We’ve all seen the email scams, where software pirates offer amazing deals on software through email. In fact I got one such message today:
From: michaell260@hotmail.com
Date: Fri, May 23, 2008 at 6:22 PM
Subject: Software
Software up to 75% off retail.
Most of the major programs are to expensive for most of us to justify buying. Now you can. Your opportunity is here.
Operating Systems, Business Software, Internet Security Suites. If I don’t have it, I’ll get it. Tell me what program you need.
Here are some examples:
Vista Ultimate w/SP1
QuickBooks Pro 2008
Microsoft Office Professional
Adobe Acrobat 8 Standard
Rosetta Stone Spanish Level 1-2-3 for Mac/PC
Chief Architect Better Homes & Gardens
Macromedia Flash Pro v8.0 PC/Mac
These are just a few. Let me know the program you want.
Shipping is free.
Michael
Those are some fantastic deals! His claims of up to 75 percent off retail is amazingly quite accurate. If I were to buy a copy of each piece of software he is offering for a mere $655, I would have spent right about $2800. By shopping with Michael, I would have saved 76.6%.
The problem is, I didn’t want any of the software he was offering. He says in his email that if he doesn’t have it, he’ll get it. I’ve been needing to get a copy of Ubuntu 8.04 64-bit Server Edition, but haven’t quite got around to it yet, so I sent our new buddy Michael an email asking if he could provide a legal copy for me.
Date: Fri, May 23, 2008 at 6:40 PM
Subject: Re: Software
Michael,
I’m not very technical so please bear with me. My technical support said I need several legal copies (very important they are legal because this is for my business) of Ubuntu 8.04 64-bit Server Edition.
Can you supply that? You have very good prices, so hopefully you can get me a good deal.
-Wayne
Strangely enough, I got a reply just a short while later!
I don’t have that in house so will have to go shopping. Get back to you soon.
In a short 15 minutes he found what I needed and helpfully provided a download location for me.
Yes, I can supply it and you are going to like the price. It is 100% legal.
http://releases.ubuntu.com/8.04/
It’s all yours.
Michael
Haha! I absolutely love playing the village idiot screwing around with folks… in other news, I’ve been extremely busy for the last few weeks. I’m moving 1500 miles to Texas for a new job. I’ll be the IT ninja for an amazingly kickass game developer in Austin.
The last bit of news I have is that fsckin w/ linux is going to see its 1 millionth unique visitor today! As of this moment we’re right about 3,000 away, which is not much at all, should happen by about lunchtime. I was planning to throw a party in celebration, but unfortunately I’ll be finishing up packing instead of having a few beers with friends and family.
Ahh well. I’d rather have a new job than a silly party.
Thanks to everyone who has ever promoted my site in any way, whether it be a digg here, a comment there, or a link with a quick blurb — without you I’d never see a million visitors in a paltry 9 months. I’m absolutely astounded by how many opportunities fsckin w/ linux has given me on a professional and personal level. Thank you again, and have a few beers for me, alright?
-Wayne