How I converted a software thief into a customer

#1

Post by tghw » Tue, Jul 17, 2012, 7:45 PM UTC

How I converted a software thief into a customer
blurity.com

Re: How I converted a software thief into a customer

#2

Post by waqf » Tue, Jul 17, 2012, 8:13 PM UTC

But what was the origin of the invalid numbers? That's the teaser I kept reading for ...

Re: How I converted a software thief into a customer

#3

Post by tghw » Tue, Jul 17, 2012, 8:19 PM UTC

waqf wrote: post #2

But what was the origin of the invalid numbers? That's the teaser I kept reading for ...

Think like someone trying to get software for free, and you should get it.

Re: How I converted a software thief into a customer

#4

Post by droithomme » Tue, Jul 17, 2012, 9:12 PM UTC

Very nice anecdote. There's a lot of controversy on how to handle piracy and piracy attempts. Many developers and companies get angry and create police-state quality authoritarian solutions that punish their legitimate users. Obviously from the way I express it I feel this is not the best response. We draw the line at providing hand holding customer support to pirates, but we do gratefully accept well formed bug reports from them, without judgement. Being polite but firm and reasonable sometimes results in a conversion.

Re: How I converted a software thief into a customer

#5

Post by sharkweek » Tue, Jul 17, 2012, 9:20 PM UTC

Notch, of Minecraft fame, is well known for these types of shenanigans, even shaming a Minecraft pirate in a Quake 3 match (http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20120412/07474418467/friend...)

Not sure it's scalable, but sure makes for a fun alternative to perpetual legal battles

Re: How I converted a software thief into a customer

#6

Post by [deleted] » Tue, Jul 17, 2012, 9:22 PM UTC

waqf wrote: post #2

But what was the origin of the invalid numbers? That's the teaser I kept reading for ...

[deleted]

Re: How I converted a software thief into a customer

#7

Post by Torrents » Tue, Jul 17, 2012, 9:27 PM UTC

tghw wrote: post #3

waqf wrote: post #2

But what was the origin of the invalid numbers? That's the teaser I kept reading for ...

Think like someone trying to get software for free, and you should get it.

OK, I'm thinking like someone who's trying to get software for free. I still don't get it.

If they were modifying an existing valid key, it doesn't seem like people would keep using the same one. Unless people are downloading a keygen or something.

Any more hints?

Re: How I converted a software thief into a customer

#8

Post by activepeanut » Tue, Jul 17, 2012, 9:29 PM UTC

Isn't this incentivising people to pirate before buying a legitimate license?

Re: How I converted a software thief into a customer

#9

Post by joshmlewis » Tue, Jul 17, 2012, 9:31 PM UTC

Torrents wrote: post #7

tghw wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Think like someone trying to get software for free, and you should get it.

OK, I'm thinking like someone who's trying to get software for free. I still don't get it. If they were modifying an existing valid key, it doesn't seem like people would keep using the same one. Unless people are downloading a keygen or something. Any more hints?

To me it seems like these keys were shared on a site somewhere and when people Googled for free blurity key or whatever these came up.

Re: How I converted a software thief into a customer

#10

Post by dmn001 » Tue, Jul 17, 2012, 9:33 PM UTC

waqf wrote: post #2

But what was the origin of the invalid numbers? That's the teaser I kept reading for ...

There more info here: http://www.keacher.com/1060/how-i-got-to-my-first-sale/

The first result for "blurity serial number" points to https://www.trademarkia.com/blurity-77870929.html

Edit: Entering the serial number does indeed produce the easter egg dialog, with a coupon code that still works. BTW, there is a typo on the buy page 'regsitration'.