Is it true that someone recently got caught shoplifting computer software using a Macintosh iPod

Asks spidermonkey

A. Yes, this story was first reported in Wired magazine on 28th February and then picked up by many newswires and national newspapers thereafter - and it made news because it is one of a few reported cases of "virtual shoplifting".

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Q. How did the theft actually take place

A. According to reports, a young man walked into a computer shop (CompUSA in Dallas, Texas) carrying an Apple iPod handheld (MP3 player) computer and plugged it into in a display Mac using a FireWire cable and simply dragged and dropped software icons onto his iPod (when plugged into a Mac, the iPod icon appears on the Mac desktop so it is easy to move software around).

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Q. How much software was copied over illegally

A. Reported figures claim that the thief got away with �417 worth of software - basically a copy of Microsoft Office for Mac OS X.

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Q. Was Apple aware that it was possible to do this with the iPod

A. That is something we'll never know, as it is unlikely that Apple would admit to knowing that this could happen (and to be fair it's not Apple's fault if such a crime does take place) however, every iPod does carry a "Don't Steal Music" sticker in reference to the ability of the iPod to download music files from the Internet.

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Q. How long would it have taken to download a copy of Microsoft Office for Mac OS X The thief must have been in the shop for quite some time.

A. The iPod's FireWire interface allows large files to be copied in seconds - which means that Microsoft Office for Mac OS X (approx 220Mb) would have been able to be copied in just over a minute. As applications are usually stored in one folder on a Mac (as opposed to scattering registry entries as happens in Windows for the PC) it is relatively easy to copy entire applications.

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However, before anyone rushes out to steal software, it is worth remembering that this is theft (and therefore a serious crime) and most computer shops will have wised up to this crime as a result of the press coverage it has received - and will now have included a locked dummy file in the application's package - which as Wired points out will prevent and protect an entire file from being copied without a password.

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Q. What exactly is an iPod

A. The iPod is a tiny portable MP3 player, that was launched by Apple in October 2001, that packs a massive 1000 CD quality songs (approx. 100 CDs) onto its 5GB hard drive - inside a very small box. It comes complete with iTunes 2 software.

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It features up to 20 minutes of shock protection for non-stop playback - so you don't have to worry about jerking the machine about when you're out jogging; it plays up to 10 hours of continuous music (powered by a rechargeable lithium battery) and recharges automatically when connected to a Mac; it comes fully equipped with a high-output 60-mW amplifier that delivers 20 to 20,000 Hz frequency response - for CD-quality sound; its backlit LED displays songs in English, French, German or Japanese; and it comes complete with Auto-Sync (which allows you to copy your entire music collection onto your iPod).

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Q. How big is the iPod

A. It measures 102x61.8x19.9mm (4.02x2.430.78 inches) and only weighs 185g (6.5 ounces).

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By Karen Anderson