[tcuguy]

I ordered a new PowerMac G4 933 Mhz last week from Apple Education with 512 megs of ram, an 80 gig harddrive, the superdrive, and the Geforce 4MX. I will be using the system with my Cinema Display. It's supposed to be shipping tomorrow overnight, so I should have it on Friday. I am so excited about this new system!

Because I am getting this new system I will be selling my Cube. So send me an e-mail if you are interested.

PowerMac G4 Cube 450 Mhz
1.1 gigs of ram
40 Gig Harddrive
ATI Radeon Video Card
DVD-Rom
2 USB Ports
2 Firewire Ports
56K Modem/Ethernet

**No extended Apple Care Warranty!

Includes Installed Software:
Mac OS X 10.1.2 (w/ all updates installed)
Mac OS 9.2.2

*and any other software that came with the Cube from Apple.

Send me an e-mail at tcuguy@attbi.com if you are interested. I am a student at Texas Christian Univeristy, and I live in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area.

[ 02-07-2002: Message edited by: tcuguy ]

[malson]

How about a price? Since there isn't one (yet) I'll start with an offer of $250

[tcuguy]

I think I am looking for a minimum of about $850 with the extram ram, harddrive and Radeon card that it has.

[JayTi]

I want your cinema display How about $760 for your cube? Sorry if it seems like a lowball offer, but it is a pretty good price...

It's worth asking- that's a great software collection: Are all of those legitimately licensed? will you be selling the CDs and licenses with the system?

[tcuguy]

All of those software programs are legitimately licensed and I own them. Besides school, I do graphic and web design in addition to video editing.

Basically I am selling the system with the software for the OS and these apps installed as is so I am not selling the programs, they have just been installed on the computer. However, if the buyer wants me to format the harddrive and do a clean install, I will be more than willing.

I simply listed the Apps because I wanted it to be clear to any potentional buyers as to what the specs of the system software are and as to any software that has been installed.

[steve666]

Do you have the original box, keyboard and mouse? Any cosmetic blemishes?.............

[tcuguy]

I know longer have the box, but the system comes with all of the peripherals including the Apple Pro Speakers.

The system is in great condition besides the few visual blemishes that Apple called mold lines.

[danbrew]

So what you're really saying is that you are either stealing those applications, or facilitating the theft by the person that buys the new machine?

You realize that you're talking about theft of products valued at over $5000? A felony in some states. It never ceases to amaze me that folks who would never consider walking into a software store and sticking product under their jacket will think nothing of loading up the hard drive with "free" software.

Yeah, I'm being a jerk, and I know that a ton of folks do this - but that doesn't make it right. You think stealing software is going to make it cheaper for all of us? Did you know that the software industry in the US last year would have doubled its revenue if it weren't for piracy?

food for thought.

[tcuguy]

I have not stolen anything. I have purchased all of those products for my personal use and they are registered under my name. I actually haven't even lent them out to my friends for use even though some of them ask me all the time. I was just saying what software is on my computer that I am selling. If someone wants a clean install, then I will be more than happy to do so. I am not selling or giving my applications to anyone in case someone is wondering. So if you want me to make discs of all my apps with serial numbers, that is something that I just will not do.

Hope that helps clear that issue up.

[WinnerMac]

perhaps if more software were more reasonable, and the software companies stopping being greedy, then may be it's a different story! Take the greedy/customer-lousy-oriented customer policy of the company making QuarkXpress and all the ridiculous high price of software like in the range of $500 or $600 per software, and u will find very little sympathy for the software companies. And if god forbid, u bougght the lousy software, u out of luck--no refund. So i see nothing wrong w/leaving the software on his cube for demo purposes for the buyers to try out. This way the software buyers can screw the ****ing greedy software company. I have enought of ****ing greeedy who doen't give a damn about its customers. To that i say "Shut up" and the the buyers test run! More power to consumers! And more ways to screw the greedy punks companies!

[mikithecrackhead]

originally falsely accused by danbrew

So what you're really saying is that you are either stealing those applications, or facilitating the theft by the person that buys the new machine?

You realize that you're talking about theft of products valued at over $5000? A felony in some states. It never ceases to amaze me that folks who would never consider walking into a software store and sticking product under their jacket will think nothing of loading up the hard drive with "free" software.

Yeah, I'm being a jerk, and I know that a ton of folks do this - but that doesn't make it right. You think stealing software is going to make it cheaper for all of us? Did you know that the software industry in the US last year would have doubled its revenue if it weren't for piracy?

food for thought.

tcuguy has righfully purchased the software, as he stated. I believe he has a RIGHT to sell it, just as long as he is not profiting from it, and judging by the price paid, and price that he will recieve he, is NOT.
I think danbrew should think twice before you accuse someone of theft.
It just upsets me that someone who righfully overpaid for software is being accused of theft or facilitating piracy.

[danbrew]

ah, crackheadbob, read the thread again. if you're selling a machine and not keeping copies of the software, and are including the original cds and docs in the deal, hey, god bless! that's what this country (and probably yours) is all about. if the price is right, and the deal is good, everybody is happy.

what's not fair to anyone - even the buyer - is when the machine is loaded up with software and the original product cds/docs don't go with it. then the seller is not selling the license he originally obtained from the publisher - he's printing his own money.

believe it or not, the guy who originally posted this thread contacted me via email and we had a very civil conversation around the issue.

hey - i'm not a software cop and could give two sh|ts whether or not you're a thief. but don't make yourself feel better by saying "everybody does it" or "the software company charges too much."

Imagine for a second if you had some sort of magic machine that would duplicate matter -- and I think there was a star trek episode along these lines (god - I don't believe I just referenced star trek in an argument... I've been near the computer for way too long) -- so you've got this fancy little machine the size of a large breadbox and it will duplicate matter. You simply open the door and stick in an item, close the door, press a button, and, presto, there are two items in the machine.

hmmm... let's imagine what would happen.

1. "I'm going to stick 1 share of Apple stock in this thing and keep going until I'm rich." (substitute Microsoft or IBM or Amazon if you'd like). Pretty soon you *do* have a ton of stock. But... haven't you devalued the stock at the same time? You might be able to cash in, but the company would soon fail.

2. "I'm going to stick a hundred bucks in this thing and keep pressing that button until I've got more money than Larry & Bill." Oh great, you're selfish and you've just caused the collapse of the economy. That'll probably lead to tension with our neighbors and, eventually, war. I sure hope you're happy in your nice new house while millions around the world are embroiled in World War III. And, btw, the winner would come for your house (and wife) eventually - they always do.

3. "I'm going to stick a G4DP1gHz machine in this thing and keep going until I can cluster to the nth degree. And I'll probably give one to all my friends." Super - at what point will Apple have to close their doors? They sure aren't selling computers anymore.

4. "I'm just going to steal software - and I don't even need that little magic box!" Hmmm... nothing wrong with the economic theory up above - it may take longer, but if enough people do it, the same things will happen.

5. And two very, very, very important things for you to think about:

a. What happens when everybody finds out about that magic box you got?
b. *Where* does all that extra matter come from?

[macadvocate]

I am in complete agreement with danbrew. I too have an item listed, and although I have software titles like Final Cut Pro and Photoshop, I disbelieve in including them to "raise the value" of my item.

Time and time again, I have had debates over software "pirating." Some like to think that they aid software makers in "evaluating and distributing" programs. They justify this act by saying that if people like the software, they will buy it. This is wrong. Software makers already have trial versions of their software available that serves this purpose.

In regards to the high prices, I can relate to those who feel that software is expensive. However, there are other options out there. For example, PhotoElements is a very cost effective and surprisingly powerful piece of software. It may not be the much more expensive Photoshop, but it's still very good. On the other hand, people may want the capabilities for Photoshop instead. Well, the only answer to that is good software is good for a reason and therefore more expensive. After all, we would not be yearning for a particular product if it were counterproductive, sparse, and basically crap.

Higher prices reflect the time and effort a company invests in its products. Apple's $999 professional Final Cut Pro application expended much more resources and effort than it's free consumer counterpart iMovie, hence the higher price.

In the long run: as more people steal software, there will be less people buying the products, and prices will rise higher. Thus, instead of stealing, support these companies and perhaps we, the consumers will be rewarded with either lower prices or more and better features.


I hope I have not offended too many people here, but I really wanted to express my views. If you have any comments, I would be glad to receive them at bizutsu@scu.edu.

[ 02-09-2002: Message edited by: macadvocate ]

[WinnerMac]

I stand firm on my position above! That customers have a right to test demo the software before buying and there is a law of fair usage. Not all software have demo versions...majority of them DON'T! It's buyers beware or buy it at your own risk. You buy the wrong one or not to your liking, their position (the software, their retailings) is tough luck! To that arrogant attitutdes, I say screw those punks.

[guerro]

I agree stealing is wrong and one should not pirate software. However, I dont think anyone should be crying poor mouth for the likes of Microsoft. Microsoft didn't get to where they are by charging 50 bucks for a title of software.