Sony Can Learn From Adobe Re: Software Activations

Jamil wrote on 11/13/2011, 3:44 PM

The title says it all. Adobe does this very well, and I think Sony should improve in this regard. What Sony's products do is keep track of the number of times a serial number is activated for a specific computer ID. The problem is that it does not even look at uninstalls.

All Adobe software that I am licensed to use allows me to activate and deactivate my licensed software anytime I wish. Sony, can you do the same? The installation count per computer is similar to what Microsoft does. However, Microsoft has 24 hour product activation support to at least make up for this short coming.

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rmack350 wrote on 11/17/2011, 5:11 PM

VanLazarus wrote on 11/17/2011, 6:32 PM

I love Sony's serial number management. Very generous and unencumbered. If I ever do so many uninstalls and installs that my limit is exceeded, I call Sony and they add more. Their system is so much easier than, for example, Cineform. They have a horrible activation/deactivation system that requires maintenance, causing me headaches every time I reinstall it. With Sony software, I've rarely had to deal with any activation issues.

Jamil wrote on 11/18/2011, 11:42 AM

Jamil, if Vegas won't reactivate because it deems itself to be installed on *yet another computer* then I think you ought to be able to use a trial version of Vegas until you get a new activation. If it's a new fresh HDD then the trial won't balk at being installed even if you installed a trial the day before on the previous incarnation of your computer.

As I recall, I did not even get an option for trial when I attempted to enter my serial number. When I entered my serial number followed by receiving the server error message, my choice was to cancel that loaded an unhelpful web page. There was one other option that I forget now, but I could not use the software at all.

I am not sure if I could have gotten to a trial mode instead of attempting to enter my serial number. Perhaps I may have been able to, but I forget now.

I am really hoping work gets done to improve this. Even a dongle is better than this, in my opinion.

Steve Mann wrote on 11/18/2011, 4:05 PM

"As I recall, I did not even get an option for trial when I attempted to enter my serial number. "

Enter nothing and Vegas runs in the trial mode for 30-days.