cheap software sights?

[francois]

Frankly, at that price point you don't believe that those DLs are legitimate copies of Photoshop CS2, do you?

Francois

[boku]

As a software professional, I find your willingness to participate in piracy distasteful. Admitting it online is, well...

[DarkPenguin]

A common scam is to offer the software for cheap but no valid license key.  So you spend $100 but can't use it.

[Richowens]

Stephen,
Avoid these people like the plague! If you do get a key to let it run, most likely it won't activate. Besides that, how do you know if it is clean or not (viruses, worms, etc.).
And as Mark said that once they have your card number, you just might as well kiss your identity goodbye.
Therefore, in the long run I have found the least expensive software is buying at retail from a trusted source.
I learned this some 15 years ago, swapping software with friends. No more, my files and my time are more important than saving a few dollars, not to mention my integrity.
Besides that, if you have any legitimate version of Photoshop, the upgrade to CS2 is only $150.00. A cheap price for peace of mind.  

Rich

[Jonathan Wienke]

Anyone foolish enough to get taken by one of these sites (not sights!) deserves whatever they get.

[1hart1]

I was reviewing PShop CS2 on the net. I again fell on some download sites that offer applications including CS2 for under $100. They are downloadable only. What say nay of you? Any experience?
http://installdisk.com/  
http://countysoft.com/  
Amazing how alike these 2 sites are, a bit of a price difference but design and FAQ seem awfully questionable.
Are these places on the up and up?
Are downloads dependable. Indeed there is software I have from old days that reconnect broken downloads but lately I have not used it.
With 7mb/sec download times waiting has become a thing of the past...that is till I get tired of that...what a curious thing we are!
tnx
Stephen

[1hart1]

I guess what I m looking for is to debunk these cheep deals. I for one have never tried using one of these sights, although I did downld dreamweaver some time ago without hassle.

So assuming nothing and also not wanting to leave my brains in the parking lot I ask for other's experience.
Yes belief says, these can't be real! How could they be honest? Seems like a scam. But really how do we know if we don’t share experience. That said, I suspect that these sites depend on curiosity getting the cat.
So before I leap, and I probably will, I want to see if others have tried any of these or other cheep sights and want there experience was/is.
Stephen

[Mark D Segal]

Stephen,

USE YOUR HEAD.

Look at Adobe's Educational price for Photoshop - that is as low as they go. Do you think they will authorize anyone to undercut their lowest special-purpose pricing?

Of course it is piracy. Of course downloading and installing is illegal.

AND it could be the front end of a scam - you download the bait and along with it they can fill your computer with spyware, steal your credit card number, then go for your identity - all of which would be richly deserved under the circumstances.

[Mark D Segal]

Interesting information to come from a Dark Penguin  

Kidding aside, this is interesting - highlighting again there are two sides to every scam - the scammers themselves and the gullible suckers who let their greed take over their common sense - kind of akin on a much smaller scale to the Nigerian Letter Scam.

[francois]

USE YOUR HEAD.
.....
Of course it is piracy. Of course downloading and installing is illegal.

Piracy is bad but it can be worse.

...AND it could be the front end of a scam - you download the bait and along with it they can fill your computer with spyware, steal your credit card number, then go for your identity - all of which would be richly deserved under the circumstances.

Mark is right! What if they charge $1500 on your credit card? Domain names were registered last month or in July, probably with fake owners and  one is in Tahiti.

Domain Name : countysoft.com
::Registrant::
        Name      : ANTHONY CRIPPEN
        Email      :
        Address   :  P.O. Box 5009 Pirae TAHITI
        Zipcode   : NA
        Nation     : PF
        Tel          : (689) 435695
        Fax         :


Don't take chance.

Francois

[francois]

As an additional info to my above post: a quick look after Anthony Crippen shows that he seems to be listed as a massive scam/spam Pro!

http://spamvertised.abusebutler.com/all.php   lists 34 domains registered to Anthony Crippen.

Francois

[boku]

Anyone foolish enough to get taken by one of these sites (not sights!) deserves whatever they get.

Amen!