Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!asuvax!ncar!tank!cps3xx!netnews.upenn.edu!vax1.cc.lehigh.edu!sei.cmu.edu!krvw From: ensys.ensys.com!silvlis.com!msm@sgi.sgi.com (Michael S. Maiten) Newsgroups: comp.virus Subject: Re: Shrink-Wrapped Software Message-ID: <0003.9001181613.AA20449@ge.sei.cmu.edu> Date: 16 Jan 90 19:11:20 GMT Sender: Virus Discussion List Lines: 31 Approved: krvw@sei.cmu.edu WHMurray@DOCKMASTER.ARPA writes: > Vendors can help by using labeled shrink-wrap. To the extent that > users come to expect such labeling, the re-wrap strategy becomes less > effective and efficient for the retailer. Much of the discussion of the "shrink wrap" issue is focused on the inability of the purchaser to determine if the disk has ever been used and rewrapped. In my opinion, a solution to this problem is for the software publishers to use disks that are permanently write-protected. (ie; no notch on 5.25" disks and a hole without slider on 3.5" disks). This will not stop a determined terrorist from infecting disks, but it will stop the casual accidental infection of purchased software. > Users can protect themselves > and discourage this risky practice by refusing to deal with retailers > that offer them the right to return. Stores that offer return policies are exactly the ones with whom I do deal, since it is almost impossible to see if the software will meet my needs by reading the box or trying out the store demonstration copy. What they should do is to be more careful when accepting the returned items (check for missing materials, and check for infection of the disks) before returning the person's money. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Michael S. Maiten Internet: msm%ensys@bridge2.esd.3com.com Energetic Systems or: msm%ensys@silvlis.com Telephone: +1 415 964-9746 UUCP: {sun!silvlis,bridge2}!ensys!msm