How many people actually read the terms and agreements?

IMO unless you’re doing something with the license that may be questionable-e.g. installing on more than one computer, making a backup copy of the installer disk for safety, or reselling the software to someone else, I would think reading the SLA/EULA in most cases is not necessary.

I tend to check the sections on permissible use because I sometimes install software on my laptop and my desktop (Al iMac); some software licenses permit you to install the s/w in this manner without having to obtain a second license (I know this to be the case with most Apple Pro Apps, and Adobe CS 3 in particular).

And yeah-they tend to be really long! Most of it is “CYA” clauses and such…as in so many words “if you install our software on your machine and your machine takes a dumperoo, then we are not liable for the data loss.” That kind of thing.

I have an anonymous friend whom I have install all my software and press all such buttons.

One day, future generations will read about what ridiculous nonsense passed for law in the early computer era.

Rightfully or wrongfully we have a subconscious sense of trust based on the idea that somebody out there is reading the details. We think that in an age of electronic communication, those details-folks will publicize, and thus hold accountable, any site that tries to trick users with bad-faith clauses in their user contracts.

I don’t, and I know I should,

I have actually. Not for products from companies like Adobe or Mac, which doesn’t mean they are any more or less trustworthy but for companies like Netzero I read it. I go off of a vibe. More often than not I don’t and I know I should.

I like to think they are there to protect the company not to take advantage of the customer. any time I think the second might be the case I read it.

I think I speak for almost everyone when I say almost never.