Ridiculous software prices

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Frisco's Most Underrated
Member Since: Jan 28, 2003

I was spammed this link, but checked it out, and my goodness, prices for software are ridiculously cheap (especially graphic design). Unfortunately no music titles, but...

softgod.biz/index.php?s=9583

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Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Jun 03, 2004 01:03 pm

I would seriously question the legality of that software personally.

Frisco's Most Underrated
Member
Since: Jan 28, 2003


Jun 03, 2004 01:15 pm

My first thoughts as well, but how can you tell?

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Jun 03, 2004 01:29 pm

Well, for starters OEM versions of Windows are only legally sold with new systems, or parts of a new system as I recall (been a while since I have worked in that area, so my memory may be wrong) contacting them is only via a web form.

2-4 Weeks to ship?!?! Must need time to burn more copies...well, and mostly, where can they get it at prices that allows them to sell it this cheap and still make a profit...I have worked with very large corporation, and even under corporate license Microsoft, Adobe and Macromedia stuff is expensive...

The fact they misrepresent the product too. OEM software does not come in the nice pretty boxes they are showing on the website. It's a shrink wrapped CD, and if lucky MAYBE a users manual.

I dunno, just looks really fishy to me...

Add to that their marketing technique of spamvertising doesn't help the appearance in my book either.

Frisco's Most Underrated
Member
Since: Jan 28, 2003


Jun 03, 2004 01:47 pm

Yeah, I know, I paid a bunch for the Adobe stuff, so when I got this I was wondering too good to be true? But, I have no idea what stuff costs OEM.

I don't know, I guess I'm just one of those guys whose willing to give the benefit of the doubt most of the time.

I guess the moral of the story is proceed with caution.

Member
Since: Jan 18, 2003


Jun 03, 2004 02:36 pm

weird...it looks legit to me.


Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Jun 03, 2004 02:43 pm

Yeah, they didn't include the video footage of them jacking the truck that they got the software from :-)

Of course it looks legit, and honestly, it could be...I've worked around software and with some of these vendors that they are selling products of, and honestly, I don't see this being on the up-and-up.

That said, I COULD be wrong...I'm just skeptical that way...

Chief Cook and Bottle Washer
Member
Since: May 10, 2002


Jun 03, 2004 02:50 pm

Read their FAQ's. One note mentioned is that you can not register your software with manufacturers. You are not eligable for tech support or upgrades. This is definately a departure from what is normally considered "legal" software. Even OEM software provided with the purchase of hardware can be registered under the purchaser's name. This is very reminicent of a couple other software providers that advertise considerable price reductions but are reproduced and marketed in coutries that do not recgonize US copyrights or inteluctial material rights. I would definately not put any of this software on a computer used comercialy.

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Jun 03, 2004 02:55 pm

HAHAHA, nice catch, Waltster. Thats a gimme right there, all by itself, case closed.

This same type of group got busted in Taiwan a couple years back reproducing Micrsoft Windows and Office CD's.

If it "can't" be registered, it ain't legal.

Frisco's Most Underrated
Member
Since: Jan 28, 2003


Jun 03, 2004 03:21 pm

oooh, guess you guys are right. sorry about that.

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Jun 03, 2004 03:22 pm

coolo...

"If it looks too good to be true..."

didn't mama teach you that :-)

Frisco's Most Underrated
Member
Since: Jan 28, 2003


Jun 03, 2004 03:25 pm

yeah, but you know how it goes with us dreamers. Always hoping.

Member
Since: Jan 18, 2003


Jun 03, 2004 04:27 pm

wow. it looks so slick and real though. everything's spelled right. nice graphics/layout for the webpage!

i caught that too, about the not-being-able-register-thing, and it looked a bit fishy to me too but in the end i just couldn't imagine anyone starting something like this up and expecting to get away with it.

could it be that the manufacturer won't allow registration if theyre not getting full-price for thier product? if i was manufacturing, i wouldn't like this little shortcut. you want the services, you pay for em!

Chief Cook and Bottle Washer
Member
Since: May 10, 2002


Jun 03, 2004 09:44 pm

Microslop in particular is very stringent regarding distribution of their software. OEM may only be sold if purchased with hardware. Now a pseudo workaround that is legal is by selling an OEM disk with say a stick of memory. That will fly. But to sell OEM without any hardware purchase is stricly a know know.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Jun 03, 2004 10:03 pm

Well guess what guys. I just tried the link tonight and it is gone. It jacked me right to incredifind.com, which in itself is annoying the heck out of me since I have never even used incredifind for anything.

The fat one always watches us.
Member
Since: Nov 08, 2002


Jun 04, 2004 09:03 am

This is the info for the where the site is hosted.
i have blacklisted these ranges on my router, just cause- (had to unblock just to see where it was) the ip of the site is 61.128.198.29
61.128.128.0 - 61.128.255.255
netname: CHINANET-CQ
descr: CHINANET Chongqing Province Network
descr: Data Communication Division
descr: China Telecom
country: CN
admin-c: CH93-AP
tech-c: CQ235-AP
mnt-by: MAINT-CHINANET
mnt-lower: MAINT-CHINANET-CQ
changed: [email protected] 20000601
status: ALLOCATED NON-PORTABLE
source: APNIC

role: CHINANET CQ
address: The mainstreet 3 daping ,chongqing data communication bureau
country: CN
phone: +862368614888
fax-no: +862368602314
e-mail: [email protected]
trouble: send spam reports to [email protected]
trouble: and abuse reports to [email protected]
admin-c: ZL235-AP
tech-c: ZL235-AP
nic-hdl: CQ235-AP
remarks: www.cta.cq.cn
notify: [email protected]
mnt-by: MAINT-CHINANET-CQ
changed: [email protected] 20030917
source: APNIC

person: Chinanet Hostmaster
address: No.31 ,jingrong street,beijing
address: 100032
country: CN
phone: +86-10-66027112
fax-no: +86-10-58501144
e-mail: [email protected]
e-mail: [email protected]
nic-hdl: CH93-AP
mnt-by: MAINT-CHINANET
changed: [email protected] 20021016
remarks: hostmaster is not for spam complaint,please send spam complaint to [email protected]
source: APNIC


Member
Since: Jan 18, 2003


Jun 04, 2004 12:52 pm

hmm.

so do you think they're from china, then?

this site's been frontin'!

and you know what god says:

11. thou shalt not front

The fat one always watches us.
Member
Since: Nov 08, 2002


Jun 05, 2004 06:58 am

they will be smoated.....

Chief Cook and Bottle Washer
Member
Since: May 10, 2002


Jun 05, 2004 10:56 am

Soon to become an uncompany. Never to have existed.

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