Flying Out Of Thailand With Software

[designersing]

Since being in Thailand for the past 3 years I have collected around 20 software discs, all of which are the copies you can buy at tukcom, it square, pantip etc, and I am wondering if these will be looked at on my way out of the airport when I fly back to London? I guess I will pack them so it shouldnt be a problem right? I dont want to get into any trouble so I wonder if anyone can advise that would be great! Anyone been stopped before for having dodgy software on them/packed? If it is going to cause probs I wont bother! yes I know I shouldnt buy dodgy copies but who doesnt right? (strange post I know but I expect MANY people enjoy shopping for software here in Thailand!) Thanks!

[ubonjoe]

You probably won't have a problem here.

It's when you arrive in London I would worry about.

[jimmybkk]

Is it possible to save the content of the discs to a flashdrive? I'm no IT boffin so can't comment but if it's possible to do so that is what I would suggest.

[Beardog]

If possible burn them on regular dvd discs & permanent marker them music or family photos.

I have taken back entire hard drives written with unbreakable encryptions. I just got turned onto the best encrypter. The volume looks like an amount but has a hidden volume on it with an inner passcode after the 1st passcode . Without it will take days for them to uncover the data & it is total legal & free. I think this has been discussed in the internet forum. It is a freeware program. If you go this route the name is true crypt. I can give you more details or you can easily figure out the address. I do not think I am suppose to leave links without mods permission. If you PM me I can give you the link if you can't get it through freeware downloads. It is a pretty cool program. Most discs can be copied & a folder made with the key that gets through any customs. Microsoft is the only real headhunter or porn could be suspect.

Should be no problem but I would copy if you can since you can spot a copy a mile away.

[astral]

The UK has machines or is it dogs to sniff for CD's and DVD's in baggage to combat piracy.............

As Beardog suggest a hard disk is probably better.

[designersing]

Thanks for the tips fellas, like you say I think the way to go is like you say backing up into a drive and encrypting. Do they actually check the suitcases for CD DVDS? I think this would be too time consuming right??? Thanks for the heads up with this! Beardog I will PM you shortly, the software sounds great thanks for your help much appreciated!

[bartender100]

As long as its not porn, and you take them out of the wrappers, just put them in a cheap multi CD case i don't think they will bother, ive been stopped with them in my luggage and they never even asked about what was on them

[Tywais]

I will PM you shortly, the software sounds great thanks for your help much appreciated!

Yep, Truecrypt is what I use also. A topic on it is here with link to the software > True Crypt 6

[kiakaha]

yes I know I shouldnt buy dodgy copies but who doesnt right?

who doesn't ? ......people who buy licenses for their commercial software and people who use open source software.

[designersing]

yes I know I shouldnt buy dodgy copies but who doesnt right?

who doesn't ? ......people who buy licenses for their commercial software and people who use open source software.

thats very true kiakaha, thankyou for your insight! Any more Microsoft staff here on the forum?

Edited January 13, 2009 by designersing

[designersing]

I will PM you shortly, the software sounds great thanks for your help much appreciated!

Yep, Truecrypt is what I use also. A topic on it is here with link to the software > True Crypt 6

Thank you Tywais!

[mojaco]

yes I know I shouldnt buy dodgy copies but who doesnt right?

who doesn't ? ......people who buy licenses for their commercial software and people who use open source software.

thats very true kiakaha, thankyou for your insight! Any more Microsoft staff here on the forum?

Whether you choose to believe it or not there are still some honest people in this world who don't pirate software.

[designersing]

mojaco,

I agree with you, but goodluck trying to tell that to the thais...in fact, invite the president of the USA to Thailand and let him know, I'm sure he would wipe clean the shelfs of thailands dodgy software in one swoop! such is the power of the USA, god bless america!

Edited January 13, 2009 by designersing

[Geekfreaklover]

The UK has machines or is it dogs to sniff for CD's and DVD's in baggage to combat piracy.............

As Beardog suggest a hard disk is probably better.

An x-ray machine would detect CD's in luggage.

Sniffer dogs being able to sniff out CDs??... I'm no expert, but what do CD's smell of?...and how do you train a dog to sniff a CD? ... And how can said dog understand the difference in smell from a fake CD and a real CD.

[scorecard]

I'm very not IT savvy, but just wondered whether the content could be compacted and sent by e-mail. Then open the e-mail and attachments after arrival.

Would appreciate a reply on this suggestion, i'll learn something.

Thanks

[Beardog]

Yea when it comes to encyption True crypt is the shit. Unless they got 3days to many months they get nothing. I was not sure if I was able to show the link. Thanks Tywais

[WeeGB]

As I understand it, under UK law you are allowed to make 1 back up copy of any CD/DVD that you buy.

if you're stopped you could tell them you have back up copies and have left the original discs in Uk/Thailand (your preference).

I was stopped at Manchester a couple of years ago, they opened my disc case, which had 100 DVDs in, all copies of originals. I said I was going to Thailand for 6 months, which I was, the TV here was unwatchable, which it is, so I'd copied all my DVDs to take with me....no problem. They did check the titles of several, probably looking for porn, but there was none, as a) I've no interest in it and if I did I wouldn't be stupid enough to take any through customs.

Personally, I've stopped transporting CDs/DVDs back & forth, have always found some to be damaged and unplayable after transit...these cases aren't what they're cracked up to be. I now use a 500 GB external hard disk, so far no problems. Hope this helps.

[WeeGB]

As I understand it, under UK law you are allowed to make 1 back up copy of any CD/DVD that you buy.

if you're stopped you could tell them you have back up copies and have left the original discs in Uk/Thailand (your preference).

I was stopped at Manchester a couple of years ago, they opened my disc case, which had 100 DVDs in, all copies of originals. I said I was going to Thailand for 6 months, which I was, the TV here was unwatchable, which it is, so I'd copied all my DVDs to take with me....no problem. They did check the titles of several, probably looking for porn, but there was none, as a) I've no interest in it and if I did I wouldn't be stupid enough to take any through customs.

Personally, I've stopped transporting CDs/DVDs back & forth, have always found some to be damaged and unplayable after transit...these cases aren't what they're cracked up to be. I now use a 500 GB external hard disk, so far no problems. Hope this helps.

Edited for a "smiley" that appeared from nowhere ????

[britmaveric]

Nah they could careless - been through LHR with 50odd dvds, and software.

[kiakaha]

yes I know I shouldnt buy dodgy copies but who doesnt right?

who doesn't ? ......people who buy licenses for their commercial software and people who use open source software.

thats very true kiakaha, thankyou for your insight! Any more Microsoft staff here on the forum?

MS staff dont have to pay for their MS software commercial licenses.

I use Ubuntu OS and open source mostly.