First off, no, I don't use or condone the use of pirated software. I'm actually trying to make a case against it.

In another forum I post at, the discussion came up about whether or not a piece of software's stability is comprimised when you crack the registration. Particularly when it affects the demo program's functionality, e.g., cracking the ability to save files, or turning off a 20 minute usage limit.

Can anyone cite some specific examples proving this point? I'd love to win this argument.

Its hard to say if it would as all programs are organized differently, many programs can do the same thing, and yet do it in a different method. In answer to you question, its yes and no, but it varries dependening on the program and how it was coded.

I think the biggest concern with cracked software is that you don't really know what you are getting. You don't know if the cracker installed some kind of spyware into the software when they cracked it or what.

I mean think about it, if i were one of those guys offering pirated versions of the Windows XP "Corporate" Edition I would certainly hack the wallet feature or the feature that remembers passwords on sites for you and collect as much credit card info as possible.

Jon