17 replies to this topic

[macuser25]

After reading this thread below I find it shocking that people have the nerve to complain about the software (and threaten not to use it again) even when it turns out they haven't paid for a legit copy.

http://forums.suppor...=&st=

Then they try to justify their piracy.

I guess this makes it pretty clear why Roxio needs to charge what they do for new versions.

Everybody says they use Toast... I wonder how many people actually pay for it.

[patatrox]

macuser25, on Jan 4 2006, 08:34 PM, said:

After reading this thread below I find it shocking that people have the nerve to complain about the software (and threaten not to use it again) even when it turns out they haven't paid for a legit copy.

So many things I want to say here... but instead I'll just nod my head in agreement.

Thanks...

[hermie54]

In his defence, the guy said he bought it in a Bangkok Mac-shop. Ever tried to distinguish a pirated boxed copy from a real one in a shop in Asia? Ever been there?

[mdanihy]

hermie54, on Jan 5 2006, 12:14 PM, said:

In his defence, the guy said he bought it in a Bangkok Mac-shop. Ever tried to distinguish a pirated boxed copy from a real one in a shop in Asia? Ever been there?

It's a pretty well know fact that most of the software sold in Bankok is pirated.  The US cannot enforce the copyright law there, so shop owners can get away with pirating.

As soon as you step off the airplane in Bankok, you can find someone who will sell you pirated software in legitimate looking boxes.

Unless you buy it from a legitimate MAC store with MAC representatives, your chances of getting a legal copy are pretty rare.

Edited by mdanihy, 05 January 2006 - 06:16 AM.

[hermie54]

Yes, and it's going to stay that way as long as people there keep on earning sweat-shop wages while software companies keep selling at Western prices...

[macuser25]

although i guess his sweat shop wages were enough for him to afford to buy a mac, a burner, blank media, internet access and all those other things.

seems pretty suspect to me...

anyway... if someone wants to buy toast and can't find a local mac dealer, they can purchase and download direct from roxio's site.

[hermie54]

True. The fastest, easiest and often cheapest way, right from the horses mouth. I don't go for local resellers either, it takes them months to get Toast and when they finally start sending offers it's even way overpriced too.

OK, I'll quit on this topic. It's just that I thought the guy didn't get a completely fair deal, that's all...

[mdanihy]

macuser25, on Jan 5 2006, 05:32 PM, said:

although i guess his sweat shop wages were enough for him to afford to buy a mac, a burner, blank media, internet access and all those other things.

seems pretty suspect to me...

anyway... if someone wants to buy toast and can't find a local mac dealer, they can purchase and download direct from roxio's site.

I was thinking the same thing.  Though, he could have bought his hardware while he was still living in Canada.

The one thing I don't get, he bought the program in Bankok.  The first indication would be the price, if he paid $20.00 (just and example) for the program, but the web site clearly indicates a price of around $100.00, I would be suspect.

He also didn't say he bought it from a MAC shop, he stated he bought it from the bigest MAC dealer in Bankok.  I don't know what companies are certified MAC dealers in Bankok, but if he bought pirated software, I don't think they are reputable.

hermie54, on Jan 5 2006, 05:23 PM, said:

Yes, and it's going to stay that way as long as people there keep on earning sweat-shop wages while software companies keep selling at Western prices...

This is actually an issue for the government over there and not the software companies.

[dwfilice]

I've bought several DVD movies from Ebay, and most have been Pirate copies made in Bankok.  I won't be buying any more DVDs from Ebay.  As far as Pirate Toast copies go, I wonder if there would be a way that the software couldn't be used until it was registered with Roxio (or other software companies), thereby requiring one to submit the product serial number, and if it was already registered, the program wouldn't work. It might only take a short time of people buying software that didn't work to make them realize that buying Pirate copies don't work.

[freshburn]

Been to Bangkok and seen all the pirated CD's, tapes, etc, etc, etc.  It's really easy to spot a pirated version.  They usually don't come in a box, and if you are only paying a few $, that should be a clue.

I really doubt he is making sweat shop wages being a Canadian.

[mdanihy]

dwfilice, on Jan 5 2006, 06:38 PM, said:

I've bought several DVD movies from Ebay, and most have been Pirate copies made in Bankok.  I won't be buying any more DVDs from Ebay.  As far as Pirate Toast copies go, I wonder if there would be a way that the software couldn't be used until it was registered with Roxio (or other software companies), thereby requiring one to submit the product serial number, and if it was already registered, the program wouldn't work. It might only take a short time of people buying software that didn't work to make them realize that buying Pirate copies don't work.

That is what serial numbers are for, to discourage pirating.  There are some software makers that require their software to contact a server in order to validate.  Norton SystemWorks 2005 did this on the PC.  But, someone figured a way around it.

[fingerman]

mdanihy, on Jan 5 2006, 10:45 AM, said:

That is what serial numbers are for, to discourage pirating.  There are some software makers that require their software to contact a server in order to validate.  Norton SystemWorks 2005 did this on the PC.  But, someone figured a way around it.

I'll jump in here. Software Activation is what you are describing. It works well at reducing piracy, but most legitimate customers hate it. It would be real shame to change the software in such a way that negatively impacts the customer experience for honest loyal users and one I am reluctant to advocate.

Toast has some basic steps to validate legitimate users.

1) Serial # to enter prior to using
2) Web site registration and sign-in prior to downloading an update

It's still one of the most pirated pieces of software (we know because we have logs of how many updates have been downloaded vs how many copies we've legitimately sold) which is a testament to its usefulness to Mac users but a disappointing statement on honesty.

I don't think Activation is the right path to enforce payment... but I'd sure like to send my child to college some day.

[mindovermatter]

The good thing is the thieves don't have to go through Sonic Solutions "rebate program".
Toast honest customers (like myself) are treated to rebates which never come.

[patatrox]

mindovermatter, on Jan 5 2006, 03:48 PM, said:

The good thing is the thieves don't have to go through Sonic Solutions "rebate program".
Toast honest customers (like myself) are treated to rebates which never come.

If you are having a rebate issue, e-mail me with your personal information and rebate tracking number if you have it and I'll resolve the issue... the reason we use a large company to handle our rebates (and which is used by a hundred other companies) is so we can avoid being accused of dishonesty.  If there is a mistake, and they happen, then it is just that... a mistake.  We'll make it right.

*email address removed*

[mdanihy]

mindovermatter, on Jan 5 2006, 08:48 PM, said:

The good thing is the thieves don't have to go through Sonic Solutions "rebate program".
Toast honest customers (like myself) are treated to rebates which never come.

Wow, this guy isn't going to be happy unless he posts about his rebate woes in every thread.

fingerman, on Jan 5 2006, 07:38 PM, said:

It's still one of the most pirated pieces of software (we know because we have logs of how many updates have been downloaded vs how many copies we've legitimately sold) which is a testament to its usefulness to Mac users but a disappointing statement on honesty.

Unless the numbers are extremly drastic, I don't think you can use that as a good basis for the number of pirated copies.  I, for one, had to download the update software at least 5 times before I figured out my problem, and that was from multiple IP and PCs.

But, just looking on the newsgroups, I would have to agree that Toast is in high demand.

[patatrox]

>>Unless the numbers are extremly drastic, I don't think you can use that as a good basis for the number of >>pirated copies. I, for one, had to download the update software at least 5 times before I figured out my
>>problem, and that was from multiple IP and PCs.

Drastic would be the appropriate word...

[mindovermatter]

Wow, this guy isn't going to be happy unless he posts about his rebate woes in every thread.


And the simple solution would be what?

[patatrox]

mindovermatter, on Jan 6 2006, 07:41 PM, said:

Wow, this guy isn't going to be happy unless he posts about his rebate woes in every thread.
And the simple solution would be what?

Following the direction above to e-mail me?  I've responded to everything up to when I left the office at 7pm EST.  I'll be checking my e-mail again Monday...