this is a question for NOT BUYING advise

[scylla]

O.K. I'm making a purchase of a dvd burner thats just white box, no software. Here's the rub- I was advised to do this by a guy who said I could download free apps from newsgroups. He showed me his download folder and this guy has just about everything. I mean he has nero 6 ultra, powerdvd, roxio, you name it. He even has a VERY large library of books related to comps, such as The Lost XP Manual, Windows XP Hacks, The Business Users Guide To Linux, etc. And he says the software are hacked versions, meaning it comes with a registration number so you can use it as you like. Is this sort of thing common? I mean, dang it, nero ultra costs like $80 :eek: I'm just about the cheapest guy around and would LOVE to go this route, but I also love my freedom and would HATE for some F.B.I. joint task force to smash down my door for copywrite theft or some other silly thing. If anyone can tell me, what are the risks for this sort of activity? The guy with the downloads just laughs at my concerns. He says if you don't resell it, everythings cool.

[Mick_D]

Stealing is stealing and against the law even if you don't get caught. But who's to say you or your friend will not. And it's not cool if you don't resell it. Very uncool IMO.

Check the prices on Newegg for DVD burners. I've even purchased OEM DVD burners and received Nero software with them. The only thing different from retail was no box, cables, or instruction manuals. If you want the retail it's only $10 or so more and worth it for most people.

[saphalline]

I would advise you to stay away from this guy as far as computer advice is concerned! I heartily agree with Mick_D, stealing is stealing and no amount of "being careful" is going to help. Sure, he might never get caught, but there's always a chance, especially if hes bragging and mouthing off like that! :rolleyes:

I know software can cost a lot of money sometimes, but it's guys like that who pirate the software and drive the price up in the first place! Nero 6 Ultra could probably be brought down to $50 or less if there were no pirating. Not to mention that if everyone pirated Nero 6 Ultra, there would probably be no Nero 7 Ultra! It's sickening to think that those of us who understand software pricing and actually pay for things are really paying for @$$-holes like that!! :mad:

Now I'm not saying you should put yourself in an ackward situation and turn the guy in, but it couldn't hurt to make it clear that you want no part of his piracy. No matter how he explains what he's doing, it's still piracy. And really, it's not necessary. Like Mick_D said, even OEM drives come with the bundled software, so there's no reason why you have to steal the software. And if you do get crap software bundled in, just spend the money and get something better. Nero 6 Ultra is very awesome, so why not give the software developers what it's worth?

And you know what? That nightmare you had about the FBI joint-task squad... that could really happen! :eek: Best not to get involved. ;)

[Mick_D]

I would like to add with one more question. If someone broke into your home and stole your computer, stereo, TV etc., would you feel it was okay or "cool", as long as it wasn't resold and the perp was never caught?

I would not consider this person my friend.

[NeWbiE :-)]

i had downloaded some nero 6 pro software on dc++ after i bout a $90 dvd burner...then the nero 6 turned out to be i dunt even know but brought a nice amount of viruses with it then about 2 weeks later my girlfriends dad brought her home a nice sony dvdburner that came with ALOT of software including nero and i cant remember wat else...oh yea the box had a $120 price tag on it...i think its well worth it to buy the real thing..and most definetly with computer stuff

[FastLearner]

Your friend is probably using BitTorrent or some sort of other peer-to-peer service like eMule or something.

If these services offer a serial number along with the downloaded version of their product, then they are illegal in every way shape, and form. Such people who use these services to cheat the system often are under the false illusion that "Microsoft" or any other software author only cares when businesses pirate their software, and could care less when private folks do it. Far from the truth.

Besides the absolute illegality and moral issues, there is the security issue. If you download a program from someone you don't know, you don't know what you're getting. So many viruses, trojans, worms, etc. are spread through peer-to-peer type piracy networks, it's ridiculous. There is only one way to ensure you are getting clean software, and that is to buy it or download freeware that doesn't not charge for licenses, but has been recommended over and over by people you trust (for example, Adaware SE or HijackThis).

[dsdsds]

You may not need Nero ultra. There are tons of free and free-to-try software for burning Cds & DVDs. Try www.download.com