yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] harbringer:
I think it's the best idea, you can't simply ask those bast...to stop. It won't never work. but you can tell people your software are free. You can make a link to a website for S2 software.

I suppose i m not the only to think that your 3 software are in the top ten for our phones.

But i respect your decision it's your work.

Thanks a lot A_C
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] Blobbyfacedman:
%$^&*&%*(%^$&

What is wrong with people? It's illegal to do this:mad: IDIOTS!
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] Blobbyfacedman:
Oh yeah, and harbringer, I think that A_C should do that. And make the splash screen take a long time, cause that's when people actually read them because they have nothing else to do while they wait. I read them anyway tho. I edited your reply by the way. :) not =). =D sucks! :mad: it looks like Mickey Mouse.
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] ronschaefer:
If you want to fight dirty

If you want to fight dirty - then you could get a copy of their product - repackage it - then sell it cheaper or for free. Make a web site with a similar name and use some tricks to get google to find your web site when someone searches for iphone clone or what not. After all if anyone is entitled to make some money off that iphone clone package its the guy who wrote part of it.
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] counterfitninja:
I agree with the splash screen. If you want it stay free then at least tell people where it comes from. I would be willing to pay if it helps.

Keep up the great work A_C.. we need you products here.
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] quicksite:
I very much like the idea of branding a site a "THIEF SITE"

and DIGGing it. I think that's one important aspect of the solution: Brand destruction and economic consequences for stealing/

And who the asshole "surrogates" being sent from "iphonethemeforPPC.com" to continue to SPAM this thread with crap like "I just searched their site and found they say blah blah blah". You think people are stupid around here. Anyone can register here and be a sockpuppet for that THIEF SITE: IPHONETHEMEFORPPC.com

And I still would like to ask the XDA site admins: WHY DO KEEP ACCEPTING ADS from iphonethemeforPPC.com ? I think that is morally wrong. You should stop doing so immediately. And if it is a matter of Google Ad words inserting these ads without anyone's control, then write to Google and request that they block those ads from appearing on this site.

These people need to be economically "sanctioned" and boycotted in every manner possible.
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] quicksite:
I doubt this would help. When you deal with thieves, who operate with psychopathic disregard for the harm they cause, they just fight dirtier. Besides, they are an amalgam of several site owners who collaborated to form a network of sites with different domain names and slightly varied user interfaces so they can maximize their reach via GOOGLE AD WORDS, so that every variable of "iphone theme" "windows mobile" "ppc" is handled within their network of affiliated sites.

You'd end up never knowing if you're dealing with those very same assholes -- who start "competing" with themselves by just registering names and then selling it cheaper themselves, just to further confuse unsuspecting buyers.
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] quicksite:
I liked Dishe's suggestion: Very Practical -- except for one element

The one problem here is that IF such a user saw this EULA, and he/she attempted to get such a refund, no way it would happen. I tried to get a refund from the thief-site IPHONETHEMEFORppc.com assholes and they wouldn;t even answer the emails, at least 5 of them. i then tried to get refunded by PayPal, but they will not do anything to these THIEF SITES.

The practical reality is that these thief-site owners know that the time it takes to keep hounding them to answer an email or refund you is not worth the effort compared to the $10 you spent to purchase the thief-ware they sold you, and that you will just give up -- as I eventually did.

Is there any kind of software trick that can be written into an application that A_C or others write that detects if that application has been zipped with other apps, or somehow carries an ability to, once installed, display the site URL for the site you downloaded the package from?

From my experience with these kind of unscrupulous people, you cannot beat them unless there is a law enforcement remedy -- and there isn't. So the only thing you can do is TARNISH THEIR BRAND -- and use Google-bombs or other techniques to provide search-returns for keywords like "thief sites" or "thiefsites" that place www.iphonethemeforPPC.com at the top of those search-return lists. There is no such thing as "playing nice guy" with these people -- or trying to petition them or appeal to their sense of decency -- they have none, and will never crack.
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] quicksite:
Menneisyys has correct approach: they must be exposed at various PPC resource sites

But I still say XDA itself could do something -- if they chose to -- and I cannot understand why the site admins do not do this:

DESIGN INTO the global navigation on this site, in the header and footer, a link that says "Beware of these Thief-Sites selling Free Apps" --

and have that link go to a very clean page, outside of this forum UI, that has an A-Z index across the top, and then a list of all sites that people find, such as the primary THIEF-SITE www.iphonethemeforPPC.com ...

ALSO at the top and bottom of this Clean-Page, is a link or SUBMIT FORM that says "add a thief-site listing here" -- and the submission adds it to this LIST OF THIEF-SITES page. Whenever a new site is added to the list, the GLOBAL NAV links on every header and footer of XDA forums gets a RED ASTERISK in parentheses such as (*2 NEW) (like the number of new messages you have in your inbox) -- as a way of letting all users here know there is a new thief-site added to the list.

And to provide a safeguard against any irresponsible use of such a submission, any new submission gets a *RED ASTERISK NOTE to the right of it on the List Page like this:

NameOfSIte.com ( "UNVERIFIED as of xx/xx/xx date" )

Then it becomes the collective duty of forum members here to occasionally scout this list, and click to check to see if the site name that has been added is, in fact, selling "thief-ware". If so, there woiuld be a mechanism to have the "unverified" removed, which then authenticates thatn site as being a true THIEF-SITE.

If XDA adopted this idea, then it would not only help A_C but also every other developer on this site. It would be a great self-policing clearinghouse page, vs having the names of these sites buried in the 35th comment of an obscure thread title.

Does anyone here think this is a good idea?
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] MACkjam:
Hi A_C,

Firstly thank you for your great work. I use S2U2 on my device. Really cool. I am sorry to hear that you have stopped new developments as a result of piracy. This is really a testament to your great work. They wouldn't try sell crap. Your apps are top quality stuff.

Just a thought my friend. Why let some dumbass pirate stop your brilliance? We, the members of this forum admire and use your work. I would gladly pay for some of your stuff. It is better than many commercial apps. For the sake of your friends here, please don't stop. We will never be able to stop piracy completely.

An old proverb says that in hard times rich men suffer, but poor men suffer more. So what this means is that the pirates will suffer as a result of your cessation of new development, but we, your friends and fellow XDA forumites, will suffer more!

RESISTANCE IS FUTILE.....hehehe

Thank you very much once again.

MAC
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] A_C:
Official website

I've just set up a website... http://www.ac-s2.com

I'm still waiting for some legal advice... so please stay tuned...

Again, thanks all for your comments & supports!
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] Sian:
Great! Will keep a close eye on your website.. :)

Hope everything works well for you..
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] quicksite:
Way to go, A_C . Looks like you got your legal advice since you now specify a freeware license. I think this is great news for all of us -- and shows good leadership for how others should address these same issues.
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] FatBoyExtraordinaire:
Great news A_C. I know what site i'll be checking everyday now! :)
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] AkshayGenius:
WOOHOO! That means you're not suspending development right? Great news! I'm going to be checking that website daily now! Great to see you're back :)

Akshay
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] syrguy1969:
Fantastic!!!! I am glad to see your going again!!! I will be donating again soon, I hope you lick the 800w incompatibility issue before I get one LOL!!!!

P.S. What is this change: weather info from Mxxxxx? I never heard of it!! It won't change being able to chose from other different sources, will it?
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] Chainfire:
Welcome back A_C (*feels happy*)

I'd adive you to put the downloads BELOW the license and disclaimer though...
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] snovvman:
Charge a small fee for app, require registration to unlock after eval period. I'd be happy to pay for it. I know it's not what you intended, but there are unethical people out there. You can make the registration model simple like sMMS (someguy MMS for Sprint). Enter phone number, online lookup, registration done.

Thanks for all your efforts.
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] syrguy1969:
A_C must be doing dome work on it, the site is down now!! I will be checking this daily now (probably many times a day LOL)!!!!
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] Grondinm:
did his site go down...it wont load for me...
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] syrguy1969:
Probably just being worked on, I am trying every few minutes, I'm betting it will pop up soon with some differences that what we saw earlier!!
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] captkkk:
I can tell form those "money thirst" MFKR that they really would do whatever it takes to fulfill their sickening activity.

Selling other people's work and re-package as their own accomplishment, wow, I bet they earn their money just like those who are fed on hookers.
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] A_C:
site down

@ALL

The official website is currently down because of the web-hosting company's problem. If you have any spare/free web hosting capacity, please PM me. Thanks.
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] Noonski:
There, There, Captain.

I can relate to your Anger, but not in front of the Children ;)

Haven't used S2U in a while.

But looks like the only real way to combat this is by having a one time Pop Up at First Launch to Warn the User about the app did not need Payment etcetc. Don't know where i've seen this or if A_C is applying this or what he thinks about this.
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] Who-m3:
Message left... Let me know.
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] VandyCWG:
AC....

I just sent you a PM.

WebSpace is yours if you want it, I have plenty!

It would be my honor to help you!

-Chris
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] Licorne:
to A_C,

may it is a possibility to prevent them sell ur S2U2 app in a Iphone package:

Dont let it look like a iphone slider.

I mean, change the design a bit. Instead of a slider u might use a circle

(i think of a rotary knob like a watch or a compass or something).

We need to spin around that knop to unlock the Device (instead of slide).

I think this way to unlock a device, would be very cool too. The most ppl are

using your software, cause it is a good software and not cause it is iphone like.

And this betrayers cant sell a software that is different to iphone style, in a

iphone package.

Next Idea: When S2U2 starts u have a little scroller witch says your name.

Change this to: Freeware by A_C (in this way), so ppl who bought it, will be

informed that they have been betrayed.

What do u think about that ?

cu

Licorne

PS: Dont stop ur Work. You've made much more ppl happy with your Apps,

than u can count here...
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] A_C:
Official site up again

The official site www.ac-s2.com is up again.

Thanks those who have PMed me and offered your generous web spaces.
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] AkshayGenius:
Great to see the update on S2U2, looks like a nice new feature you're adding there. Will it work only when the call comes when its locked or otherwise aswell.

I don't want to sound greedy, but how are you doing with S2P?

Awesome work A_C!!

Akshay
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] tuuquy:
To A_C,

I have just visited your official site www.ac-s2.com, and I like two new features you added to S2U2 a lot. When I and others can get your update?

S2U2 WIP (7 October 2008)

S2U2 WIP (1 October 2008)

Waiting for you....
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] cramsey:
waiting also!

S2U2 WIP (7 October 2008)

I like and I want!

And willing to wait! :p
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] TRLOS:
Cheap ass Bastards

Well, the ultimate revenge would be to post the same software on your website just as they have it and offer it for free. Then get onto youtube and all the other forums and post it up. Also stick it on the P2P sites. If people can find the same thing they are offering (all in 1 package) for free, why would they go and pay these shmuks ??? you cut off their source of income that way
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] TheChampJT:
Ha ha.......huh?

He isn't posting the same software, he is posting THE software.
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] Rydah:
Man.....

Cant Wait Til Its Back!
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] stutzedward:
So sorry to hear that... hoping S2 will be back soon.
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] A_C:
I've already back on 21 October...

@admin

Please help to lock this thread, thanks.
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] s81:
I´m happy to see you back! Great programs!! Many thanks for the time you spend making us enjoying even more our devices! :)

I have some little bugs in my omnia with s2p but it´s amazing and I´m sure you´ll have a look at it soon so... thanks again
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] zodrakn:
I'm Sorry to hear this! :( A_C i hope you'll change your mind! :(
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] X-On:
People are very shameless!!

I'm feeling very sorry for you, A_C, and for all the XDA Community!

Such good applications. If something could make you change your mind... :(
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] Dangerously:
:mad:

No one, not even an ISP or Ebay should let any one sell an item with out proof of ownership!:mad: There needs to be a black list that is accessible among all ISP's to combat this problem. You mess up your tenancy at an apartment and get evicted, they will report you to the rental board. Tough luck finding anything else to rent at that point... Same rules should be set for ISP/Hosting sites. I still don't know how things like "AntiVirus2008" (a known malware/spyware app) can get hosting and stay alive. There needs to be a governing body that can help us take this "iphonethemeforppc.com" and many others down. Also, the ISP/Host needs a good punishment for allowing this to take place!
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] miciollo:
this is another example that shows like good people always pay for the bad actions of others.

I'm really sorry for your decision, A_C.

I have all your sw and I like them.... I hope you'll change idea.
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] Ufufu:
From the PayPal Shop policy:

No Illegal Websites or Websites which violate the PayPal Acceptable Use Policy. You may not register a website that promotes or facilitates illegal actions, including but not limited to the sale of goods or services that infringe on the intellectual property of a third party. You also may not register a website that violates the rules outlined in the PayPal Acceptable Use Policy. Any such registration constitutes ground for immediate termination of your participation in PayPal Shops and immediate closure of your PayPal account. All such actions may also violate your Wells Fargo and/or HSBC requirements and/or MasterCard/VISA regulations or policy and as such constitute grounds for termination of your card accounts with these organizations. Such termination may result in you being prohibited against registering a new account with any MasterCard or VISA acquiring Bank.

I just filed a report to PayPal about this, maybe more people should:

https://www.paypal.com/row/ewf/f=pps_prohib
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] duomatrix:
The website uses Paypal for his payment. Couldn't you or someone else contact Paypal specifically to force him to take s2u2 off?
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] chrisd1a1:
this makes me sick.

Devs like you are the backbone of XDA Developers. there must be some way of reporting this for infringement?

what incentive is there to develop freeware if sickos claim it and gain the reward.

have looked through his site and can't find a contact us link or i would reccomend we all spam his inbox. if every xda member sent about 10 a day he would soon get pi**ed off.

ps the wisebar is evaluation only so he covered himself over that

all the best A_C
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] veyka:
This is a sorry day for free development if people will just rip you off and not stop even if asked..
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] WildSioux:
This is sad that they have taken the hard work of one person to benefit from it by making a few bucks. He should be publicly flogged

The suck thing is, at the bottom of his website he has this...

© 2008 iPhoneThemeForPPC - All Rights Reserved. HG​

This guys website is even being promoted through banner ads on the Mogul website...

http://www.sprintmogul.net/
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] nelsongruebr:
I wrote to them too... maybe all of us should do this so Paypal can really take care of it...

come on people, it will only take you like 3-5 minutes...

let's keep A_C alive!!!!!
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] Antboy:
I'm gonna do the PayPal report as well.

It looks like the site bundles the trial version of commercial software, and full freeware.

Check this out from their support section:

Imagine paying $10 bucks, THEN finding out half the software included is trial software?
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] ZaxXx:
:( A_C is working very hard to make good iPhone-like apps for free and then some as*hole comes and starts making money from A_C's work... Some people are real bi*ches!

A_C: I love your S2x apps, so it's bad you won't release new versions, but I understand why you did it, I'm on your side.
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] JukEboXAuDiO:
So why don't you get a list of what sites are doing this and we can boycott them?
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] blibble:
I have to say I AGREE TOTALLY that the guy selling this stuff is WRONG!!!

But I also notice that most of the people ready to form a lynch mob are using custom ROMS. Oh the irony! :rolleyes:
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] bigix1:
Sorry for this A_C.......

It's the same story of free passions (exemple, coocked ROM)........and also commercial software.

This is today world.

Take care.
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] hotrod101:
I just reported complaint as well using link provided
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] Dangerously:
Not just s2u2 but all of it! iFonz is also free and looks to be part of the bundle you get scammed for... Under Requirements: "Registration: Wisbar advance & Wisbar desktop". It is highlighted in red as that company might have threatened legal action. "A: You will get a 7 day trial of Wisbar with this theme. If you continue to use it after 7 days you will need to register it. You can register and download the full version of Wisbar Advanced and Wisbar desktop at: http://www.lakeridgesoftware.com."

When it comes to S2Unlock, they cannot claim it is theirs as I found this:

Q: - Can I change the wallpaper on the QVGA Slider Lock?

(After 5/16/2008)

A: Yes! Navigate to \Program Files\S2U2\GFX. There you will find a file called "wallpaper.jpg".

Just replace that with whatever pic you want. I would recommend keeping the picture the same size though (240 x 320). (QVGA Only)

There is no way they can lay claim on the slide app as theirs due to the same directory path that is used with A_C's S2Unlock.
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] hotrod101:
I found this email address on the payments page - sales@iphonethemeforppc.com
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] jadephyre:
you have to take into account that no Cooker here get's paid for what he or she does.

Most of them point you to a donation link, and if you want, you can donate Money to them... but they nowhere say "Pay me for my Work".

This Guy however is selling A_C's Programs, completely aware that he is selling FREEWARE that SOMEONE ELSE made...
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] Support98:
A_C, I am the website owner at iphonethemefprppc.com. As I mentioned in my email to you, we do not sell any S2 applications. We offer all of the apps as free downloads just like many other sites on the web. When you purchase our iphone theme you only download one zip file that only has our instructions in it and a CAB file with only our theme files.

In the instructions file you have the option to download the S2US application along with a few others. In no way are we selling your software. We do not endorse selling copyright software and we never will.

With that being said, As I mentioned, I will be glad to re-word my site to make sure everyone knows that your software is freeware and that they are not paying for any other files except the actual iPhone Theme. My intentions were not to imply that customers were buying your software on my site.

Also, In my download instructions I mention that your software is a freeware version. Here is my quote:

“This is a freeware version of Slide Unlock "S2U2 v1.01" by A_C. Please copy the CAB file to your device and use file exporer to execute it.”

As a fellow developer I understand where your coming from and I would hate to see you stop developing your applications. I apologize for the misunderstanding and will spend some time this evening and do some re-wording.

If you have more concerns you know how to contact me.

Regards
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] hotrod101:
Why don't you advertise right on your main page which programs are freeware on other websits then. This still seems that there is intention to mislead people into purchasing your "Theme"
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] uniqueboy:
How much have you made from AC's work? without the work of others you have sod all to sell. You are not a fellow developer, you are a rip off merchant and you know it, again, HOW MUCH?
[Windows Mobile Development and Hacking General] zinc:
In ur site under instructions, step 6 is posted as such:

U have some serious re-wording and re-packaging to do man!!!

P.S. u never mention the original source of S2U2 too!! Which is here!!