How did they find out that?

[Mick_Marsh]

I use some expensive software.
I don't own it, the places I work at do.

About a month ago, I received at home, in the mail/post, a poorly printed sheet without a letterhead or letter of explanation, asking me to inform the software company at the email address supplied my software license numbers.

"Scam!" I thought. In the bin it went.

Now, in the mail/post I received another. This time with a letterhead, a letter of explanation and a phone number of the fellow who sent the letter.

It seems I have been reported for using software registered to other people.

Der!

Have you noticed, in a business, when you open up a software package, it usually asks your name and other details. Well, this package does. It then sends that information to a big database on that software company's servers. They then must collate information such as postal address and telephone numbers from other sources. Maybe phone directories. I am also registered on their forum. They get all sorts of info there.
Well, in this case, they have put two and two together and come up with twenty two.

I'll have to send them an email from my work account admitting I am using software I do not own and, due to the confidentiality agreement I signed, they would have to take the matter further with the company's IT department. Given the IT department has been outsourced to Singapore, good luck with that.

[Slunnie]

This isn't the Centrelink welfare reclaiming computer is it!

[Chops]

I was given a copy of an engineering program a while back, the first thing the guy said to me, was never be on the net and the program at the same time ;)

[Pedro_The_Swift]

never be on the net and the program at the same time ;)

you could say that about Windows 10 :angel::wasntme:

[Mick_Marsh]

I was given a copy of an engineering program a while back, the first thing the guy said to me, was never be on the net and the program at the same time ;)

Well,yes, I know this program authenticates on line. Hell, MS office authenticates on line. Most softare packages do. I am often using on line components to it as part of my work.

How many of you at home get letters from Microsoft asking you to send them the serial numbers of the software you use at your workplace.

I think I know what is going on. Manufacturing and industry are dying in this country. Perhaps a topic to be discusssed elsewhere. My potential jobs have gradually been moved off shore. The Australian division of this software company has gradually been losing it's market share to their overseas divisions. They're getting out a big stick to drum up business.
They used to call me to get me to lease their product. Still do. They keep offering me a yearly lease for quite a lot of money. Why should I? I wouldn't use it. The company leases the product and runs it on their equipment.
My computers aren't capable of running it anyway so I would have to buy a new computer too.
They're applying the big stick to me.

Interesting, though, Microsoft. They aren't using the big stick. They use a carrot. As part of their licencing agreement with the company, I can run a licenced copt of MS Office at home for (I think) $10 or $15.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

yep, and it will soon be 10 or 15 a year-- Forever.
just like windows.

[Chops]

I want to get into it one day and check it all out,, probably 5 or 6 disks,,, it'll work out strengths and everything for all sorts of stuff, mostly steel though, we had it when I worked on R&D for the transmissions.
It's supposed to good for all structural work,, bridges etc. He gave it to me to help me keep busy with in my quiet times on the road when at that point I was to be in the bus. Design lots of stuff he said,,, :angel:

[jonesy63]

In a previous role, I used to field questions like these from the software vendors. Most "expensive software" (Autocad, etc.) does indeed "phone home" and lets them know the ip address, MAC address, date, time, etc. of the machine on which it was installed. The issue was when they were installed using known cracked license codes - typically in Asian countries where people were tinkering or trying to educate themselves. Some people were from 1st world countries - too lazy to jump through the hoops to order a proper license.

In any case, it would result in the software vendors sending a legal demand to our company to "handle them" - or face the consequences. There was sometimes a follow-up where the vendor was allowed to connect their machines to our network to scan for further installations - in order to prove the situation was settled.

The fines were substantial (tens of thousands per case) - so this effort always got priority and recalcitrant dealt with promptly!

[Bytemrk]

yep, and it will soon be 10 or 15 a year a month-- Forever.
just like windows.

There fixed it for you [bighmmm]


Have you seen Office 365 subscriptions..... that is where office will be totally in the not too distant future...


Adobe did it and have got to the point they are only creating new cloud based products. I think all the major software vendors will in time.