Open Discussion On Product Activation

vitamin_D wrote on 10/6/2003, 11:03 AM

kimhill, a regular poster over at dv.com, has noted that Adobe has started to implement product activation for their software. As kim says:

I know that piracy is a big problem, but this is a bummer.

It is indeed a bummer, and for many users of Vegas 3.0 it was a reason to jump ship to another platform when it was implemented by SoFo. Consequently, I can't say it did my ulcers good for a time to know that SoFo's future was in doubt, and that with their eventual dissolution, so too was the future of my copy of Vegas 4.

You can construct a few different scenarios wherein software you've payed for becomes inert, totally useless, as there are several (potentially fragile) links in the chain required to get key codes that match up to your system's profile -- yet everyone informed me that these worries hold little water as I don't actually own any software I've purchased :/

How do you feel about Sony's implementation of key-code activation, and if it rubs you the wrong way, what can be done?

Here is the link to the original thread (you need to have a dv.com account to view):

http://dv.com/forums/showReplies.jhtml?sid=1&fid=10&tid=117300039

Here's a link to an interesting story about Intuit dropping product activation after customer backlash:

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,3973,1088341,00.asp

Here's fairly good writings on product activation:

http://www.eweek.com/print_article/0,3668,a=42420,00.asp

http://www.j-walk.com/ss/excel/activation.htm

- jim

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Comments

TheHappyFriar wrote on 10/7/2003, 7:52 AM

I agree. I Look at computer games: They are probely THE most pirated software out there (besides windows :) ). They don't bother the user much with activation codes, etc. Why? Because then noone would buy the game! And I have a feeling that games make more $$$ then most of the "profesional" software we use, plus they give oyu more feedom with what you can do with the software (make levels, addons, trade with other users, etc.).

So, what I can deduce is that the more $$ you spend on computer software, the LESS rights you have to do what you want with that software. :) what a wacky world!

wcoxe1 wrote on 10/7/2003, 9:06 PM

How many of you have noticed that Mickysoft periodically announces that they are ceasing to support certain "older" versions of widders and other products? It happens, every once in a while.

Usually they give a year or so for everyone affected to save their nickels and buy an upgrade. Sometimes they have extended the cut-off when business screams loud enough, but not often, and it is only an extention, not a reprieve, when they do make concessions.

Up till now, NONE of the products in the consumer area that have seen their support stopped has had "activation" as part of the package. But that is about to change. Almost all Mickysoft software currently has required activation, and each new one is more and more restirictive. Soon, there will come a time when one of these "activation" proected products will meet its deadline by MS decree.

From that point on, if you need to "reactivate" your product, . . . Well, good luck. It is NOT in MS's interest to give you a patch to the old software which will disable their upgrade stategy. They WANT the products to expire. That is their golden parachute. Constant, albiet slow, forced upgrades. Get used to it. It is already in every XP product.

Enjoy!

rextilleon wrote on 10/7/2003, 9:55 PM

I disagree---I am now referencing the middle of the road person--not a thief at heart but one with a little bit of larceny lurking beneath. I can't tell you how many people I have run across--everyday people who pay for some software but dont pay for apps like Photoshop because one registration allows (doesn't permit) you to put it on as many machines as you want. I think that activiation codes deter this kind of user and I would say that this is why they exist.

I wonder if there are any legitimate studies out there on this subject.

TheHappyFriar wrote on 10/7/2003, 11:19 PM

That's why I use 98 and 2k.

You know, if sony invested the extra $$$ into the Vegas team and had a version for Linux and Unix flavors (then it could be almost ANY platform! :) ), we would never have to worry about some of this product activation stuff again. Hey, i'd invest in an older SGI (the O2's) if I could get software I use for it!

Chienworks wrote on 10/8/2003, 7:42 AM

I would think it is a good assumption that most major corporations wouldn't knowingly indulge in a practice that is show to drive away more income than it attracts. Yes, some companies may dabble in experiments now and then that end up being disasters, but these are usually ended quickly. Since product activation has been going on for years, i think it's safe to say that the companies using it have seen an overall positive response (recall that a positive response is based more on cash flow than on customer comments/complaints).

Now, true, we may wonder at some of SonicFoundry's marketing decisions in the recent past and tend to doubt that they really understand what helps sales and what hurts them. However, consider Microsoft. Obviously Microsoft has a good handle on what makes money and what prevents money from being made. Whatever else we may say about that company, they do sell and sell lots of stuff. They've been using product activation for a while and it obviously works for them. If it really turned away that many customers then they would drop it. They haven't.

vitamin_D wrote on 10/8/2003, 12:38 PM

"... consider Microsoft ... If it really turned away that many customers then they would drop it. They haven't."

I think that's a poor example -- MS has its user base hamstrung by being a monopolistic entity. You (and thousands like you) can't just up and drop Windows one day because you have a beef with MS's registration process -- your whole livelihood may well depend on Windows interoperability (last I checked Vegas/Sound Forge/Acid are Windows only apps).

I'm not calling into question the business practices of MS -- I'm saying that regardless of their intentions (which have been historically proven to be "questionable"), they do have the ability to be rather flagrant with end-user's desires. Linux is an improving platform, but it doesn't nearly have the user base and development backing that the Windows world does.

I also don't see how you can look aside from other factors cursory to "Well, if it makes the company more money, it must be good. Therefore, any company who adopts the practice is doing so as the most sensible recourse." I find that there are other criterions with which to judge business dealings than what is simply most economically efficient (and I know this puts me at odds with Capitalism at certain points -- but so be it.)

I'm all for the SoFo legacy being more economically rewarding for its company, but at what price to consumers? It's clear that the registration process is not only inconvenient, but simply in violation of certain principles: If I agree to pay money to have the right to use a piece of software, I should be able to use that software no matter the financial condition of the company; no matter how I choose to monkey with my hardware setup (within reason); no matter the status of their online servers; and no matter whether or not they can provide 24/7 phone support.

With the favor tipping to the side of corporations like it is, what's next? Will a company have the freedom to revoke the validity of my license in the future if I refuse to purchase upgrades that I find unnecessary? (case in point: Sound Forge 7); will they refute my license if my use of their product is at odds with their company image (because I'm gay, black, atheist, insert-your-persuasion here)? Whether or not there is the probability of these injustices, that the law allows for their possibility is a bit alarming ...

- jim

TheHappyFriar wrote on 10/8/2003, 2:54 PM

The upgrade/boxed version does NOT require registeration (if you don't want mpeg1/2/mp3 support). Only a downloaded copy with a valid serial # requires registeration, expires in 30 days. I'm planning on buying TMPGenc when my tax return comes in (it's a great utility!), so technicaly, it wuldn't matter then if I can't register Vegas 4 anymore. But, it would be annoying to always have to frameserver out...

pete_h wrote on 10/8/2003, 5:24 PM

Just another thought here.....

Ok, you've bought the product, it comes with a serial number to register it.

2) You install the product, but don't have that machine hooked to the internet

3) You click register via phone

4) The program displays your serial number AND the "Unique Machine Number"

5) Somewhere in SOFO's FAQ's it says "Serial Number + Machine Number = Activation Code"

6) Each hard drive will have its own unique "Machine Number"

Is this not the information you need to reinstall your program and get past the 30 day issue?

rextilleon wrote on 10/8/2003, 6:03 PM

When capitalism works its all about the bottom line. If activaiton codes disturbed the bottom line then they wouldn't exist. By the way, who says that something you buy in 2003 should work in 2008 or even be supported in 2008. Thats the nature of the free market economy. As imperfect as it might be, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.