Haha, anyway, just goto like <a href="http://www.macserialjunkie.com"; target="_blank">www.macserialjunkie.com</a> and spare yourself some serials dude. Life sucks, and then there are serials. Weee.
Its a nice idea. But I think you will find that few licence agreements actually say that. Sadly the legally binding license agreement is the one on the packet written by the M$ lawyers not the one we would all like to have!
Regarding the Microsoft and their "over-zealous" copy protection scheme. Although they have quite a stranglehold on the market, it is fair for them to request that one copy is purchased for each CPU. Running two copies of Office v.X concurrently would be a violation of the EULA, and MS is merely trying to enforce this by having the application check for duplicate serial numbers. Be thankful it isn't sending any checks to a central authentication server.
As for blocking the ports, there are a few ways to go about this. If you have a hardware router, you may be able to set up a firewall within your LAN to try to prevent computers from communicating on certain ports. The other (more popular) method is setting up a firewall using OS X's built in firewall software, which is referred to as TCP wrappers, if I recall correctly. This way, each machine on your network will restrict traffic going on certain ports, or a certain range of ports (i.e. 3000-3999) without affecting normal network traffic (like ftp on 21, www on 80, telnet on 23, ssh on 22, etc). I think I have a tutorial for those that are not *NIX inclined, but remember, Microsoft implemented this copyright scheme as a way to protect their own best interests in terms of capitalism and not simply as a mechanism to make pirates/stingy consumers angry.
The EULA for Office X clearly states that the primary user may make a second copy for use on a portable computer. That is, if you install Office X on your iMac you may also install it on your iBook, as long as it is for your use and not someone else's.
[quote]The primary user of the Computer on which the Software Product is installed may make a second copy for his or her exclusive use on a portable computer.<hr></blockquote>
The quote is from the EULA in the Office X Help program. The EULA on the Office X CD has similar language.
Bradd, I am happy to pay USD450 for Office. I am not 'stingy' for not wanting to pay USD900 for having it on my 2 G4s which are in my study one metre apart and only used by me.
I wish I had your financial resources which must be considerable.
I think software companies are entitled to protect their software and be justly compensated for their work. I'm sure the software prices would be a lot lower if 80% of it wasn't pirated.
Microsoft might be a huge monolith of a company, but let us not forget hundreds of medium and small software developers get ripped off too.
How would you feel if your work was always ripped off and your livelihood was reduced because of it? Pretty shitty I'd bet.
Given the commodization of computers, I do believe the EULA should allow for two home computers to use the software at the same time.
<strong>Given the commodization of computers, I do believe the EULA should allow for two home computers to use the software at the same time. </strong><hr></blockquote>
NeoMac: I wholeheartedly agree with your assessment. Even though these elaborate copy protection schemes are a royal pain in the ass, even a monolithic monopolist like Microsoft is allowed to protect its intellectual property. However, a slight expansion of the applied definition of fair use to go along with increased enforcement would only be fair (pun intended).
[Note that I cross-posted a simlar report to the Office v.X thread in the Software forum.]
After a week of attempts in vain, I finally managed to download a copy of Office v.X to try out until Microsoft manages to produce and ship my boxed version.
Obviously, Word is now able to print (unlike the Test Drive). Also, the style menus are now WYSIWYG. Excel works well. MSN Messenger got a new icon and version number, but I haven't seen any improvements. I rarely use PowerPoint and have yet to test it out. As for Entourage, there's no way I would abandon Eudora and trust my mail to MS.
As a precaution, I turned off AirPort while starting up. I did a port scan later to see if Word would start broadcasting after I turned AirPort back on.
If you start Office while disconnected from your network, it won't start broadcasting when you turn the network back on. However, if your network connection is live when you start any Office application, Office will broadcast on a random port in the 3xxx range. I tried this 10 times, and Office broadcast on a different port each time. I haven't tried blocking the 3xxx ports to see whether office will go beyond that range.
I haven't installed Office v.X on my (networked) Rev.A iMac yet. It is still running only the Classic OS (9.2.1) due to space constraints on the 4GB drive. So I'm not expecting any problems with running two copies (one licenced and one unlicensed) of Office v.X for now.
PS: For a small shock, put Excel and PowerPoint icons next to each other in your Dock. Do you think MS intentionally put this subliminal reminder about Windows XP in Office v.X? I had to move the icons to remedy the situation.
If anyone wants a serial # and doesn't know where to get one I suggest private messaging people in this thread who sound like they might have one.
On a side note I've made it a life long goal never to actually PAY for MS software. They have a monopoly so like I have any choice in wether or not I should use it. (Appleworks won't cut it for compatibility, neither will wordperfect.. etc). This copyright BS is a perfect example of how this will only hurt their legitimate customers. Someone who downloads office off the net isn't going to have a problem getting around the cp.
Good sugestion Pioner. I also have an never well pay for MS products. I dont feel its nessisary to pay for it while MS is allowed to cpommit fellonies. I also had the same problem with having 2 Mac's on the same network. You can block all the port 3000 - 4000 and s af few others I think to get it to work or you can unplug your ethernet connetcion before you start up Office I think. (I hear it works) then plug it back in. Or you could use diffrent serial number. I didnt block any ports and mine works now.
<strong>Simple solutions for simple problems. Type in the following in the Terminal, either as root or sudo it.
ipfw add 1 reject udp from any to any 2222
Shazam, Office X is cut off from snooping on your LAN.
You have to redo this after a restart, so it might be handy to make it run at startup...
Vans
I'm not familure with those commands what do they do? Also, to make it a startup script do I just make the first letter in the file name a cappital S? then put it in what directory?
In directory /Library/StartupItems define a directory called BlockOffice. You now have /Library/StartupItems/BlockOffice.
In the BlockOffice directory create a text script file as follows
#!/bin/sh
ipfw add 1 reject udp from any to any 2222
and name this file OfficeBlocker and make it executable (chmod u+x ./OfficeBlocker)
Now create a file named StartupParameters.plist as follows using your favorite Terminal.app editor
{
Description = "Office v.X Blocker";
Provides = ("OfficeBlocker");
Requires = ("Resolver");
Uses = ("Network Time","NFS");
OrderPreference = "Late";
Messages = {
start = "Starting OfficeBlocker Services";
stop = "Stopping OfficeBlocker Services";
};
}
Now whenever you boot the ipfw command should be executed.
I've not checked any of the above out (and it could contain errors), but conceptualy this is how you can do things of this kind at startup. There are other ways to do this also such as modifying the /etc/rc scripts.
BTW the ipfw command may or may not do what you want as I've not checked any of this out yet -- just wanted to give you something to be working on
[quote] If I were a Microsoft shareholder I'd be applauding the registration system for XP. It's going to cut piracy a great deal.<hr></blockquote>
Only from those who actually bought a copy and would, rightfully so, like to install it on more than one computer. If you own 3 macs your expected to go and buy 3 copies of office? Give me a break, that's blatant robbery.
Comments
<strong>
Microsoft is really being a smartass on this. The ever-changing port sure is sneaky. </strong><hr></blockquote>
What cracks me up is..MS finds the time to code a program to do this.. but they can't find the time to make sure the app has no security holes.
"Who cares about security as long as a products aren't being used more than once!"
<strong>
My position was and is: If I own one copy, it's fair to use it on both of my machines.
[ 11-17-2001: Message edited by: hacmac ]</strong><hr></blockquote>
Its a nice idea. But I think you will find that few licence agreements actually say that. Sadly the legally binding license agreement is the one on the packet written by the M$ lawyers not the one we would all like to have!
Michael
As for blocking the ports, there are a few ways to go about this. If you have a hardware router, you may be able to set up a firewall within your LAN to try to prevent computers from communicating on certain ports. The other (more popular) method is setting up a firewall using OS X's built in firewall software, which is referred to as TCP wrappers, if I recall correctly. This way, each machine on your network will restrict traffic going on certain ports, or a certain range of ports (i.e. 3000-3999) without affecting normal network traffic (like ftp on 21, www on 80, telnet on 23, ssh on 22, etc). I think I have a tutorial for those that are not *NIX inclined, but remember, Microsoft implemented this copyright scheme as a way to protect their own best interests in terms of capitalism and not simply as a mechanism to make pirates/stingy consumers angry.
:: edit: typos
[ 12-01-2001: Message edited by: bradd ]</p>
[quote]The primary user of the Computer on which the Software Product is installed may make a second copy for his or her exclusive use on a portable computer.<hr></blockquote>
The quote is from the EULA in the Office X Help program. The EULA on the Office X CD has similar language.
[ 12-01-2001: Message edited by: CaseCom ]</p>
I wish I had your financial resources which must be considerable.
cheers
Adam
I think software companies are entitled to protect their software and be justly compensated for their work. I'm sure the software prices would be a lot lower if 80% of it wasn't pirated.
Microsoft might be a huge monolith of a company, but let us not forget hundreds of medium and small software developers get ripped off too.
How would you feel if your work was always ripped off and your livelihood was reduced because of it? Pretty shitty I'd bet.
Given the commodization of computers, I do believe the EULA should allow for two home computers to use the software at the same time.
<steps off soapbox>
<strong>Given the commodization of computers, I do believe the EULA should allow for two home computers to use the software at the same time. </strong><hr></blockquote>
NeoMac: I wholeheartedly agree with your assessment. Even though these elaborate copy protection schemes are a royal pain in the ass, even a monolithic monopolist like Microsoft is allowed to protect its intellectual property. However, a slight expansion of the applied definition of fair use to go along with increased enforcement would only be fair (pun intended).
Escher
[ 12-05-2001: Message edited by: Escher ]</p>
After a week of attempts in vain, I finally managed to download a copy of Office v.X to try out until Microsoft manages to produce and ship my boxed version.
Obviously, Word is now able to print (unlike the Test Drive). Also, the style menus are now WYSIWYG. Excel works well. MSN Messenger got a new icon and version number, but I haven't seen any improvements. I rarely use PowerPoint and have yet to test it out. As for Entourage, there's no way I would abandon Eudora and trust my mail to MS.
As a precaution, I turned off AirPort while starting up. I did a port scan later to see if Word would start broadcasting after I turned AirPort back on.
If you start Office while disconnected from your network, it won't start broadcasting when you turn the network back on. However, if your network connection is live when you start any Office application, Office will broadcast on a random port in the 3xxx range. I tried this 10 times, and Office broadcast on a different port each time. I haven't tried blocking the 3xxx ports to see whether office will go beyond that range.
I haven't installed Office v.X on my (networked) Rev.A iMac yet. It is still running only the Classic OS (9.2.1) due to space constraints on the 4GB drive. So I'm not expecting any problems with running two copies (one licenced and one unlicensed) of Office v.X for now.
PS: For a small shock, put Excel and PowerPoint icons next to each other in your Dock. Do you think MS intentionally put this subliminal reminder about Windows XP in Office v.X? I had to move the icons to remedy the situation.
Escher
[ 12-05-2001: Message edited by: Escher ]</p>
On a side note I've made it a life long goal never to actually PAY for MS software. They have a monopoly so like I have any choice in wether or not I should use it. (Appleworks won't cut it for compatibility, neither will wordperfect.. etc). This copyright BS is a perfect example of how this will only hurt their legitimate customers. Someone who downloads office off the net isn't going to have a problem getting around the cp.
Hit: I can help
ipfw add 1 reject udp from any to any 2222
Shazam, Office X is cut off from snooping on your LAN.
You have to redo this after a restart, so it might be handy to make it run at startup...
Cheers.
And can someone post the EULA for Office? I'd like to examine it very carefully to find loopholes.
<strong>Simple solutions for simple problems. Type in the following in the Terminal, either as root or sudo it.
ipfw add 1 reject udp from any to any 2222
Shazam, Office X is cut off from snooping on your LAN.
You have to redo this after a restart, so it might be handy to make it run at startup...
Vans
I'm not familure with those commands what do they do? Also, to make it a startup script do I just make the first letter in the file name a cappital S? then put it in what directory?
-evildead
Cheers.
[ 12-06-2001: Message edited by: evildead ]</p>
<strong>
[ 12-06-2001: Message edited by: evildead ]</strong><hr></blockquote>
evildead:
In directory /Library/StartupItems define a directory called BlockOffice. You now have /Library/StartupItems/BlockOffice.
In the BlockOffice directory create a text script file as follows
#!/bin/sh
ipfw add 1 reject udp from any to any 2222
and name this file OfficeBlocker and make it executable (chmod u+x ./OfficeBlocker)
Now create a file named StartupParameters.plist as follows using your favorite Terminal.app editor
{
Description = "Office v.X Blocker";
Provides = ("OfficeBlocker");
Requires = ("Resolver");
Uses = ("Network Time","NFS");
OrderPreference = "Late";
Messages = {
start = "Starting OfficeBlocker Services";
stop = "Stopping OfficeBlocker Services";
};
}
Now whenever you boot the ipfw command should be executed.
I've not checked any of the above out (and it could contain errors), but conceptualy this is how you can do things of this kind at startup. There are other ways to do this also such as modifying the /etc/rc scripts.
BTW the ipfw command may or may not do what you want as I've not checked any of this out yet -- just wanted to give you something to be working on
Regards... Barry Sharp
It is easier for some to get over than others i suspect.
Cheers
adam
<strong>I'm sure the software prices would be a lot lower if 80% of it wasn't pirated.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Funny. I see the opposite as true.
I'm sure if the software prices were a lot lower, 80% of it wouldn't be pirated.
<img src="graemlins/hmmm.gif" border="0" alt="[Hmmm]" />
<strong>Is it legal for me to download a copy of office after calling and placing an order for it?
And can someone post the EULA for Office? I'd like to examine it very carefully to find loopholes.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Opinions?