How can I make a copy of a program off one computer for a different computer?

Question

I'm studying accountancy at Uni and I need the sageline program for the course. How ould I go about downloading it from the computer at the uni.
I'd like to have it for my home computer to make the course a bit easier.
If you could explain in easy understandable terms I'd appreciate it greatly.
thanx in advance.

I was intending to ask my tutor if they had a registration disc, I forgot to add that when I posted the question.
I wasn't intending to steal it through hacking. thank you all for answering though its appreciated.

Answer 1

You should ask them if they have an educational version of the program that you can take home and install.
Otherwise your talking about stealing the program which you could get in trouble for.

Answer 2

While you might be able to copy the folder under Program Files that holds the majority of the files, if you were to put them on your computer, they would not work. The program usually has to add files to the windows directory, and make entries into the registry to run properly.

To prevent people from stealing software, they make it almost impossible to find and copy all of those extras. Without them, the software will not work.

Talk to school. Usually they will have software like that available at student discounts. With Microsoft software, you can get the $300 Office for about $30 at most colleges. There may be a discount for the Sageline program also.

Oh, and if you are really thinking of copying it from the school's computers, keep in mind that "hacking" into a public system like that (which is what copying it would be considered) is a felony. You could face thousands of dollars in fines and a prison term. You probably don't want to start an accounting career with a felony on your record. (I have seen it happen many times)

Answer 3

As already stated, if you could do this, then it would constitute theft even though you mean no harm.
You are unlikely to be faced with the moral dilemma of whether or not to commit any crime here, because you are very unlikely to be able to carry it out.
When a program is installed, it is usually by way of launching the executable or .exe program. This unpackages the contents and carries out all the functions needed to interrogate your computer and install all the relevant parts in their correct places for the application to run. What exists on the computer at your uni is the unpackaged contents. You need the original software with the .exe file. Without it, you just have a big box load of bits with no instruction manual for your computer to assemble them.
Sorry if that's not what you want to hear but it is almost certainly the case.

Dewcoons has explained this very well.

Answer 4

You can't. You need the installation disc.