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I also did this as a teenager.

Doing this again, now (well into adulthood): recently gifted a "broken" 2013 MacPro[0], and have set it up as my retro CS4 workhorse (decades old software on a decade old machine). Hosts/PiHole ready, blocking "*adobe*" entirely.

Only problem now is I cannot find four's `FCKGW-RHQQ2-`... my oldmanfish surfs onwards, Santiago remaining uncertain. For now I just don't quit and never shut down (fresh install allows limited launches).

[0] RAM slot was jamming, not allowing proper seating

That CS2 torrent was a GOAT.

FCKGW-RHQQ2-…

Those particular neurons of mine haven't seen action in quite some time, thank you.

I worked at Gateway during this era and always saw that in the light of me quitting when XP came out and drove me crazy. FCKGW indeed.

The title of this article recalled that exact memory for me too. Not only Adobe but cracks for a few other expensive softwares needed the same.

...and then Adobe (unintentionally) gave away free downloads of CS2, with valid serial numbers, once they shut down the activation servers. You can still find them on the Internet Archive.