[sari]

Well, if members of GeekU have illegal software we have no way of knowing, unfortunately, unless they admit it. I would hope, however, that they come to realize that it's not the right thing, especially when they see how many people end up infected from cracks and keygens. Let me ask you this: What if you wanted a new computer, or TV, and you couldn't afford it - would you steal it? Probably not. Why is software any different? Theft is theft, no matter if it's downloading software or stealing an actual item such as a laptop.

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i can see your point, but have you never bought a dvd or anything that was pirated? Haven't you watched a part of a tv show on youtube? Then you have dont something illegal. So i cannot sign up for Geeku without uninstalling my dreamweaver and office?

[mike4]

i can see your point, but have you never bought a dvd or anything that was pirated? Haven't you watched a part of a tv show on youtube? Then you have dont something illegal. So i cannot sign up for Geeku without uninstalling my dreamweaver and office?

[Kat]

I cannot speak for Sari, but I DO know that I don't use or "buy" illegal software, tv shows, or games. Trying to justify your illegal activities as being ok by accusing people you don't even know isn't going to get you very far.

I'm not in charge anymore of who does or doesn't get in to GeekU, but I am a Teacher there. After reading your continued replies as to why it's "ok" for you to be using illegal software, what would lead us to believe that you won't simply install them again once you were accepted? I don't see how we could trust that about you at this point.

[Troy]

I've thought about this all afternoon...

The point to me is not that someone has ever done the wrong thing, it's about how people change for the better. It's been years since I used cracked/pirated software, about 6 years ago I went through all my music CDs and snapped the copies up and put them in the bin. Sure I don't have access to those programs or music anymore, but I don't really miss it. I'm never going back.

The fact that you have on your machine right now two programs installed illegally is not the problem, the problem becomes when you continue to use them and don't uninstall them. Get rid of them and take a step forward - we'll all respect you for that. Leave it on your machine, you'll likely find yourself denied access to GeekU entry as well as contributing to your possible removal from this site (obviously up to admins, not me, just theoretically here).

Theft is theft and I don't need it in my household.

[rshaffer61]

If I can add something to this also. With the advent of free alternative programs to many of the name brand programs why would you need to steal or install illegally anything?
In your case and what you have admitted to having installed, here are the alternatives which work just as well and the great thing is they are Free

Dreamweaver Alternatives
Microsoft Office is called Open Office

There is no reason for the use of the illegally obtained and installation of any program now. If you do not have the money for the purchase of the program then as the others have stated you go without or do a little research and find the alternative free programs online. You will be legal and maybe be able to hold your head up without fear of being arrested and fined for theft.

[mike4]

Ok, ill make up my mind later and ill probably just not apply for geeku. But almost all virus's that people have in the virus section of the forum are probably from pirated software right? I may be wrong and please tell me if i am. But if that is true then offering help to those people, in a way, is promoting pirated software right? I know you guys dont promote pirated software.

[wannabe1]

We will help remove the illegal software...period. If we determine there is pirated software on the machine, support stops immediately.

We don't have time to spend discussing your particular brand of logic...this topic is closed.