Installing the same copy of software

[fairy!]

Can I borrow a friends copy of some software, eg Quark Express, & install it on my computer, with the serial number?
My boss says that whilst I'm connected to the web, my computer will dial through & register that the serial number has been used before & I'll get a knock at the door from the cops.

[gastwo]

You will normally get a window asking you if you wish to register. Obviously you dont, and you wont have any problems.

(Apart from the moral problems. But thats for you alone to worry about.;-)

[Oneeyedvic]

moral & LEGAL problems.

Some software will check (eg Win XP), some won't. If it does, there are usually stil lways round it, but be under no allusion, you are breaking the law. (I am not trying to take the moral highground here, I certainly *ahem* may have used illegal software)

[fairy!]

If I don't click the register button, can it not check up on me?? It will be on an Apple Mac on OS10 (Tiger).

[fishboi]

Windows XP doesn't always check, I may have used the same serial for many, many installations.

[gary baldy]

I use OSX and Ive got loads of dodgy software and as long as you have the serial number and dont register who's gonna know?
Software developers factor copying into the price.
Trouble is if you want to send say a quark document to a professional who has a legit copy there may be 'issues'.
I think your boss is just p**sed off cos he probably had to pay full whack for the firms copy and he's you getting it for free!

[Thunderchild]

A program can without your permission just log on to the producers server and check wheather it is legitimate. if the program will work with no problem make sure that you install a firewall and forbid the program in question access to the internet. providing you do not need the internet to proceed with the use of the program you will be a happy guy

[fairy!]

Thanks everyone :-)

gary baldy... ha, I think you're right about my boss!! However, does this mean that if I create something at home on my dodgy copy of Quark, & then take it in to work on my USB /email it to myself to print out, I might have problems opening it in my legit copy of Quark at work?

Thunderchild... how do I go about getting a firewall that prevents my progs dialing up the web?

[ermadea]

Allo Allo Allo!

[gary baldy]

Possibly not fairy. I just know that some designers and printers will not take files created on cracked software because of the possibility of viruses but thats not your problem is it?
Dont think thunderchilds concerns affect us OSX users (and if you are using Safari).
Listen fairy - speaking as someone who uses both OSX and a cracked version of Quark - i never registered it and disabled the 'link to the internet' function and dont have any problems. Stop worrying about it.
Just as a post script i dont use quark anymore, i use a (legal) copy of I-work which has a really good design suite called pages - not as good as quark but really good if you are not a pro and a tenth of the cost.

[oscartony]

just be wary of any online available updates!