On Fri, 25 Jan 2008 16:13:53 -0600, "HeyBub" wrote:

Mark Lloyd wrote:

Different situation: You didn't BUY the software. You paid for the
right to use the software under the conditions specified in the
contract and sometimes those conditions specify you can't use the
software on more than one computer.

1. "buy" the software
2. Use it on ONE computer
3. that computer dies (or you just need to reinstall)
4. now you get to use it on NO computers, and are a victim of
"protection"

Most user agreements specify use on a single computer at a time. If your
computer's stolen, you can install the software on another. Virtually all
retail versions of software can be moved to another computer. However....


The problem I described above is only with some software (and this is
increasingly common) that tries to ENFORCE that by requiring an
internet connection and somehow sending this information somewhere
(that is it's spyware, like Windows XP) then refusing to install if it
doesn't get the response it "wants". One reason I'm now preferring
free (especially open source) software. It's unlikely to do such
stuff.

If the software is designated OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer), it is
licensed only for the original computer. If that original computer is
stolen, you're out of luck.



It may have been written to verify something in the computer's BIOS. I
was not referring to that.
--
Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.laughingsquid.com

"All your western theologies, the whole mythology of them,
are based on the concept of God as a senile delinquent."
-- Tennessee Williams