The guy I currently work for at a electrical sign shop brought me a copy of flexi a few months ago. I currently use Corel 11 and had been asking for a upgrade to X3 and a copy of Flexi was his answer to the problem. Well the other day he got really ****ed because I told him I was not going to put my files and designs in a boot leg program. Besides being boot legged what about help, crashes, updates, and so on.
Well, I kinda need the pay check coming in right now, but I'm still holding my ground. I told him $175 and I can get X3, but he said it's not as good. Yea, but it's legal!
What should I do as for as the employee/owner relationship?
-------------------- Blake Wright The Sign Shop of Florence Florence S.C. Posts: 78 | From: Effingham, S.C. | Registered: Jun 2006
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Tell him that every file created by nearly every piece of software has a meta file tag. This tag carrries the name of the USER, name of the software, who it is registered too, when it was created, on what machine and date along with other goodies. Everytime that files leaves the shop it carries with it this data leading right back to the originator. And that you do not wish to have your ID tagged onto these files.
Then you can call the BSA and collect the reward offered after they come by and do a software audit and find misregistered software on the machines. All this reporting is held in confidence. Usually BSA is called for revenge after a bad firing.
-------------------- Leaper of Tall buildings.. If you find my posts divisive or otherwise snarky please ignore them. If you do not know how then PM me about it and I will demonstrate. Posts: 5274 | From: Im a nowhere man | Registered: Jul 2001
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Business Software Alliance. http://www.bsa.org/usa/ Like Curtis said, most complaints come from disgruntled employees or your competition. And, just like any copyright claim, it's up to the defendant to prove that any income generated by the company did not come from the copyright infringement.
Havin' fun,
Checkers
-------------------- a.k.a. Brian Born www.CheckersCustom.com Harrisburg, Pa Work Smart, Play Hard Posts: 3775 | From: Harrisburg, Pa. U.S.A. | Registered: Nov 1998
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So you're saying that I could get a bootleg copy of FlexiSign, CorelDraw, CasMate, EstiMate, Illustrator, Barry's flames and John's Toons and send them to every shop in town. As soon as they start using them I can turn them in for the reward money and eliminate the competition all at the same time!
Gotta add that to the business plan!
-------------------- Pat Whatley Montgomery, AL (334) 262-7446 office (334) 324-8465 cell Posts: 1306 | From: Wetumpka, AL USA | Registered: Mar 2001
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He's proving by his preference to run a bootleg version of flexi than a legal version of corel that he has no ethics. Is this really the type of person you want to work for?
I'd explain to him that your ethics will not allow you to use STOLEN software and his job isn't worth you risking everything when the shop gets caught with it. If he tries to tell you that IF he gets caught, he'll take the heat, explain to him that he doesn't get to decide the law. You still broke the law by knowingly using STOLEN software. (I'm not a lawyer, but I'd be surprised if the law just punished those that bought the bootleg software. Also, if you look at it as stolen property, which it is, it puts it into a different light. Bootleg doesn't have nearly the bad karma feel to it as stolen does.)
-------------------- Chris Welker Wildfire Signs Indiana, Pa Posts: 4254 | From: Indiana, PA | Registered: Mar 2001
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Can you actually use a bootleg copy of Flexi, even if you wanted to? I think if you only copy the CD it is not going to work, you need a "key" to operate it so they would have had to find someway to duplicate or bypass that as well, and I agree it's not ethical.
As far as Flexi being better than Corel? I work in Flexi now, and though it is set up specifically for signs there are certain limitations with designing. I frequently use Corel for some of its text warping features, gradient fills and other things that Flexi is not capable of. They are different but I would not say that Flexi is necessarily better. I actually purchased Omega for my new business because I like the drawing tools better than Flexi. Though it has its limitations as well. While I'm trying to create samples and design my advertising before my shop opens, I find myself using Corel because of familiarity. It's been a few years since I used Omega.
Good luck with it being your boss though. It may be hard to convince him. I still have to bypass the message of my Windows not being authentic everytime I boot up my computer here. Oh well, only one and a half more weeks...
-------------------- Tracie Johnson Signovations Ventura, California Posts: 444 | From: Ventura, California | Registered: Nov 2005
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quote: Tracie Johnson - Can you actually use a bootleg copy of Flexi, even if you wanted to? I think if you only copy the CD it is not going to work, you need a "key" to operate it so they would have had to find someway to duplicate or bypass that as well, and I agree it's not ethical.
All these various software packages have some manner of protection to prevent and/or recognize fraudulent use of the software. Unfortunately, "cracked" versions can be created by literally walking through the code and modifying the software instructions to bypass the protection.
It is not recommended to use such software because you have no guarantee what the cracker did to the code. You may end up with software that will only partially work, seeming to work okay but then lock up in the middle of a design. Or something these jokers do is insert malicious code to do something random (e.g., move save files, rename files, etc.).
Worst situation is that by getting a cracked version, a person foregoes tech support and the advantage of the latest product support (i.e., new features for sign production, expanded support for printer technology, etc.).
-------------------- -- Rod Young CADlink Technology Corp. Posts: 26 | From: Ottawa Ontario Canada | Registered: Aug 2006
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If you can't afford the software or the brushes or the equipment legitimately, you don't stand "a snowball's chance in hell" of succeeding.
Stealing software is the same as stealing someone's brushes at a meet.
It sucks and indicates the type of person you are!!!
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
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Is this BSA a gov agency? Do they need a warrant? My concern is not over bootleg software,that's bad and all, but that this didn't raise any red flags in people's minds. Maybe it did, and I just happen to verbalize it.
Let's sing together!
This land is your land, This land is my land, I love big brother, And Mr.Lennin....
-------------------- James Donahue Donahue Sign Arts 1851 E. Union Valley Rd. Seymour TN. (865) 577-3365 brushman@nxs.net
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what's for lunch, Benjamin Franklin Posts: 2057 | From: 1033 W. Union Valley Rd. | Registered: Feb 2003
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Well I came in today and like a good employee I was doing what the boss said.
BUT WAIT! I can't find the crack CD!.? Well, I had the programs for months but hadn't installed them. Must have got thrown out.
Boss said, call the guy and get another. OK Boss. Well I called the guy to ask for another and I just had to ask about getting busted. You know sending E-Mails and all. Also about the BSA. He had the nerve to tell me I was being over nosey in his business and he doesn't feel safe giving it to me. Darn I tried.
Knowing the info you guys told me I think I got the problem solved.
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since we are on this subject I placed some cds on ebay back a little while ago that I no longer wanted. I was quickly emailed by a "buyer" that it was against the law and I could be fined....yadda, yadda, yadda.
I bought it, it was original and I did not use it anymore so now I want to sell it. Is there a problem with this. Can I do anything anymore in this world without some f***tard telling me whats right and wrong. I dont think he was there when I bought it and I dont believe he chipped in for it.
for nayone that cares it was vehicle outlines. Hell with ebay i can just finds a damn good photo in color of the vehicle and place lettering on it. now I can take full color vehicle shots to cutomers instead of a line drawing...which in its time was awesome now, dont get me wrong....but its time is over I dont know why people still use it. and by the way I got bout nothing for it
-------------------- You ever notice how easily accessible people are when they are requiring your services but once they get invoice you can't reach them anymore
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I was reading the user agreement from Corel Draw, and I THINK it said that you can transfer ownership of the original to someone else, as long as you don't keep a copy yourself. That was version 8, you need to check it out yourself, I don't have the time.
-------------------- James Donahue Donahue Sign Arts 1851 E. Union Valley Rd. Seymour TN. (865) 577-3365 brushman@nxs.net
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what's for lunch, Benjamin Franklin Posts: 2057 | From: 1033 W. Union Valley Rd. | Registered: Feb 2003
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well Bruce, at least Pro Vehicle Outlines sponsors this site to help maintain a free place for you top spout off about your own inability to find value in their product.
End User licensing Agreements are all slightly different regarding a legal transfer of used software, but the high price we all pay for software is directly affected by pirating & anybody who has half a clue knows ebay is one of the conduits for the lions share of pirated software today.
Most of the retarded f-ing sellers need to be told right from wrong. If you're not one of them, then maybe you just need to be told that if you ever want to sell some used stereo or jewelry, you might want to stear clear of the street out front of methadone clinics & pawn shops or some "some f***tard" might get the wrong idea!
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damn dude calm down. I found value in them at first....I think I mentioned they were awesome, did you not read that?...or did you decide that you would pick post for anyhting that ticked you offso you could rip me one today?
and as far as your last paragraph I have no idea what the hell your talking about. buts its ok I ve seen you go off on others I suppose it was just my turn.
-------------------- You ever notice how easily accessible people are when they are requiring your services but once they get invoice you can't reach them anymore
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pat Ill swap you some "calvins peeing on something" for the adobe helvetica family. please burn disk and mail...I dont trsy email big brother is watching
-------------------- You ever notice how easily accessible people are when they are requiring your services but once they get invoice you can't reach them anymore
Most of the retarded f-ing sellers need to be told right from wrong. If you're not one of them, then maybe you just need to be told that if you ever want to sell some used stereo or jewelry, you might want to stear clear of the street out front of methadone clinics & pawn shops or some "some f***tard" might get the wrong idea!
Something about this comment bothered me when I tried to figure it out the first time. Now that I get it...I don't get you. So the guy sold some clipart on ebay. I've bought several programs and clipart collections on there and I can assure you they're legit.
But what I don't get is you, Doug. Why is EVERYTHING with you an argument? You're starting to sound like the Douglas Adams character, Wowbagger the Infinitely Prolonged, who made it his life's goal to insult everyone in the universe. Is your goal to do the same on your universe of sign websites?
(edited for spelling disaster)
[ August 17, 2006, 07:11 PM: Message edited by: Patrick Whatley ]
-------------------- Pat Whatley Montgomery, AL (334) 262-7446 office (334) 324-8465 cell Posts: 1306 | From: Wetumpka, AL USA | Registered: Mar 2001
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For the record, "EVERYTHING" is not an argument with me. I have quite a history of posts, & while there may be more outbursts from me then from you, I assure you (based solely on quantity alone) there are also more helpful posts from me, then from you. Posts where, in many cases, I invested a good deal of my time purely to help fellow signmakers here.
I didn't accuse Bruce of dealing in bootleg materials, but apparently someone else did & he came here with both barrels blazing. After blasting the audacity of some strangers concerns, he moved on to blasting one of our merchants products as well.
I won't say I'm sure what "some f***tard" means but it reminds me of having to kick some neighborhood kids ass for calling my sister names because she had learning disabilities... So, maybe that influenced my reply...
...nevertheless, I stand by my opinion that the majority of software on ebay is bootlegged, & this thread is about bootlegged software, & maybe the $15,000.00 worth of software I've paid for would have cost me less if there weren't so much piracy going on. So that is part of where my own rant comes from.
I don't care if Bruce sells legal software on ebay, any more then I care if he sells his own jewelry at a pawn shop... but if he's going to get so cussin' mad at someones concerns that he's venting about it here... maybe offering another point of view regarding his chosen venue would be helpful.
quote:Originally posted by Doug Allan: For the record, "EVERYTHING" is not an argument with me. I have quite a history of posts, & while there may be more outbursts from me then from you, I assure you (based solely on quantity alone) there are also more helpful posts from me, then from you. Posts where, in many cases, I invested a good deal of my time purely to help fellow signmakers here.
yeah but you do your fair share of bitchin' too sorry Doug, I couldn't resist the opportunity...
-------------------- Ken McTague, Concept Signs 57 Bridge St. (route 107) Salem MA 01970 1-978-745-5800 conceptsign@yahoo.com http://www.pinheadlounge.com/CaptainKen
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"A wise man once said that, or was it a wise guy?" Posts: 2425 | From: Salem, MA | Registered: Apr 1999
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I see your "fair share" and raise you an admission of guilt to more then my fair share... (but at least somewhere, I believe, short of "everything")
posted
i see your fair share of bitchin and raise you one smart azz reply.
Not ALL my replies are smartazz, I do my "fair share' of constructive input as well
-------------------- Ken McTague, Concept Signs 57 Bridge St. (route 107) Salem MA 01970 1-978-745-5800 conceptsign@yahoo.com http://www.pinheadlounge.com/CaptainKen
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"A wise man once said that, or was it a wise guy?" Posts: 2425 | From: Salem, MA | Registered: Apr 1999
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as far most sellers need to be told right from wrong, who cares? I dont care if your selling crack on ebay. its none of my business. im not going to go around and email folks and question their selling of items. I personally dont give damn what anyone does that personally does not affect me directly.
And I did not come in here with both barrels blazin. I just use alot of cuss words to express myself.
-------------------- You ever notice how easily accessible people are when they are requiring your services but once they get invoice you can't reach them anymore
-------------------- Ken McTague, Concept Signs 57 Bridge St. (route 107) Salem MA 01970 1-978-745-5800 conceptsign@yahoo.com http://www.pinheadlounge.com/CaptainKen
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"A wise man once said that, or was it a wise guy?" Posts: 2425 | From: Salem, MA | Registered: Apr 1999
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![[I Don t Know]](graemlins/dunno.gif)
Well, I had the programs for months but hadn't installed them. Must have got thrown out.![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
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