How do you feel when people start with nulled copies of software, then upgrade later?

[KensonPlays]

Let's have a conversation. What are everyone's thoughts when someone starts off with a cracked/nulled copy of software to try it out and configure it just the way they like it, then upgrade to the paid licenses when they are able to afford it?

Some software like Invision Community, vBulletin, WoltLab, and XenForo may be very costly for some people to start, but they always plan to upgrade once they save up the funds. This could also apply to things like Adobe. Though I personally use cheaper alternatives like Affinity Photo myself.

How do you feel about that exactly?

Me personally, I feel uneasy about it, but if they are honest and do get a paid license down the road, once they've saved up the funds, then I am personally ok with it. But if they use it with no plans to upgrade to an actual license down the road, I am not ok with that.

 

[Ravenfreak]

I think if they truly do end up getting a paid license down the road then it's fine, however if they never pay for a license then it's not okay. However most companies have demos you can try out until you get a feel for the software, then you can purchase it. I get that those demos are limited sometimes, so that's why maybe some people go with nulled scripts at first and then actually pay for the software. Or they're just filthy pirates with no regard to the companies they're stealing from.

 

[KensonPlays]

most companies have demos you can try out until you get a feel for the software

Sometimes it can take more than a 7, 14, or 30 day trial to get a full opinion on the software, tbh. Or if you could export your demo data locally so you can actually give it a full try rather than just doing a few simple things, you could make full use of the demo period then download an export that could be imported once you do have the funds. Would allow you to actually allow a few of your biggest community members and staff to give it a good, honest try without losing the data a short period of time later and having to restart from scratch.

that's why maybe some people go with nulled scripts at first and then actually pay for the software

Yea, I've been reading on invisioncommunity's website, and a few people in one thread have went from nulled to paid since they were able to give it a good, lengthy try of sometimes a few months, then upgrading. What's your thoughts on that?

These people started nulled, then over time went paid and have been paying every year since:

• https://invisioncommunity.com/forums/topic/400096-ipb-nulled-forums/?do=findComment&comment=2480808
• https://invisioncommunity.com/forums/topic/400096-ipb-nulled-forums/?do=findComment&comment=2480782

 

[Ravenfreak]

Yea, I've been reading on invisioncommunity's website, and a few people in one thread have went from nulled to paid since they were able to give it a good, lengthy try of sometimes a few months, then upgrading. What's your thoughts on that?

These people started nulled, then over time went paid and have been paying every year since:

• https://invisioncommunity.com/forums/topic/400096-ipb-nulled-forums/?do=findComment&comment=2480808
• https://invisioncommunity.com/forums/topic/400096-ipb-nulled-forums/?do=findComment&comment=2480782

I think I'm fine with those people since they eventually purchased a license and used a legit copy of the software. However, if anyone does want to use a nulled script they're going to need to realize that the nulled script could be infected with back doors that could steal your members' information. So it's risky to use nulled scripts even if you end up converting to a legit version of it.

 

[KensonPlays]

I think I'm fine with those people since they eventually purchased a license and used a legit copy of the software. However, if anyone does want to use a nulled script they're going to need to realize that the nulled script could be infected with back doors that could steal your members' information. So it's risky to use nulled scripts even if you end up converting to a legit version of it.

That is always a possibility. But if you don't run it live and just do it localhost with some alt accounts to test things, minimizes the risk, I'd say.

I don't pirate myself, never have. I stopped using Adobe back in CS6 since I didn't like the route they were going with CC. Found Affinity Photo, Designer, etc. Then I found Davinci Resolve. Both amazing cheaper alternatives (and in Davinci's case, a free tier).

 

[Ravenfreak]

That is always a possibility. But if you don't run it live and just do it localhost with some alt accounts to test things, minimizes the risk, I'd say.

I don't pirate myself, never have. I stopped using Adobe back in CS6 since I didn't like the route they were going with CC. Found Affinity Photo, Designer, etc. Then I found Davinci Resolve. Both amazing cheaper alternatives (and in Davinci's case, a free tier).

For testing purposes is fine then. As long as you or whoever switches to a legit copy of the software upon making your website live, you should be fine. I use DaVinci Resolve myself as well as Kdenlive on Linux, I've tried Premier and thought it was lack luster to both of those free alternatives myself. Were you thinking of giving Invision a go and eventually switching to their platform when you get the money? I remember you mentioning you liked Invision, though it's very pricey.

 

[KensonPlays]

For testing purposes is fine then. As long as you or whoever switches to a legit copy of the software upon making your website live, you should be fine. I use DaVinci Resolve myself as well as Kdenlive on Linux, I've tried Premier and thought it was lack luster to both of those free alternatives myself. Were you thinking of giving Invision a go and eventually switching to their platform when you get the money? I remember you mentioning you liked Invision, though it's very pricey.

Yea. I am falling in love with it more and more, day by day. And looking at the v5 teasers makes me fall even more so in love with it. It has like 99% of what I want, with a few custom blocks for the page builder, I'm basically all set. And ChatGPT can help me build those blocks.

The theme editor in v5 will be extremely convenient and much easier to set up than xenforo, IMO.

Edit: also, apparently IPB doesn't need exec,passthru,popen,proc_open,shell_exec from what i've googled? XF does seem to need it and Hostinger doesn't seem to like those functions.

 

[daphne_colson]

I get it. There's a difference between trying before you buy and just using free stuff forever. As long as they convert to a paying customer eventually, it's a win for the developer in the long run.

 

[dojo]

I have used nulled versions of software in the past, 25 years ago, when my monthly salary was 100 dollars. 1 HUNDRED DOLLARS. Quite impossible to be able to pay for Adobe Photoshop, for instance. As soon as I earned more money, I upgraded everything. I now pay for each piece of software I use, sometimes I purchase lifetime deals, even if I don't use them.

 

[greenhost.cloud]

If they genuinely plan to upgrade later, I can understand the temptation, but it definitely feels off if they're just using it without any intention to support the creators.

 

[zappaDPJ]

I have used nulled software in the dim and distant past but only to make a purchasing decision. Today the majority of software vendors usually have a trial version available and personally I would not want to risk the potential payload from using nulled software.

If the software you want is unaffordable there are often free options available from elsewhere.

 

[KensonPlays]

If the software you want is unaffordable there are often free options available from elsewhere.

That may be true, but I've looked at myBB, phpBB, and SMF, they all look and feel extremely dated. The last x.Y update for SMF was nearly 10 years ago.

 

[zappaDPJ]

That may be true, but I've looked at myBB, phpBB, and SMF, they all look and feel extremely dated. The last x.Y update for SMF was nearly 10 years ago.

I can't comment on myBB and phpBB but I migrated a couple of forums from Xenforo to SMF so I've had a fair bit of experience with it. It's the software of choice for a sizable number of commercial outfits which says something I think and unless you need a lot of bells and whistles it's actually quite solid plus it's secure and light on server resources.

 

[KensonPlays]

I can't comment on myBB and phpBB but I migrated a couple of forums from Xenforo to SMF so I've had a fair bit of experience with it. It's the software of choice for a sizable number of commercial outfits which says something I think and unless you need a lot of bells and whistles it's actually quite solid plus it's secure and light on server resources.

I used them like 10 years ago when SMF 2.0 was new. Then there was no updates for over 5 years so I gave up on em. I like having all-in-one solutions where possible.

 

[Nomad]

As a student I used cracked software., I no longer do that. I will avoid buying it if I cannot afford instead of using cracked version