Yes, it may be illegal. In fact it is. Your independent interpretation afterwards doesn't matter. So anyway, what kinda video card are you running? I went out and got the PNY Geforce2 Ti 200. Oh, and BTW, I did get that ThermalRight SK-6 heat sink you suggested. That's one heavy mother. I hope I don't have any problems fitting it onto the Epox.
Just because something is illegal does not make it wrong. As a business owner, I'd rather have someone pirate my software, then buy it than have no sale at all. You shouldn't have any problems with the SK-6 . . . it's one of the smaller coolers you'll find. The only real problem with it is that it doesn't have a 6-pronged connector to the PGA slot, only 2 prongs. But with it being as light/small as it is (comparitively), it's not a problem. I'm running a Geforce 2 Pro/450 -- I've had it for about 2 months now (got it for $130 at PowerUp. It works very well. I wish I had the scratch to get a GF3, just so I could be at the VERY TOP of the 3dMark 2001 scores . . . I'm workin' on a case-mod right now that is gonna turn y'all out.
Stealing is stealing. Whether it be software, hardware, shoes, clothes, money...it's all illegal. That's why when I steal, I don't try to justify it with some twisted logic; I just do it, and I don't discriminate among methods.
IMO, physical items are a totally different ballgame than intellectual property . . . If you steal a car from a dealership, the owner not only loses the car itself, he loses the ability to sell the car. If you steal a song from an artist, he loses your potential sale -- that is all (unless you are thinking of buying it after hearing it). He can still sell the song to others, regardless of your action. I feel there is a deliniation between trial and stealing. With the car, they give you a test drive, where you can put it through some of your daily activities (or at least some typical driving habits) and you have tested out the entirity of the vehicle. If you're buying shoes, you can try them on, run around the store for a bit, see if you like them. But there is no such thing with computer software. Some companies release demos -- sometimes the demo is so stripped down that you have no basis on which to evaluate the software. In this case, it would be worth both your and the seller's time for you to try a full version. If that is not a feasible solution under their terms, and you are still interested in buying it, but aren't fully certain, what would be wrong with trying a full-version of it? Most other industries let you try it.
I am in no means endorsing piracy, and/or saying it is "okay". But, I believe that there are certain instances in which is it acceptable to test out the intellectual property in its entirity to determine if it is a worthwhile purchase.
NO NO NO NO NO !!!! There is absolutely NO time that TRYING something illegally is ok. That is what demos are for. You don't get to TRY out a movie before you see it do you? You don't get to TRY out a book before you buy it do you? This is as clear as night and day, you guys are just making a pathetic attempt at rationalizing your theft. DaDakota
I've walked out of a movie before halfway through and gotten my money back. I can't remember which one off the top of my head, but it's been done. I've also read a few chapters of a book at Barnes and Noble before buying it.
