AOWYN
Well-Known Member
Do any members have experience of the Chart pack for sale on E-Bay as item 160025325944 offering 6000 charts and a whole pile of other stuff for not a lot of money?
E-Bay Charts
- Thread starter AOWYN
- Start date
SvenglishTommy
Well-Known Member
This is almost definately pirated software. I cant see anywhere where it actually states what the software package is, which suggest to me that they dont want the owner of the software to realise that it is their's he is selling. All the screenshots are also only of the charts, with nothing to really give away which package it is.
It is possible, although unlikely, that the guy made his own software to read chart packages, but still the charts themselves will be pirated. Worst case is that it is just a DVD with the charts, but with no way to unlock the heavily encrypted chart data, but judging by his positive feedback it just a hacked charting package - so it's down to your morals if to go for it or not. I guarantee you it is in some way illegal.
It is possible, although unlikely, that the guy made his own software to read chart packages, but still the charts themselves will be pirated. Worst case is that it is just a DVD with the charts, but with no way to unlock the heavily encrypted chart data, but judging by his positive feedback it just a hacked charting package - so it's down to your morals if to go for it or not. I guarantee you it is in some way illegal.
muckypup
Well-Known Member
... and would you like to stake your life on charts which could be completely wrong?
S.
S.
Danny
Well-Known Member
Don't know about the chart software but the bundled tidal prediction software that this b*****d is offering with the charts is a program called WXTIDE32. This is free software protected by copyright and the eBayer has no business selling it w/o the author's permission. WXTIDE32 is available from here absolutely free!
I also note that the seller says his version of the tidal software uses "hysterics" instead of harmonics /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I would guess that the chart software is also pirated freeware and that the charts themselves are illegal copies.
The author of WXTIDE32 mentions on his site that he is aware of people offering his freeware for sale and points out that this is illegal.
About time eBay got around to doing some proper policing of its auctions and taking effective action against crooks like this.
I also note that the seller says his version of the tidal software uses "hysterics" instead of harmonics /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I would guess that the chart software is also pirated freeware and that the charts themselves are illegal copies.
The author of WXTIDE32 mentions on his site that he is aware of people offering his freeware for sale and points out that this is illegal.
About time eBay got around to doing some proper policing of its auctions and taking effective action against crooks like this.
AlistairC
Well-Known Member
These are bound to be the old CM93 format charts that go round.
They are many many years out of date, and the format isnt supported by many modern software packages. Legalities aside, I wouldnt want to use something like that for anything other than armchair sailing.
They are many many years out of date, and the format isnt supported by many modern software packages. Legalities aside, I wouldnt want to use something like that for anything other than armchair sailing.
bedouin
Well-Known Member
The only sample you can see is a very basic vector of Solent/IoW with lights but no features or depths. If that is all it is then that can be obtained from public data so it may be legal.
However if that is the case then it may be fun for tracking your position, but is useless for navigation
However if that is the case then it may be fun for tracking your position, but is useless for navigation
capt_birdseye
Active Member
Depends if they will work with your Parent Program. i.e Transas ( But which version ? ) I have just asked him that question ... Wait for his answer. Also, how old, and accurate are the charts, if you wanted to use them for actual Navigation, as opposed to Practice Navigation.
Danny
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
If that is all it is then that can be obtained from public data so it may be legal.
[/ QUOTE ]Even if it's "public data" the copyright will probably be owned by somebody and it would be illegal to sell it w/o their permission.
If that is all it is then that can be obtained from public data so it may be legal.
[/ QUOTE ]Even if it's "public data" the copyright will probably be owned by somebody and it would be illegal to sell it w/o their permission.
sarabande
Well-Known Member
I bought a similar lot about a month ago. Apart from a 2 week delivery period (NOT "next day despatch") I can confirm that the Tsunamis package is definitely a) out of date and inaccurate, and b) totally illegal, and c) difficult to install and uses a lot of disc space
The German owners (who speak v good English) are keen to upgrade any illegal package.
Not worth the hassle.
I now have Maptech - who also have a BRILLIANT waterproof paper, so that you can print your favourite sections of a chart at your selected scale, and stuff them in a handy A4 or A3 presentation file.. Very recommended.
The German owners (who speak v good English) are keen to upgrade any illegal package.
Not worth the hassle.
I now have Maptech - who also have a BRILLIANT waterproof paper, so that you can print your favourite sections of a chart at your selected scale, and stuff them in a handy A4 or A3 presentation file.. Very recommended.
Blue Fox
Well-Known Member
I 'm not sure about these charts, but I got the Cmap93 package (from a round the world sailor), and that's really quite good. My version is 2003 (Ichecked that) and the charts are based on official local charts, and full of detail. And the software - although basic - works better than some of the more advanced I also use.
tazzle
Well-Known Member
Sounds like a 'hacked' copy of Tsunamis 99. Illegal and potentially dangerous as no updates available.
However, it was suggested to me on a previous thread about this that even an illegal copy on a lappy with a GPS 'mouse' as a backup to a legal and up to date chartplotter AND paper charts could be justified as a safety failsafe. Not totally convinced.
However, it was suggested to me on a previous thread about this that even an illegal copy on a lappy with a GPS 'mouse' as a backup to a legal and up to date chartplotter AND paper charts could be justified as a safety failsafe. Not totally convinced.
ean_p
Well-Known Member
I,ve had sight of this package (Cmap93, not the one on e-bay)and found it excellent....the charts were mainly 2002 and very very good.
Sea Devil
Well-Known Member
There is absolutely nothing wrong with Cmap charts or the system.
(I know nothing of what is happening on Ebay but suspect the guy is taking copyright risks and is breaking a raft of laws!)
The CM93 charts that run with cmap are all good quality and I have used them all over the world. In parts of Indonesia I was printing them off onto A4 in order to have some backup if the computer/gps went down.
Frankly there is a load of rubbish talked about up to date charts - for goodness sake we are sailing small boats not supertankers. I do not have a single chart that is in date or nearly so and it concerns me not a jot. In those waters where a new underwater danger has sunk/arisen there will be buoys around it... The sea bed for the most part does not alter sand banks excepted and the most up to date chart can be wrong 24 hours after a gale!
Rocks don't move, coastlines don't alter much.. and with GPS fed into your computer running Cmap and CM93 charts you know exactly where you are.
Whilst as a person who receives much of his income from copyright productions and books I do not condone breach of copyright I do think the prices charged for charts are totally out of order and exploitative and good luck to anybody using Cmap/cn93
Michael
(I know nothing of what is happening on Ebay but suspect the guy is taking copyright risks and is breaking a raft of laws!)
The CM93 charts that run with cmap are all good quality and I have used them all over the world. In parts of Indonesia I was printing them off onto A4 in order to have some backup if the computer/gps went down.
Frankly there is a load of rubbish talked about up to date charts - for goodness sake we are sailing small boats not supertankers. I do not have a single chart that is in date or nearly so and it concerns me not a jot. In those waters where a new underwater danger has sunk/arisen there will be buoys around it... The sea bed for the most part does not alter sand banks excepted and the most up to date chart can be wrong 24 hours after a gale!
Rocks don't move, coastlines don't alter much.. and with GPS fed into your computer running Cmap and CM93 charts you know exactly where you are.
Whilst as a person who receives much of his income from copyright productions and books I do not condone breach of copyright I do think the prices charged for charts are totally out of order and exploitative and good luck to anybody using Cmap/cn93
Michael
G
Guest
Guest
Interesting when you place the item # in the report form to E-Bay ... it comes back as item not found ... but put it into ebay search - up it comes !!
The package as far as can be determined - is an illegal Vector package ... which is dolled up by masking it with all the RYA text on the page. As far as can be determined from the screenshots he gives .... he has captured screenshots and then cropped out the surrounding menu / toolbars and data box's .... to stop identification if the software ...
WXTIDE32 is certainly the tidal program he's pushing out - illegal sale as it is freeware with authors copyright.
This is not first occasion that charting copyrighty has been infringed on ebay .... many instances of s/hand Notebook PC's offered with full worldwide chart coverage - normally out of date CM93 (CMapECSv4).
To thos who posted about CM93 being out of date and dangerous .... a bit OTT don't you think ?? Yes it's out of date ... but there are many out there with legal copies - a forumite with excellent reputation has a full CM93 system on one of his boats .. and it still performs well and hasn't led to his / their stranding or incident. Use of any package - be it paper or electronic always will be out of date and subject to care in use .....
The major point here is copyright and purchase of something that YOU consider to have been legal - not much help when FAST tap you on the shoulder !!!
The package as far as can be determined - is an illegal Vector package ... which is dolled up by masking it with all the RYA text on the page. As far as can be determined from the screenshots he gives .... he has captured screenshots and then cropped out the surrounding menu / toolbars and data box's .... to stop identification if the software ...
WXTIDE32 is certainly the tidal program he's pushing out - illegal sale as it is freeware with authors copyright.
This is not first occasion that charting copyrighty has been infringed on ebay .... many instances of s/hand Notebook PC's offered with full worldwide chart coverage - normally out of date CM93 (CMapECSv4).
To thos who posted about CM93 being out of date and dangerous .... a bit OTT don't you think ?? Yes it's out of date ... but there are many out there with legal copies - a forumite with excellent reputation has a full CM93 system on one of his boats .. and it still performs well and hasn't led to his / their stranding or incident. Use of any package - be it paper or electronic always will be out of date and subject to care in use .....
The major point here is copyright and purchase of something that YOU consider to have been legal - not much help when FAST tap you on the shoulder !!!
AOWYN
Well-Known Member
I'm glad I raised the question. The package isn't for me, I have enough problems with a rather expensive proprietary package and I don't like illegal software, particularly as I hope to make my fortune with a software package one day!
I am also pleased to have helped expose improper sale of GNU licensed software.
I am also pleased to have helped expose improper sale of GNU licensed software.
muckypup
Well-Known Member
I'm not saying that the CM93 charts are bad, it's just that I would not trust them with my life when partnered with non-tried and tested (and possibly ripped off) software. I agree that the big rock has not moved, but if the freeware sofware shows your position half a mile from where you should be then it could be dangerous.
From the wxtides website -
"Do not rely on the output of this program for decisions that can result in harm to any person or property. There is no way to provide certified data on a zero budget so if you need guaranteed results then WXTide32 is not for you."
S.
From the wxtides website -
"Do not rely on the output of this program for decisions that can result in harm to any person or property. There is no way to provide certified data on a zero budget so if you need guaranteed results then WXTide32 is not for you."
S.
