11–20 of 87 posts
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?
Isn't this incentivising people to pirate before buying a legitimate license?
1. User tries to enter a bad SN or whatever; 2. You challenge him to let's say file X valid bug reports; 3. User gets 50% off or something like that.
It could work!
Isn't this incentivising people to pirate before buying a legitimate license?
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?
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'.
After I discovered people were doing that, I was rather surprised that they thought that the trademark serial number would be a valid registration key. I guess people don't read.
Edit: Thanks for the heads-up about the typo. Oops!
I wonder if the customer will now share the coupon code.
As a concept, people know that there's a real person behind every application. But it's not until moments like these when they're actually confronted with that person. Much less offered a deal for trying to rip them off.
Isn't this incentivising people to pirate before buying a legitimate license?
Look at the failure that is the legal system and how badly it addresses the problem of crime. Even under the threat of the harshest penalties, crime still happens. Even after locking someone up in a cage, they are still likely to re-offend.
Think about it - people cooperate with people they like. Trying to take someone's money, physical freedom or whatever else makes you their enemy. People are very unlikely to cooperate with their enemies. The trick is to not trigger that "you're an enemy" response. The result is an open line of communication and a real chance that the behavior will change.
In other words, we're not Pavlov's Dogs and a little common sense goes a long way.
Given how many people are enamored by computing devices which only have one button, it's clear that the vast majority will pay full price instead of going to the trouble of downloading the pirated software, installing it, doing whatever needs to be done for the coupon code to come up and then paying. It's much simpler to buy the damn thing and be done with it. If someone is going through all that trouble, they probably can't afford the retail price.
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
Thankfully free demos are coming back so it is easier to test a game legally before making the decision on the purchase.