Author Topic: Software and eBay (Read 21236 times)

*CountessA* · « **on:** September 09, 2009, 06:31:17 PM »

Recently I had cause to require updated versions of some of my software. I did check on eBay to see what was available and what prices were being asked, but I emerged feeling dubious.

Because of my qualifications, I'm entitled to Academic versions of some software, so of course I was looking for those versions. I was alarmed to see that the sellers on eBay selling one particular box did NOT require any proof of qualifications. Not only that, but some websites which purported to be selling original academic versions also did not require proof. Amazon too was selling this particular software, again without requiring qualifications.

This isn't a tantrum about unqualified people obtaining the Academic version of some software. This is actually about the fact that the people who buy those academic versions are going to find they CANNOT REGISTER the software - regardless of whether they're qualified or not.

You could waste hundreds of dollars on software that can't be registered, under the impression that because you are legitimately entitled to the academic version you can register it. This is because the software is actually not entitled to be sold on Amazon, because Amazon cannot check qualifications. In the same way, the sellers on eBay seemed not to have the ability to check qualifications, and were certainly selling academic versions without having the right to do so. I wonder how many buyers would find to their stupefaction and fury that the software cannot be registered...?

In the end, I found a reputable online seller who a) did check qualifications, and b) was better value ANYWAY, and bought what I needed. I had no problems with registering, and it's all fine. Now all I need is a really good soundcard...

It pays to check, to double-check and to triple-check. It pays to look around. It definitely pays to avoid doing business with shonky sellers, and it also pays to realise that sites offering downloadable latest software at literally a fraction of the cost it should be are probably up to something. (Something in this case = installing keyloggers on your system, gaining your credit card details for nefarious purposes, and of course offering illegal copies of software.)

tellomon · « **Reply #1 on:** September 09, 2009, 06:37:09 PM »

Snipe!

*CountessA* · « **Reply #2 on:** September 09, 2009, 08:29:59 PM »

The moral of the story is: don't eat carrots on Thursdays.

No, no, that's not it, not at all! The moral is: be careful when buying software. You have two things (well, three things) about which to be concerned...

1. Is it legitimate software?
2. Did it "fall off the back of a lorry"?
3. Is it an academic or student version, either of which might not be able to be registered at all unless you purchased it through a legitimate and registered academic software seller?

Through these three points, your software purchases work: legitimate, not stolen, academic registration, right softw---- FOUR POINTS, it's four points concerning your software: legitimate, not stolen, academic registration, right software for your needs, suitable for your PC's opera---- FIVE POINTS! FIVE POINTS concerning your software .... Oh, I give up!

:shrubbery:

tellomon · « **Reply #3 on:** September 09, 2009, 09:02:23 PM »

*Yibida* · « **Reply #4 on:** September 09, 2009, 09:24:27 PM »

*Ubbie Max* · « **Reply #5 on:** September 09, 2009, 10:56:22 PM »

"The moral of the story is: don't eat carrots on Thursdays." I agree Countess. I go one step further, I don't eat carrots on any of the other six days of the week.

*Yibida* · « **Reply #6 on:** September 09, 2009, 11:21:03 PM »

Quote from: ubbrd on September 09, 2009, 10:56:22 PM

"The moral of the story is: don't eat carrots on Thursdays." I agree Countess. I go one step further, I don't eat carrots on any of the other six days of the week.

oooooooooooo !....what you said !!....

*Ubbie Max* · « **Reply #7 on:** September 25, 2009, 11:51:07 AM »

Question without notice for all you learned computer whips.
I just got a notification through AVG that it had detected a trojan virus & sent it to the vault.
At the time the only thing active was Ebay archery listings.
How do these things get in when I have not opened emails? Is someone hacking into Ebay & sending the virus through it's site, if that's possible?
I don't want people to read this & think I'm scaremongering Ebay but, I don't have the knowledge to answer my question myself.

tellomon · « **Reply #8 on:** September 25, 2009, 12:02:02 PM »

Yep. I remember reading on the US ebay boards that it's true.

Duzzint mean it's true, but worth investigating.

Mebbe auctionbytes.com has some scoop....

shyer · « **Reply #9 on:** September 25, 2009, 12:03:30 PM »

About half of all virus allerts are false. That said report page to ebay, as there can be nasties on any web page, it is not just emails that have them. Ebay does need to know and needs reports to act.The rule is, use windows, use anti malware.

tellomon · « **Reply #10 on:** September 25, 2009, 12:36:24 PM »

...as there can be nasties on any web page...

Here, too?

shyer · « **Reply #11 on:** September 25, 2009, 12:41:49 PM »

YES. tello, if HTML is enabled by Admin for posters, a poster could post nasties, one reason HTML is disabled on most forums

tellomon · « **Reply #12 on:** September 25, 2009, 12:45:59 PM »

That's good to know.
I have no clue what HTML is, what it does, how it works or why it's evil & must be destroyed.

I can't be accused of being a geek!

*CountessA* · « **Reply #13 on:** September 25, 2009, 01:10:41 PM »

HTML is not enabled here, and hasn't been, for precisely those security issues...

*Yibida* · « **Reply #14 on:** September 25, 2009, 01:35:33 PM »

Quote from: countessa on September 25, 2009, 01:10:41 PM

HTML is not enabled here, and hasn't been, for precisely those security issues...

Well I was fooled...just because I could do bold lettering in HTML I assumed it was fully enabled.... guess I shouldn't ass-ume now should I ?..LOLOL

>>>>>> Work in progress <<<<<<
I will add to this site as time permits
** My favorite sites **
* If you fish then these sites are a must see *
Best Australian fishing site
Second best Australian fishing site
Heres something different, Squid
Heaps of fishing tackle</TD>
Where I buy and sell</TD>
Third best Australian fishing site

tellomon · « **Reply #15 on:** September 25, 2009, 01:41:04 PM »

*CountessA* · « **Reply #16 on:** September 25, 2009, 01:52:03 PM »

You're able to use the following basic html, which poses no security risk...

Code: [Select]

    • <b>, <u>, <i>, <s>, <em>, <ins>, <del>
    • <a href="">
    • <img src="" alt="" />
    • <br />, <hr />
    • <pre>, <blockquote>

*Yibida* · « **Reply #17 on:** September 25, 2009, 01:55:32 PM »

Quote from: countessa on September 25, 2009, 01:52:03 PM

You're able to use the following basic html, which poses no security risk...

Code: [Select]
• , , , <s>, , <ins>, <del> • <a href=""> • <img src="" alt="" /> • , <hr /> • <pre>, <blockquote>

Rather restrictive countess....but under the circumstance's....security must take priority over all other considerations....

tellomon · « **Reply #18 on:** September 25, 2009, 01:58:48 PM »

Quote from: countessa on September 25, 2009, 01:52:03 PM

You're able to use the following basic html, which poses no security risk...

Code: [Select]
• , , , <s>, , <ins>, <del> • <a href=""> • <img src="" alt="" /> • , <hr /> • <pre>, <blockquote> C):-{= <" hi! "<<

*Ubbie Max* · « **Reply #19 on:** September 25, 2009, 06:54:11 PM »

I'm with Tello on this one, I haven't got a clue what all the hieroglyphics in the previous few posts mean or what HTML means or is.

*Brum6y* · « **Reply #20 on:** September 25, 2009, 09:12:47 PM »

HTML means Hyper Text Markup Language

It's just a Language using those hieroglyphics you refer to to Mark up bits of Text with 'codes' to say how it will look. The browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera, etc.) interprets these codes and does all the hard work of working out what pixels go where to draw you the pretty web pages you see.

There are many reasons for doing this, which include: to make things faster, minimise network traffic, simplify web design and flexibility.

Designers and programmers can do wonderful things - but, just when they think they're so crash hot they don't need to test that last 'little' change, they get a job in eBay's IT dept.

Bazinga · « **Reply #21 on:** September 29, 2009, 01:30:18 PM »

Countess you have touch on a very interesting and important topic.

Its a shame its been ruined like most threads are here by being filled with piontless crap.

This is reply #21 now, can you point out to me in case I missed a post that was on topic and added any value to your OP.

*CountessA* · « **Reply #22 on:** September 29, 2009, 01:40:21 PM »

Night-Hawk, the topic did meander a little, didn't it? Ah well - I assume most people here haven't had an issue with trying to register software bought online, and finding that they couldn't do so.

(I didn't have that issue - but I know of people who HAVE. That's what I wanted to avoid.)

Is anyone here about to upgrade some software, or interested in purchasing new software? I will be happy to post some links to reputable sellers online. But here's the link to one of the pieces of software I needed, being sold in Academic version on Amazon. You can read the two pertinent buyer comments about the registration problem there, but I'll quote them here, too.

Quote

1.0 out of 5 stars Prohibited Software, August 4, 2009
By Mike Farrel "Musician" (New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
This software is useless. It cannot be register nor activated. Please call MakeMusic or Finale directly if you do not believe me.

I called Finale about the comment that this software is prohibited to be sold on Amazon.com. ( The comment is now gone, it must have been removed by Amazon) I was told that Finale will not register nor activate any academic software sold on Amazon.com by any company. They said the academic qualifications are not checked (cannot be checked per Amazon regulations) and is sold to anyone which is a violation of Finale agreements. Just buy any academic software and they will not ask you for your School ID.

Amazon.com even sells this item and other academic software. I am outraged that Amazon.com no only does allows this activity to continue which is against their Policy but they participate in violating their our Policy. Please write to Amazon to stop this fraudulent activity.

Shame on Amazon.com SHAME SHAME

Review Amazon Policy at Help > Selling at Amazon.com > Policies & Agreements > Community Rules > Selling Software

and at Help > Selling at Amazon.com > Policies & Agreements > Community Rules > Seller Offenses & Prohibited Content

Quote

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars PROHIBITED SOFTWARE, August 3, 2009
By Student Software Store - See all my reviews
Prohibited Software
As per Amazon.com Policies, only full retail versions of software may be sold through Amazon.com. Additionally, please be aware that OEM, academic, promotional, beta, NFR, back-up, recopied, and freeware & shareware versions of software are prohibited.

Sellers cannot verify academic eligibility of customers since policies prohibit this and they are violating thier agreements with Microsoft. I reported this to Microsoft and they are investigating and possible impacts to customers purchasing this product. Please call Microsoft if you do not believe me.

Amazon.com is violating their own policies and sell directly to customers. Maybe their own policies do not apply to themselves.

refer to Help > Selling at Amazon.com > Policies & Agreements > Community Rules > Seller Offenses & Prohibited Content

review Help > Selling at Amazon.com > Policies & Agreements > Community Rules > Selling Software

tellomon · « **Reply #23 on:** September 29, 2009, 02:19:07 PM »

Its a shame its been ruined like most threads are here by being filled with piontless crap.

That hurt.
Jokers have feelings, too.

Bazinga · « **Reply #24 on:** September 29, 2009, 03:30:24 PM »

That hurt.
Jokers have feelings, too.

shakes head and uses back button as its simly pointles

*Yibida* · « **Reply #25 on:** September 29, 2009, 03:44:56 PM »

Quote from: night-hawk-1 on September 29, 2009, 03:30:24 PM

That hurt.
Jokers have feelings, too.

shakes head and uses back button as its simly pointles

Anyone have a sense of humor they can loan out for a little while...?

tellomon · « **Reply #26 on:** September 29, 2009, 03:50:04 PM »

Hell no. I ain't giving it up.

Was that a Board Nanny attack?

*Yibida* · « **Reply #27 on:** September 29, 2009, 03:52:50 PM »

I'll make a copy and mail to em dude.....

*CountessA* · « **Reply #28 on:** September 29, 2009, 03:55:29 PM »

Okay, you lot - help me pull the topic back to its original direction!

1. What software have you purchased?
2. Have you purchased any of it online?
3. Have you purchased any student and/or academic software? (These are not the same things; students can buy student editions; teachers or qualified persons eligible for academic editions need the academic editions.)
4. Have you ever had any problems registering purchased software?
5. Have you ever had burned/fake software palmed off on you when you purchased it as LEGITIMATE software?
6. Do you feel any qualms in buying from online sources when it comes to software?
7. Have you ever purchased any software (including anti-virus software) in a download version rather than the box edition?

tellomon · « **Reply #29 on:** September 29, 2009, 03:57:13 PM »

Quote from: Yibida - Batteries not included. on September 29, 2009, 03:52:50 PM

I'll make a copy and mail to em dude.....

If ya think it'll do any good.

Sheesh! At least the Lurkers are anonymous.

OK. Tessa, take it awayyyy.............

*smee* · « **Reply #30 on:** September 29, 2009, 04:09:40 PM »

none
n/a
no
no
no
yes
no

Bazinga · « **Reply #31 on:** September 29, 2009, 04:21:32 PM »

Okay, you lot - help me pull the topic back to its original direction!

There is absolutely no point in anyone attempting to add anything of value here because it will simply be lost in the noise.

If this is what you want OZ RT to be then good luck to you all

*CountessA* · « **Reply #32 on:** September 29, 2009, 04:22:44 PM »

Smee, your computer surely has SOME software on it...!

Do you mean you purchased the computer complete with all software already pre-installed?

*smee* · « **Reply #33 on:** September 29, 2009, 04:26:46 PM »

tellomon · « **Reply #34 on:** September 29, 2009, 04:36:58 PM »

Quote from: night-hawk-1 on September 29, 2009, 04:21:32 PM

Okay, you lot - help me pull the topic back to its original direction!

There is absolutely no point in anyone attempting to add anything of value here because it will simply be lost in the noise.

If this is what you want OZ RT to be then good luck to you all

Wake up and smell the decaf!

*CountessA* · « **Reply #35 on:** September 29, 2009, 04:39:18 PM »

Mm-hmm.

That makes sense. I was initially left scratching my head, wondering how you could function on a computer without software.

Let's see. This is a list of some of the software I have on my new computer. (Note: I still need a lot more! And this is not the complete list.)

1. Finale - my composing software. This is truly the crême de la crême of music software. (ONLINE purchase - not eBay. Box edition)
2. Some software for converting my compositions or arrangements into PDF files. (ONLINE purchase - not eBay. Download edition)
3. Animation Shop and PSP8 - graphics. Not as snazzy as Photoshop, but fine for basic stuff... I suppose... *dissatisfied grumble* (Older purchase from shop)
4. Nero 9. I can't help it, Poddy - I like Nero! *hides from Poddy's wrath* (ONLINE purchase - not eBay. Box edition)
5. Office 2003. The latest 2007 edition is nail-bitingly unintuitive and I don't want it. (Pre-installed.)
6. NOD32 anti-virus. TERRIFIC. Very heartily recommended. (ONLINE purchase - not eBay. Download edition)
7. The latest Dreamweaver. Love it, love it, love it. The web designer's/coder's dream. (ONLINE purchase - not eBay. Box edition)
8. Other programmes which I either can't remember or am not revealing. No! Don't beg. I'm not saying.

*smee* · « **Reply #36 on:** September 29, 2009, 04:44:03 PM »

what about the essentials ... you know ... like ummmmm tetrus and frogger ?

*CountessA* · « **Reply #37 on:** September 29, 2009, 04:48:37 PM »

Not my sort of game, Smee!!!! *laughs*

I do have some fantastic games, but they are probably not to everyone's taste. I incline to classic adventure games rather than RPGs or strategy or FPS.

*barny* · « **Reply #38 on:** September 29, 2009, 05:31:30 PM »

I have purchased two "download" software packages.

AVG Pro, and Zone Alarm Pro....

No problem with either

Cheers

*CountessA* · « **Reply #39 on:** September 29, 2009, 05:33:41 PM »

I have bought some computer games through eBay. One was very hard to find, and it's the sort of thing for which eBay used to be famous: providing a venue for otherwise unavailable things to be bought and sold.

It's been a long time since I searched on eBay for similar games which I don't yet have in my clutches... I dread the search function in eBay.

Centuries · « **Reply #40 on:** September 29, 2009, 05:51:58 PM »

I bought my security software from a store but am considering downloading the 2010 version from the company.

I Hope that will not be a problem as they are definitely the ones offering the renewal.

*CountessA* · « **Reply #41 on:** September 29, 2009, 09:03:14 PM »

It should be fine.

One thing to be wary of, though, is that sometimes legitimate trial versions of software include third-party software which you do NOT want. For instance, if you try to download the trial version of the latest Nero 9 (direct from its site), AskSBar is included without your permission.

When you install the software of Nero 9 from the boxed disc, you have the OPTION to say "No, thanks" to AskSBar. And believe me, I DID say no.

Centuries · « **Reply #42 on:** September 30, 2009, 01:34:54 AM »

That is worth knowing!

cueperkins · « **Reply #43 on:** September 30, 2009, 06:21:51 AM »

I'm about to buy another virus scan...that Nod32 one that everyone thought was so good......BUT, I'm not sure if I want to buy it on a download offer because of the last fiasco with Vet.

Basically, after years of receiving a tax invoice from that company, they stopped sending them.....and tried to charge my mastercard that I'd used the year before, to charge me for a renewal....without authority to do so. Apparently they had changed the UA (sound familiar?), and made credit card authority retrospective?...like what?....so I definitely DON'T want to use any product that automatically entitles the software company to have a Debit authority.. cheeky ratbags.

I was simply going to buy one from a B&M, and before renewing it, I would be advising the software company that I REFUSE to automatically give them access to my credit card. They simply retain the number on file and charge your credit card for the renewal...that's the only way I found out that they were assuming an authority. Luckily I'd closed that card down....and their charge was refused automatically......they're unscrupulous barstards.

tellomon · « **Reply #44 on:** September 30, 2009, 06:47:58 AM »

......they're unscrupulous barstards.

Seems to be a trend in modern commerce. :-[

shyer · « **Reply #45 on:** September 30, 2009, 11:14:02 AM »

I find it pays to shop around for anti malware, all similar products are similar price, some suit some people some suit others. Norton for instance is a good product however for me it is slow and not very reliable.

All companies run "specials" regulary. Take up one of those specials and then start looking a month before next expiry when full price now charged. It is also worth while to deliberatly change, as one company may have missed some malware, the compeditor has a excellent chance of picking it up.

Nearly all my software is jolly or shareware, EXCEPT anti malware you want the bi weekly updates. I refuse to buy software till I can see, it will do what I want and I know I will get updates sensiably priced for 5 years or so. I have paid too often, too much to companies that disapeared or changed policies. Microsoft been one of the worst, my OS is pirate with updates I want ,NOT what Microsoft want. They are privacy thieves and not just virus enablers but Microsoft uses viruses IMHO.

shyer · « **Reply #46 on:** September 30, 2009, 05:31:13 PM »

I forgot to mention I use were ever possiable paid for novell linux .It is cheaper than windows, support is better, novel forums as paid member are a fantastic bonus. IMHO the best value software, I have ever got and only about $120yr corperate version, to $70 for full stand alone boxed version. Vile Vista is $150 poverty pack to $600 for boxed ultimate. And unlike windows licence can move to any altered or new or other computer.

AND linux is not only much cheaper than any windoze or apple OS. Is faster than ANY windows, more stable than Any windoze and only needs free basic anti malware. Virtually no malware works in linux, is a much safer system .

*CountessA* · « **Reply #47 on:** September 30, 2009, 10:43:07 PM »

Vista is almost universally accepted as taunt-worthy.

To Windows Vista, I say this:

News:

Author Topic: Software and eBay (Read 21236 times)

cueperkins