac on campus. We here in the UK ain't like many of the American colleges.

you know, that really sucks and is irresponsible of the school. :(

i realize it's not so simple for everyone. being a staff (and not a student) at a univ. i get the best of both worlds: positive income and edu. discounts.

i guess it's a fact of life... i wish there was a good solution.

[stoid]

I just think it's strange that now he's started shelling out hard earned money for stuff (like most of us here do anyway, me included) he realizes that software piracy is wrong.

It don't know if it's all that strange. On college you often get rides with whoever has a car when you don't have one, and you figure, ahhh, it's just a few miles, I don't need to pay them for gas. But when it's your own car, and gas is 1.63 a gallon, mile add up fast, and you realize how nice your friends really are being about the whole thing.

[virividox]

I am asking is he not letting the girl copy the software because he has paid for it this time. Why was it ok in the past for him to copy stuff himself but not now? Is it because he would feel like he spent the money for other people's benefit -exactly like the software companies he stole from?

What brought about this change of mind?

I am not attacking him personally by the way. I just think it's strange that now he's started shelling out hard earned money for stuff (like most of us here do anyway, me included) he realizes that software piracy is wrong.

why is it strange that he would realize its wrong, this is the only way you realize its wrong after uv pirated because it costs so much. if u never had to pay for it before u wont realize how hard it is to just give a copy freely...give the guy a break, hes just sharing how he feels about it now that hes experienced it first hand,nothing strange there

[FatSweatyChimp]

Fair enough then. Now he can pay back what he stole from the software companies in the past now that he's knows how much software costs can't he? :)

What do you mean "don't be silly" ??

[thinkofthestars]

if you are a student and you need to use these expensive software, i have no doubt that those programs would be available at computer labs. why not use those? are you really "stealing" the program because you absolutely need it or you just can't live without the convenience of being able to use it on your computer?

Okay, well, first thing is first. Many people on here have asked if she's hot. Well, I don't think she is at all. If I were a guy, WHICH I'M NOT, I wouldn't be attracted to her. So yeah, for all of you out there, I'm a chick. You can refer to me as a girl now.

As for the guy I just quoted, I couldn't agree with him more. The first piece of software I ever paid for was Trillian Pro on my PC. I admit, I got a cracked copy at first, but the fact that I loved the program so much and used it all the time began to eat at me. Especially since they offer a free version. So I uninstalled my cracked Pro copy, and installed the free version. It didn't have all of the bells and whistles, so shortly after, I bought a legit copy. After that I realized that if it's something you use all the time and actually enjoy, there's absolutely no reason you should continue to rip off a company. The rest of my programs I continued to pirate, because I didn't use them so often, but even then I couldn't help but feel guilty. After I got my Mac, I did sort of see it as a fresh start. Since I'm going to school for Web Design, I saw no reason that I shouldn't save up for CS. Since I use it for work and personal use at least once a day, I definitely can save the money, whether it were $400 or $1200, I could save it.

I agree with jxyama completely. If you're a student and need to use the program for class, your school should have that program in their labs. If they don't, they really have no business teaching it. They can't expect everyone who takes the class to be able to pay for the program. Photoshop alone at a student rate is like, $200, and if you really want it that bad, pay up.

I know this girl who uses Photoshop for her work (a different girl from the one I previously mentioned in my original post). She designs covers for DVD's for some guy who works out of his home. He has a legitimate version of Photoshop that she uses while she's at work, but she has a pirated version at home. Does she really need the program, or is she using it for convenience? After all, she's only using it to touch of stupid pictures of her and her friends and could do all of this with a $100 program like Paint Shop Pro. But since it's so readily available, people think they NEED to have the best of the best. Well, they don't, and I don't. And I never said it was okay to pirate on a PC but not a Mac. I only use my PC for games now, but some of the programs that I still couldn't live without, I've paid for. Style XP being one of them. God, I love that program, so I bought a copy.

Simply said, if you're not willing to pay for a product, you have no business using it. If you use it professionally, you definitely need to pay for it since you're making money from using it. Use a 30 day trial, and in that period, I'm sure you could make the money to buy a copy.

Maybe this is all sounding hypocritical, but a person can change, you know. I think a good plan is to find her a copy online somewhere. Some people will steal no matter what you try to do, so it's not worth giving her a lecture over. Although, I do believe if you use it enough to have to have it on your home computer for more than an extended period of time, you need to pay for it. If you don't use it enough to warrant the cost, there are cheaper products out there. Even cheaper versions of the same product exist. There's just no excuse.

[jxyama]

Okay, well, first thing is first. Many people on here have asked if she's hot. Well, I don't think she is at all. If I were a guy, WHICH I'M NOT, I wouldn't be attracted to her. So yeah, for all of you out there, I'm a chick. You can refer to me as a girl now.

As for the guy I just quoted...

ouch!! :D i guess we collectively gave you yet another reason to generalize men as... whatever men are generally generalized as. :p

btw, i am a "guy," so you got lucky there... :D

[cr2sh]

I just think it's strange that now he's started shelling out hard earned money for stuff (like most of us here do anyway, me included) he realizes that software piracy is wrong.

You're young, broke, and make poor decisions.. you grow up, make money and run out of excuses to steal software.... or that's how it went for me.

So he's protective of what he's paid for... I don't think there's anything strange about that.. at all.

[themadchemist]

Okay, well, first thing is first. Many people on here have asked if she's hot. Well, I don't think she is at all. If I were a guy, WHICH I'M NOT, I wouldn't be attracted to her. So yeah, for all of you out there, I'm a chick. You can refer to me as a girl now.



perfect! how ironic!

[VirtualInsanity]

If she is a friend, tell her you don't feel comfortable sharing something you paid so much money for, and if she is really your friend she won't care, you are more important that the software after all.
If she is an aquaintence, Lie to her and tell her they both have to be activated to be used and can only be activated once, and that as you have allready activated them so they are uselesss to her. Don't let her take advantage of your good will and use you.

Its the principle.
Its the same with those cheaters we all knew in highschool who argued that since you knew the answers to the calculus test allready what harm was there in looking at your paper? The harm is it makes you feel resentful and ****ty to let others feed off your work, when you should feel comfortable since you worked to have the payoff. The same applies with your software that you worked to pay for.
Cheers.

[Opteron]

Here are some options
Sell a copy to here for half what you payed. + give here a CD key you found on the net
Offer a barter, in other words she has to bring something to the table to make it worth your while
Give her a copy and black mail her at a later date (personal favourite;))
Say No
Tell her a good PtP site (www.bearshare.com)

Well these are just a few of the possibe options.

[themadchemist]

Here are some options
Sell a copy to here for half what you payed. + give here a CD key you found on the net
Offer a barter, in other words she has to bring something to the table to make it worth your while
Give her a copy and black mail her at a later date (personal favourite;))
Say No
Tell her a good PtP site (www.bearshare.com)

Well these are just a few of the possibe options.

I make it a personal policy never to SELL pirated software...Making a monetary profit off of piracy could probably land you in far worse trouble if caught than just having burned the CD. So definitely don't go in that direction. It's a baaaad habit to start.

[Sparky's]

I think all of us are a little hypocritical at some point. When I was the DTP manager for a large printing company in LA the GP came in to me and said "hey, burn a copy of Quark for me so my daughter can use it at home..."
I protested but when I realized my job was at stake I had to consent. (I hated that A**h*le BEFORE he told me that) Anyway I now work for a nice printing company in New York and I am very appreciative of the fact that my boss lets me take whatever software I want home to use there (oh sorry, here) I do buy some of my own and have even taken copies back to work so I can have them there.
We are Adobe Solutions Network members which (for $595 a year) gives us the entire Adobe Creative line in both PC and MAC versions, which includes, but not limited to.. Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat Pro, GoLive, Image Ready, and anything else they feel like throwing at us. Because of this I am a member of the Adobe advisory committee and answer many surveys and receive all the latest news on what is happening and where. So when I bring home Adobe CS and use it at home to analyze and get to know it (we are still using OS 9 in our work production) I feel it is a give and take situation.

BUT I still admit it is pirating. And software companies such as Quark are seeing to it that it gets harder and harder all the time. Just ask anyone using Quark 6.x

[beg_ne]

thinkofthestars, you're not the only one who feels as strongly about it. I feel the same way. When i was just a lowly PC users every piece of software that wasn't free was warezed. Now that i have my Mac i have a strict no-warez policy for them.

I think the best solution to your problem would be to tell her you're not comfortable burning her an illegal copy of the software you spent all that money for. But let her know she's free to hang out with you and use the software on your Mac if she wants. :)

EDIT: whoops, just read that you are a girl. I guess my advice still stands though...minus the inuendo.