Well this is starting to get complex, which should equal a sizable post. And although much of this will fall outside the subject of this group, then well all I can say is that you started it. :-]
First I should remind you that illeg*l ITV Digital use is still a new subject compared to the much older and perfectly legal and often morally correct use for such items. This subject I presume equals your use of the "hobby" word.
As I know this Unauthorised Decoders 2000 law very well, then you may find my knowledge on this subject helpful.
First it is not wise for a forum that includes the legal "hobby" aspect to also support an ITV Digital group, when such a group could be considered support of an illeg*l pir*cy subject.
Since you said yourself that this is a sponsered forum, then that makes it a commercial action. That means under these changes to copyright law that such support could be illeg*l.
However that is far from the end of the story, when to commit an act of copyright infringement, or more likely copyright fraud, then that support must be of something that belongs to someone else.
And that something is piracy firmware (using SECA's algorithms) and keys (owned by the service provider and SECA). Therefore if you feel the need to have an ITV Digital group, then keys and firmware are a big no-no.
So I hope you find that legal information helpful when it comes to thin ice.
Now if you are talking about mass production of pir*te cards, then while such a model can be helpful, there are more useful devices out there. And the one that comes to mind is the model that can program like 10 or 12 cards at once, which I won't name here for obvious reasons.
Since I know a few things about (legal) pir*te card supply, having done that for 3 years before the law change, then I would have preferred to use a card programmer.
The reason for that what with key changes is that it is easier to keep firmware on computer, where it is much quicker to add the latest key. However as ITV Digital is slow with the old key changes, then as it is just as easy to make cards in advance, then there is no special reason to make cards on site.
And so while the Automate/Goldmate may be a flexible model, there is not much special about them when it comes to pir*te card creation.
Also if you happen to have seen the instructions that come with the Goldmate PC+, then I have yet to see a stronger statement against using this item for a pir*cy purpose.
Speaking about the enemy, then I know from first hand experience that they are much more interested in ELVIS then with these copiers, which could be something to do with the fact that while I have sold hundreds of copiers I have sold thousands of the ELVIS model.
As if you think about it then organisations like STOP, FACT, and FAST think about numbers. And that is why targeting the supplier with the lowest Gold price around is the top target.
Now if you think my item descriptions mentioned here are detailed then you have not seen my site yet. :-]
And so I cannot see that pointing out a few main features to give someone an idea of what it does is a problem. Since I directly know how one item is better than another, then I would have thought that would be useful information.
As to price then that was another thread, when I bet you cannot spot my Goldmate PC+ price here.
The other thread I mentioned prices to show against incorrect information, which I believed helpful when the first post in that thread mentioned Cardman and ELVIS.
Two names that belong to me and so here I am, when I then noticed questionable following information.
As to my URLs, then if you wish I will remove them. However I do not see that mentioning your web address as advertising, when my name could be considered the same way.
The reason I decided to add them was because of the first poster who contacted me from this board, when it was obvious that he had not seen my site, which is always a good idea if you are wanting to buy something.
Now when you mention "unbiased information" then you touch on one of my public attributes, which happen to be "honest and fair". And that means that I would not knowingly recommend someone to buy one of my items if I know they was interested in a better one.
In fact I have very often recommended using other suppliers. When you can certainly consider me baised towards the best equipment and prices around.
Well consider it this way when if I had not been vocal about ELVIS, then the most recommended programmer about could still be the Millenium. As only when I clearly pointed out why ELVIS kicked Millenium arse did people end up with a much better card programmer.
And so I believe that benefitted the whole market, when I made this model as popular as it is (No1). Also as I brought this model to this country and helped to establish this reputation with the users, then about two dozens other UK suppliers alone (and many more users) now benefit from this.
When don't forget that the then little known multiprogrammer was around for over two years before I supported it. These days the last I heard was that the manufacturer was awaiting delivery of 30000 units.
And so due to my support of this model I believe that it is clear to see that a lot of users are now a lot better off than what they were.
These days the Goldmate PC+ is my new ELVIS, when while the Goldmate/Automate were useful and interesting models, then this new model is awesome.
As a supplier then you really have to understand my history, but I won't go into that here.
Anyway just lets say that I have an interest in seeing that people end up with the best items (at the best price) around. Since a good service is an idea as well, then that is why I directly supply many of the items that I recommend.
Well anyway I can see your motivations, which means that I will now go and look and see who your sponsers are. Is that unbiased I don't know, but from my ELVIS example then if they got good items then they should be here telling everyone this fact.
On their behalf I will see what good items they do have, which will at least make my posts less biased in your eyes.
Cardman.
