What do you do when a piece of shareware can't be purchased

[MrMungus]

anymore? The website that's listed for purchase no longer exists...?

[johnclark]

perhaps if you use Kazza or another type of file-sharing program to search and download the files you're in need of.

let me know what happens

[Roundabout]

What's the name of the program? Are you sure there are no updates (Google search it) or that they weren't bought by another company? Did you look at the help section of the program itself to see if there is a contact number or address? One last option would be to try and find similar software to use from another company. How old is this program?

[rhegedus]

SpruceUp?

[MrMungus]

perhaps if you use Kazza or another type of file-sharing program to search and download the files you're in need of.

let me know what happens

No, I mean, I have the program, just no way to pay for it to get past the free trial part...other than, well, you know...

[Roundabout]

MrMungus, Have you checked out what I suggested? There has to be a way to contact whoever made it, or whoever purchased the company. I don't know, maybe there is such a thing as "abandonware"?

[MrMungus]

MrMungus, Have you checked out what I suggested? There has to be a way to contact whoever made it, or whoever purchased the company. I don't know, maybe there is such a thing as "abandonware"?

Maybe. I'll look around. By the way, it's RA2WAV if anybody knows.

[BJ_M]

its now StreamBox Ripper, formerly RA2Wav

neither are now supported after Real got after them .....

[BJ_M]

As of version 2.011, this program is freeware and has no trial limitations.

Thats for StreamBox ripper ...

you can download it here http://www.sonicspot.com/streamboxripper/streamboxripper.html

its at the bottom of the page


see notes below -- this version may not have RA support

[Roundabout]

MrMungus,

I have an old copy of Streambox Ripper that I can send you by e-mail - I've had it for several years and it's definitely freeware. You don't need a crack or serial for it to work, the last time I used it was 2 yrs ago and I'm sure it supported Real Audio as well as MP3 and WAV. Very small program ~1.1MB and works really well. PM me with your e-mail address if you need it.

[BJ_M]

or you can download the latest (also free) version at the link i gave above

[Roundabout]

Yes, but as you noted, the newer version doesn't support RA. If he needs that function, then he'll need the older version. Otherwise, he may as well just d/l the newer one like you mentioned.

[BJ_M]

the version posted supports it .... so they say ... it was after that that it got nukered ....

but sometimes -- a prev. version IS better ... so yours may be in fact the one to use .......
so its good of you to offer it , don't get me wrong ....

[jeex]

silly canadians

[Roundabout]

Even though I don't have it installed on my PC presently, I must have the older version, because it does have RA. Been so long since I used it, I don't know exactly which revision it is. All I know for sure is it is freeware, without restrictions of any kind. After I read your post, I remembered I had it buried on an old CD-R of freeware tools I keep around for whatever reason. I dug it up and found the program. I know it was kinda hard to find for a long time, pulled because of the RA issues. I found a website that still had it back in '99 or '00 (I think) and grabbed it while it was still there.

I copied/pasted this from that site you linked to. Seems RA has been removed for good.

Version 2.011 (newest version):
RealAudio support has, yet again, been removed. This time permanently.
The product is no longer sold and this release has unlimited batch conversion support for all supported formats.

Version 2.009 - 1/20/99:
While a step back in the version number, it's a step forward in features.
RealAudio support has been brought back for converting RealAudio files to WAV, MP3 and WMA.

Version 2.010 - 12/17/99:
Added second generation Fraunhofer MP3 Encoder and decoder
CD jitter control
Improved support for SureStream files
CD ripping with simultaneous MP3 encoding increased to x5 speed

Version 2.003:
Support for G2 decoding
New resampler engine
Support for WAV and CDDA (ASPI)

[BJ_M]

must still be a popular program (mostly in china) -- version 2.010 is all over the net .. http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=%22StreamBox+Ripper+2%2E010%22


if you say 11 is no good -- ill pull the link above ... i went by what was posted on thier forum (never believe a forum)

personally i think RA kinda suxs anyway quality wise

[The village idiot]

As of version 2.011, this program is freeware and has no trial limitations.

Thats for StreamBox ripper ...

you can download it here http://www.sonicspot.com/streamboxripper/streamboxripper.html

its at the bottom of the page


see notes below -- this version may not have RA support

However, due to legal issues, Streambox Ripper no longer converts RealAudio or any RealMedia files.

[northcat_8]

No, I mean, I have the program, just no way to pay for it to get past the free trial part...other than, well, you know...

This raises a question....if a software has been discontinued...is cracking it still considered warez even when you cannot purchase it anymore?

Seems to me that you are kind of inbetween, if you want to keep the version you have you're going to have to crack it, if not you'll have to upgrade and lose the feature you want the program for in the first place.

If you still have the installer, you could uninstall and reinstall. You'll have to clean the registry entries out manually since most sharewares leave an entry so you can't do that.

[Rookie64]

This raises a question....if a software has been discontinued...is cracking it still considered warez even when you cannot purchase it anymore?

Yes, it is :P


In this case, the reason that feature has been discontinued is that it isn't legal to use it in the first place.

You're dealing with copyright infringement with the legal owner of the file source and infringing on Real Media's code by converting it - at least two big NO-NOs right there.

[Roundabout]

But, I don't think anyone would consider it warez if you have, like I do, the older version that was freeware (no crackz/serialz needed) and use it. It was freely distributed and anyone could get it. I haven't used it in a long time, but I kept it around, just in case. Like you can continue to use DVD X Copy if you have a copy bought before the ripper was removed, though the decryption has been deemed "illegal", you purchased a copy legally and can continue to use it. Now it may be true that Streambox encroached on the RA license (was it ever litigated? I have no idea), but up till the time it was challenged (like the 321 case), it was available to the public. So that brings up an interesting case. It's not warez, at least not in the traditional sense that you have an illegally downloaded version with a crack, but rather a copy of a freely distributed program that was later discontinued due to legal issues just like DVD X Copy. So I don't know where that sits, from a legal standpoint, though I know no one would worry about using it if they had it.

[MrMungus]

No, I mean, I have the program, just no way to pay for it to get past the free trial part...other than, well, you know...

This raises a question....if a software has been discontinued...is cracking it still considered warez even when you cannot purchase it anymore?

Seems to me that you are kind of inbetween, if you want to keep the version you have you're going to have to crack it, if not you'll have to upgrade and lose the feature you want the program for in the first place.

If you still have the installer, you could uninstall and reinstall. You'll have to clean the registry entries out manually since most sharewares leave an entry so you can't do that.

See, that's what I'm asking. No one sells it anymore and I know I can easily find a serial to input...

[MrMungus]

This raises a question....if a software has been discontinued...is cracking it still considered warez even when you cannot purchase it anymore?

Yes, it is :P


In this case, the reason that feature has been discontinued is that it isn't legal to use it in the first place.

You're dealing with copyright infringement with the legal owner of the file source and infringing on Real Media's code by converting it - at least two big NO-NOs right there.

Not necessarily. What if I have an audio file I've recorded as .ra and I want to convert it to something else?

Converting a proprietary file format is infringement? How so?

[MrMungus]

But, I don't think anyone would consider it warez if you have, like I do, the older version that was freeware (no crackz/serialz needed) and use it. It was freely distributed and anyone could get it. I haven't used it in a long time, but I kept it around, just in case. Like you can continue to use DVD X Copy if you have a copy bought before the ripper was removed, though the decryption has been deemed "illegal", you purchased a copy legally and can continue to use it. Now it may be true that Streambox encroached on the RA license (was it ever litigated? I have no idea), but up till the time it was challenged (like the 321 case), it was available to the public. So that brings up an interesting case. It's not warez, at least not in the traditional sense that you have an illegally downloaded version with a crack, but rather a copy of a freely distributed program that was later discontinued due to legal issues just like DVD X Copy. So I don't know where that sits, from a legal standpoint, though I know no one would worry about using it if they had it.

Well, one reason I'm asking is because I'm writing some guides on my site and I wanted to write one about converting various file formats and one guide is Real Audio to WAV and I'd need to give people a link to somewhere to get a Real Audio to WAV converter *or* offer the program on my site. So the question is, can I offer the program on my site with a working serial if the company that sold the product no longer exists and/or no longer sells that product?

[Roundabout]

I'd need to give people a link to somewhere to get a Real Audio to WAV converter *or* offer the program on my site. So the question is, can I offer the program on my site with a working serial if the company that sold the product no longer exists and/or no longer sells that product?

I think, in this case the short answer is, probably not. I don't think there are any more freeware tools that will convert RA to WAV format (I could be wrong, I haven't done extensive research into this). Real wants license fees to distribute their code (nothing wrong with that) and I guess they forced all the companies that were providing a free way to do it to either pay the fees or stop distributing the code.

However, the copy I have of Streambox needs NO serial or anything to make it work, just install and go. AFAIK, it was not sold, only given away freely, so there was no need for a serial or crack. But since it isn't distributed anymore, I wouldn't take a chance on being the website to re-distribute it, that's probably inviting trouble. If you want to use it for your own personal use, there probably isn't an issue.

[Roundabout]

MrMungus,

Check your PM, just sent to you now.

Roundabout

[Rookie64]

But, I don't think anyone would consider it warez if you have, like I do, the older version that was freeware (no crackz/serialz needed) and use it. It was freely distributed and anyone could get it. I haven't used it in a long time, but I kept it around, just in case.

I was attempting sarcasm (refer to threads on DVD backups).

After I noticed this thread had been reported (not by me) for violating forum rules, I felt as posting that came off as very mean (and I'm not that type of person)
Honestly, I have no problem with what programs anyone uses or legality on any of 'em.


However, I've been told long ago, even when it was available, that Streambox was illegal software.




MrMungus wrote:

Not necessarily. What if I have an audio file I've recorded as .ra and I want to convert it to something else?

Converting a proprietary file format is infringement? How so?

Well, what is the difference in copying copyrighted audio and making a copy of copyrighted video?
If you say it's OK to convert one format to another...then that's saying it's OK to convert VOB to any other format (and that's what you've been saying is very wrong all over the forum :P )

[rhegedus]

Well, we could just use something like Total Recorder to capture the audio stream while it's playing, or even hook up the speakers to an external recorder and capture the sound that way...... or we could just use Streambox.

Different methods, different legalities (depending on how retentive you feel about it all), but the same result....

[MrMungus]

But, I don't think anyone would consider it warez if you have, like I do, the older version that was freeware (no crackz/serialz needed) and use it. It was freely distributed and anyone could get it. I haven't used it in a long time, but I kept it around, just in case.

I was attempting sarcasm (refer to threads on DVD backups).

After I noticed this thread had been reported (not by me) for violating forum rules, I felt as posting that came off as very mean (and I'm not that type of person)
Honestly, I have no problem with what programs anyone uses or legality on any of 'em.


However, I've been told long ago, even when it was available, that Streambox was illegal software.




MrMungus wrote:

Not necessarily. What if I have an audio file I've recorded as .ra and I want to convert it to something else?

Converting a proprietary file format is infringement? How so?

Well, what is the difference in copying copyrighted audio and making a copy of copyrighted video?
If you say it's OK to convert one format to another...then that's saying it's OK to convert VOB to any other format (and that's what you've been saying is very wrong all over the forum :P )

Maybe I should rephrase my question: "What if I have a Real Audio file that is not copyrighted that I want to convert to something else?" Then there would be no copyright violations.

I'm not saying it's wrong to copy copyrighted video. I'm saying it's technically illegal. (By the way, it's legal to copy audio you've bought but not video).

[Rookie64]

Maybe I should rephrase my question: "What if I have a Real Audio file that is not copyrighted that I want to convert to something else?" Then there would be no copyright violations.

If it's a file you created yourself, just use the original source with any audio recording program of your choice to make the format you wish - the quality would be much better.

Converting a Real Audio file to any other format is gonna sound really awful anyway. Would wonder why anyone would want to do that unless it was something extremely rare.

[MrMungus]

If it's a file you created yourself, just use the original source with any audio recording program of your choice to make the format you wish - the quality would be much better.