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Conference hydra::amiga_v1

Title:AMIGA NOTES
Notice:Join us in the *NEW* conference - HYDRA::AMIGA_V2
Moderator:HYDRA::MOORE
Created:Sat Apr 26 1986
Last Modified:Wed Feb 05 1992
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:5378
Total number of notes:38326

1456.0. "DMCS request, and an Abel flame" by MEIS::ZIMMERMAN (Just what the doctor ordered) Fri Jun 03 1988 18:16

    Is there anyone out there I could get a copy of DMCS from?

    Now, before you all get your hackles up about the evils of
    purloined software, hear this tale of woe: 

    I ordered DMCS from Abel a couple of months ago.  The first disk
    I got was unreadable due to a bad first track, so I sent it
    back.  The second disk I got was physically bent.  The case had
    a curvature.  It had been shipped in a blister pack envelope,
    but, who knows, maybe a fork lift ran over it.  I sent that
    one back.  After waiting about a month for the next disk, I
    called Abel and was told that it would another four to six weeks
    before they could try again. 

    I had hoped to use DMCS in connection with my son's piano
    training.  In particular, I was hoping to help him out with a
    recital he has coming at the end of June.  If this were simply a
    case of waiting for something that was on back order, I'd cancel
    the order and buy DMCS somewhere else, but that's not the case. 
    I've got the box, I've got the manual, Abel has put the charge
    on my card, all I need is the disk.  So if someone has a copy I
    could use until Abel gets around to shipping, I'd really
    appreciate it. 

    Okay, now the Abel flame: 

    My experience with Abel has been that if they don't have what
    you want at the time you order and you get into their backorder
    queue, you can wait for months before they ship.  I put in an
    order for Rob Peck's book at the beginning of February, and it
    still hadn't been shipped as of last week, when I canceled the
    order.  I had another order that just got lost - no record.  So, 
    yeah, Abel's prices are good, but if they don't have it in stock 
    and you hope to get it within your lifetime, you might be better 
    off with another dealer.

    Flame off.

    - Cliff
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1456.1you're asking a lotSAUTER::SAUTERJohn SauterFri Jun 03 1988 18:508
    Copying the DMCS disk for someone else's use is a violation of
    Electronic Art's copyright, even in the case you describe.  You
    are asking for someone to break the law to save you a few dollars.
    
    I suggest you troop down to the nearest Amiga store and buy one
    off the shelf.  If Abel won't cancel the charge, chalk it up to
    experience.
        John Sauter
1456.2MVCAD3::BAEDERD. Scott DTN 237-2961 SHR1-3/E19Sat Jun 04 1988 00:315
    but what about "lending" an actual EA disk (the software is keyed)
    Would that be a No-no??  As for helping out by the end of june...I
    think your over-optimistic....
    
    scott 
1456.3only copying is restricted, not lendingSAUTER::SAUTERJohn SauterMon Jun 06 1988 12:153
    Legally, it would be OK to lend a disk, as long as the lender didn't
    keep a copy, and the lendee didn't make a copy.
        John Sauter
1456.4isn't DEC s/w license like this?TIGER::JANZENTom LMO2/O23 296-5421Mon Jun 06 1988 12:433
    Does the implied agreement for DMCS say that the owner will run
    the software on only one machine, which is why it's copy protected?
    Tom
1456.5one machine _at a time_SAUTER::SAUTERJohn SauterMon Jun 06 1988 14:517
    I haven't looked at the agreement recently enough to remember for
    sure, but I believe it requires the licensee to run the product
    on only one machine at a time.
    
    The copy protection on the old versions of DMCS is easily defeated,
    and EA has announced that the new version is not copy protected.
        John Sauter
1456.6Call for reinforcementsDPDMAI::ANDERSONAWed Jun 08 1988 00:5410
    If you are disatisfied with the Company that sold you the product
    call the charge card company and tell them your story.  They should
    go to bat for you.  I have not had the misfortune to go that route
    but I do know people that have had problems with mail order companies
    resolved with the help of the bank or who ever had their charge
    card.  It sounds like you have a good grievence.  Be warned it could
    end up in multiple phone calls before everything gets squared away.
    
    Alan
    
1456.7Big Flames on Abel18583::HAGERClyde Hager DTN 291-7221Mon Jun 20 1988 21:3127
>    If you are disatisfied with the Company that sold you the product
>    call the charge card company and tell them your story.

    That's right, and keep all documentation, copies of letters, etc.
    Get this:
    
    < Flame On >

    Abel got on my black list last year for many reasons.
    I ordered an A500 in June and got the usual story (when phone
    calls finally got through) "They're coming in any time now."  I
    changed my mind in September and cancelled the order.
    Another time, I sent them some copies of a program I wrote and am
    marketing.  They still have not paid for it.
    All attempts to reach someone who had any authority were met with
    "Oh, he just stepped out", or "I'll tell him to call you back."
    Once they sent the same item twice (a $399.00 memory) and billed
    my VISA twice! I got an authorization and sent it back, but they
    did not credit my VISA account.  I had to call VISA and send all
    the documentation to them.  It took five months, but I got credit
    from VISA.  I still have NEVER heard from Abel about any of these
    problems.
    
    < Flame Off >

    Thanks for listening,
    Clyde
1456.8Burn ABEL BurnHAZEL::MELLITZTue Jun 21 1988 14:0014
    < Flame On >
    
    ABEL....  Grrrrrrrrrrr ..!!!!!!!! me too.
    
    
   < Flame off >
    
    Did you just call the bank that you have you VISA on or did you
    got to somewhere else.??
    
    Do you have a address for ABEL that I may send a registered letter
    to?
    
    ... Rich
1456.9Credit Card RightsTLE::RMEYERSRandy MeyersWed Jun 22 1988 21:4215
Re: .8

>    Did you just call the bank that you have you VISA on or did you
>    got to somewhere else.??

Your monthly bill has a phone number that you should call about any
billing disputes.  Call them and explain the situation.  Call Abel
and tell them that you can contacted the credit card company.  And,
very important, follow up both phone calls with letters.  The letter
of the law states that written correspondence is needed when exercising
your credit billing rights.  (So when you call the credit card company,
get the name and address of the person you talk to so you can follow
up with a letter.)

Good Luck.  Hope things clear up for you.