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"What
does Software Exchange do?"
In
short - we resell used and new computer
software. We also combine early versions
with new and current upgrades to bring
you ValuPaks. For
more on ValuPak, please read further.
For a more detailed description of
what we do, see About
Us.
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"Where
do you get your second-hand software
from?"
We
acquire used software products from
organizations and private individuals
who do not require them anymore. They
may have acquired a newer version
of the same software or dwitched to
a substitute product. Taking the Microsoft®
Office 2000 for instance, our vendor
may have purchased a new PC bundled
with the latest Office XP or switched
to other productivity suite. To help
defray part of this new software investment,
we would buy back the Office 2000,
which is now redundant to the vendor
but still essential to others.
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"Are
your second-hand products reliable?"
Before
we acquire a used software package,
we would first ensure its completeness.
The original installation disk and
all relevant documents such as the
End-User License Agreement, user's
manual and so forth must be intact.
Packages
that meet our criteria will subsequently
go through a series of stringent tests
before we release them for sale. This
is to make sure that what you are
getting is not only value for money,
but is 100% workable and virus-free.
Even
so, installation media may be damaged
after a long period of storage or
during transportation. We assure you,
your acquisition is backed by a 30-day
money-back guarantee.
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"Is
it legal to buy and sell used software?"
Yes,
as long as they are legally transferable.
Therefore, before selling a software
product, you should first examine
the contents in the End User License
Agreement thoroughly. This agreement
contains the terms and conditions
of use set forth by the software company
concerned. Unless the agreement specifically
provides so (see examples here),
you are not allowed to transfer this
right of use to another party. If
you are not sure whether your software
is transferable, feel free to contact
us - we would be pleased to assist
you.
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"Do
you offer new software products?"
Of
course we do! Check out The
Mall for more details and great
offers.
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"How
do I know when I should buy a full version
software, or an upgrade?"
Let
us briefly explain what these 2 types
of software licenses mean by taking
an example of Adobe Photoshop CS.
If
you are getting the Adobe Photoshop
for the first time and have never
done so in the past, you would have
to pay for the full price of Photoshop
CS - for a "full version".
However,
if you have acquired Adobe Photoshop
6.0 a few years ago and would like
to use Photoshop CS now, you need
only obtain an "upgrade version",
at a discounted price.
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"These
ValuPaks you offer in The Mall are rather
inexpensive, are they second-hand copies?"
The
answer is "no". All software
products in The Mall are new and up-to-date.
ValuPak is created as part of our
continual effort to make software
ownership more affordable for you.
It is a bundle that comprises 2 products:
an upgrade version
of the product you require, and its
earlier version or
competitor's product
(known as "qualifying prerequisite").
This package is designed to allow
you to be fully licensed, at the same
time save on your software investment.
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"This
ValuPak concept is interesting and value-for-money. However,
before I install the 'upgrade version'
of the latest software, must I have
the prerequisite installed on my PC?"
No.
In fact, most "upgrades"
are designed to be installable either
with or without the qualifying prerequisites
sitting on your system.
Software
manufacturers have long realized the
importance of having this provision,
in view of the possibility that some
users may run out of storage space
if both the earlier and the latest
versions co-exist within the same
hard disk drive.
Therefore,
you may draw the conclusion that contents
within the upgrade package should
be similar to the full version product
of most software.
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"If
'upgrades' are meant to run like a 'full
version', why can't I just acquire an
upgrade even when I don't own any prerequisite?
They are more inexpensive anyway."
Of
course you may, but do bear in mind
that the
ability to install a particular software
does not grant you the right to use
it. Software manufacturers do take
punitive measures against users who
infringe their licensing agreements.
In some cases, using an "upgrade"
without the necessary prerequisite
is deemed as piracy. So whether you
are using an "upgrade" or
a "full version", do ensure
that you adhere to the licensing agreement.
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"So
you sell both brand new and pre-owned
software. That's confusing. How can
I be sure you are giving me the right
product?"
Brand
new software products are found in
The Mall, while the pre-owned and
aged ones - The Exchange. Our built-in
tracking system helps us identify
from which department you acquire
your products from.
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