I have just sat and read from the start of this thread, to the last post (no military connotation indended!) and thought I'd ask a simple question...
Once Starforce is on your machine, how do you get rid of it again?
Six months ago I
purchased some software to use in my work, here in Ukraine. Published by "Transnavi.com" the software is electronic maps of Ukraine and various Cities (Kiev, Lvov etc) and is supplied on CD.
When I installed the software I thought nothing of the need to restart my machine (before the program was installed) and just accepted it as a "rather odd" install routine.
As I use these maps quite frequently, I thought I would make a copy and use the copy when "out in the field" (I find potential projects for property investors) and keep the original safe at home. Nero did not report any problems when I copied the disk but (as you all know) the copy would not work as it was not an original disk.
I must admit that I was a bit peeved by this as I believed that I was legitimately allowed to make a single copy for my own purposes and so hunted around on the internet to find a "will-copy-anything-no-problem" program (think it was called "CLoneCD" but can't remember as dumped it later). I then proceeded to waste (another) half a dozen CDRs in a fruitless attempt to get a single copy that worked. Then I gave up with a "Fair play!" to the copy-protection writers!
I
would like to make one thing clear, I was not trying to make a copy to save money! The price of these programs here is about $8 a throw -
Legally purchased (and delivered to my home!) by the recommended retailer in Kiev! I should have just bought another original copy (and have done so since) but, having fallen at the first hurdle, it became a bit of a bone of contention, that I could not do what I believe I am legally allowed to do (especially living in an ex-Soviet country where
everything used to be strictly controlled).
I then forgot all about it until I happened to spot something about Starforce Copy Protection being a virus/trojan/computer killer etc......
I remembered the "odd" install routine on the maps and checked the CD case. Sure enough, I found the Starforce Professional logo.
Before I go any further, I must say that I have not experienced any problems with my computer, nor have I noticed any unusual activity/lack of activity when accessing CD/DVD - based material. For all intents and purposes, there is nothing untoward going on inside my computer. For me, Starforce has not been a problem.
However, I CANNOT condone any activity that I see as an invasion of my privacy. If a company wants to employ technology like Starforce to protect their product (and let's face it, like it or not, it does it's job!!), then that is their affair BUT I WANT TO BE TOLD. I want to be told
exactly what it will do and I want to be given the option of saying "No! I do not want your software installed on my machine."
As it stands, the installation
does ask you if you want to proceed but, as has been mentioned elsewhere in this thread, nothing is metioned about what Starforce actually gets up to once installed.
And that brings me right back to where I started....
Once it is on your machine, how do you get rid of it? (It ain't the money, it's the principal!)
And Finally...
Publishers want to protect their "investment".
Gamers want to be able to run their purchases from virtual drives, external drives, RAM drives (maybe not!) and, providing they are not breaking any Copyright Laws, it is their legal right to do so.
Hackers will always come up with some sort of "fix" to circumvent any form of protection ("If man can make it, man can break it!" Just ask the guys who worked at Bletchley Park!)
Are there a lot of people upset about Starforce - undoubtedly!
Will this thread make a blind bit of difference to Starforce - sadly, I doubt it!
Will people give up because of that - I sincerely hope not!!
As a very dear friend once said: "I do not believe in God, nor do I believe in The Devil but, if they were to exist, surely The Devil would have no greater weapon to hasten the ultimate destruction of mankind, than Religion."
Sorry this has been a bit of a ramble and mark me down as another "won't use Starforce again" voter!
