Does Apple keep Tiger users under surveillance?
 

I recently bought Mac OS 10.4 (in Denmark) and the salesman told me that if I installed Mac OS 10.4 single user license on more than one computer, I would not be able to access the Internet from both computers at the same time. Is it really true that Apple keep all honest users under surveillance to insure that nobody uses Tiger unauthorized? If so how is that technically possible?

I've never heard of that. In addition, OS X has no online activation or copy protection, which does exist in Windows XP.

I did a clean install of little snitch when I got Tiger and it hasn't detected any outgoing calls from the OS. I am not a big one for giving away any personal info I don't have to so I made sure I was offline during the install and all the way upto Little Snitches install.


(ps I know little snitch doesn't stop everything!)
:D

It would be technically possible for Apple to leak info and very hard to trace that unless you completely capture traffic from and to Apple on your firewall.

Then again, imagine the PR-fallout should someone find out about it.

Highly unlikely.

You guys are full of it. I clearly saw a black helicopter circle my house while I was installing Tiger!

Wait, never mind. If it was an Apple helicopter, it would be all-white, wouldn't it?

Have any of you purchased a family license , I did and found it actually only has a single licence copy and documentation ( paper and electronic).

The Apple store in London advised me that "They did not realised this was the case and yes it seems after checking all their family packs are like this, and Its best I not lose the receipt or the packaging"

So it doubtful they would do this as it would mean people like me would Sue their arse off for selling me a single user product and while advertising and charging me for a multi user product.

All though I have only installed it on one machine so far so watch this space.

No red or green
:D

I have purchased and installed Panther's Family Pack. It was the same, one disk, no obvious difference in appearance of the disk. All access the internet fine. I have also purchase Tiger Family Pack, but only have it on one computer so far.

the salesman was trying to get you to buy multiple copies or a family pack. Which we really should do to be honest but in my experience it has not been *cough* a problem.

I think it is part of thier scheme to take over the world. launch a Intel version without copy control . . .

er No I wanted the family Pack.

But yes I have always thought the lack of control was a ploy to get as many Mac users as possible.

It could be done, most definitly....but does it seem like something Apple is worrying about, I doubt it....In recent years they have done very little to snuff out software piracy and such....as much as it might damage their wallet, i think they understand for now, it is good to get their stuff out there and the better the exposure is worth the price that someone may or may not have paid for something. Microsoft may have it's OS communicate to the outside world, but I don't think Apple has dedicated resources to that sort of thing, at least not yet...

Considering that Apple makes most of its money on hardware sales, and that you've needed a Mac to run the OS, that might be one reason why they haven't been as strict as they could be on illicit software use.

After awhile, the newer OSes just won't run on the older hardware--or not very well, at least. This, too, helps to restrict widespread illicit dissemination of a new OS, and maybe helps to promote hardware sales.

I, too, have a family license. As stated above, there is no obvious difference to the normal package. And I installed it on four computers so far.
After more than 10 years of mac experience I can tell you that apple doesn't seem to care too much about "re-used" install disks. As hayne said, they make the money on hardware... So, apple leaves it to you and your conscience.
Anyway, you should remember that each installed copy will register itself at apple (or at least try to).

cheers,
pink

This might be a good place to inform those who are not comfortable with the part of the installer that is asking for all your juicy personal data that a simpe [Command]-Q will dismiss that page, come up with a very funny dialogue along the lines "Are you sure you really don't want to feed our marketing-database? Damnit. You can still change your mind later, but so be it then.".
Then the installer goes on to create the first user account.

So no requirement at all to register, even if it looks a lot like that unless you know keyboard shortcuts ;) .

You're missing the point about a 'license'. The code base is exactly the same, so you will only receive one set of discs. The family license is simply an agreement you have with the vendor (Apple) to use the code concurrently on 3 different machines. As there are no serial numbers or activation with OSX, there's really nothing else needed. When they raid your house you hold up the holy cross license and they will shrivel away.

Example - I run Filemaker and OSX Server, 10-client. Both of these programs use serials. If I want extra installs of Filemaker I just get numbers, not cd's. If I want the unlimited version of OSX Server I will probably have to buy the box, but only because that's the way it's packaged. I don't need to reinstall my server, just enter the $500 number stuck on the disc envelope.

Just to clarify . . . the family package is for 5 machines.

It seems like Apple could do something to code for family vs. single-user software, and this would not necessarily entail the use of users entering serial numbers (this could be embedded in the code, perhaps with the version number). Furthermore, they could easily monitor how many machines the OS was installed on through Software Update. If they would detect a single-user item on multiple computers, they could then move in for the confrontation. That they do not do so seems to be more a matter of policy related to PR than anything else, imo.

Actually that WAS my point about the family pack, If they raided my house even though I paid for the family pack, the license in the package was only for one install, and mentioned nothing about 5 installs being allowed. (check yours)
The apple store confirmed this and all they could say was do not lose the packaging with the family pack stickers on.

Well Done Apple that sorted that out for me then... :(

It sounds like Apple needs to update their license agreement for the Family Pack.

What This Thread Needs Is Some
 

Tinfoil.

Makes a great hat.

I did some checking on the family pack license. I found that for both Panther and Tiger there is a single sheet of paper which is an addendum to the regular license; this is where it states that you may install the OS on up to 5 machines.

Ah.. for god sake, I just found it. buried between the software coupon and Applecare Service and Support Guide.
Why the hell did not the apple store tell me to look for that...

Thanks,

Too low tech a solution? ;)

Perhaps we should just be grateful that Apple does not annoy their customers with "online activation" and other silly things and cut them some slack with the hard-to-find license.

It's not like one of those black helicopters is about to land on your lawn, the guys on board kicking your door and taking you with them should you be unable to produce appropriate license documentation ;) .

Black could mean it is an Apple-stealth chopper!