True True

Curtsong wrote on 1/11/2003, 5:58 PM
In response to:
In the case of Vegas, an activation code would not overcome the need to register a repaired installation (or installation onto a new computer/replaced-upgraded HD, etc) online. The installation would time-out after 15 days or whatever.

There was a register key file that you could get, depending on how you registered, but I doubt that would work if you had to replace upgrade the computer and re-install.

Don't know for sure.

Caruso
____________________

Would it be too much to request that Sonic Foundry then supply it's customers with those key codes as a statement of good faith to their clients support to their company through so many upgrades? Perhaps too much to ask from the corporate world.

Regarding the markets. They always to fluctuate to to mob psychology. As much as the market panics then there will be instabiliy. Leaving us to panic too. It is very disheartening to spend so much money on a product in this industry only to have it drop the ball on you. I have their whole suite of programs from the beginning. I must have easy spent $5000 or more on their products since SF's inception. Happily to do so since they have provided great software and catalogs. That's why I've stuck with them. Not to mention that their software is affordable comparable to the Digidesign suites.

Scott

Comments

Paul_Holmes wrote on 1/11/2003, 8:41 PM
Sonic Foundry is not some fly-by-night piece of shareware that will suddenly disappear into a crack in the earth. Whoever buys Vegas and Acid and Soundforge from them (if they're sold) will take over the activation process. All this paranoia about not being able to activate the product in the future is nonsense! However, if you want to be paranoid, maybe, just maybe North Korea will build a neutron bomb, explode it high over the US and disable the internet. Yup! Then we're screwed! Barring that, I wouldn't worry!
MyST wrote on 1/11/2003, 8:49 PM
Oh my God!!!!!!!!!!!Oh my God!!!!!!!!!! The North Koreans are building a neutron bomb!!!!!!!!! Oh my God!!!!!!!!!!!
BillyBoy wrote on 1/11/2003, 9:30 PM
Wait a minute... I suffered a lot with SoFo's quirky registration scheme. The simple fact is IT DON'T WORK all the time! Oh it usually will work if you register online. I didn't. Because I do all my video work on a PC offline. So I had to use the clumsy send us a email, we'll send you a unlock code nonsense. Did I mention IT DON'T WORK! I've got enough "registration codes" form Sofo THAT DON'T WORK that rivals the pile of AOL demo CD's I've got as junk mail and that fell out of magazines.

If the worst happens and SoFo unloads Vegas and other software there is no obligation on the part of the new owner to keep the product line going. I can think of at least a couple companies that may be interesting in buying SoFO just so they kill the competition.

I was burned in the past by at least two other companies that had similar unlock code nonsense. One went out of business. I can't even install the software anymore. The other was gobbled up and didn't survive. That application too is sitting in it's CD sleeve uninstalled and useless to me even though I paid a good deal of money for it.

If Sofo sells off the retail software division it needs to release a universal unlock key or the same thing will happen all over again. The problem is when you reinstall the software. Without a unlock code or any company that may but it giving a crap if you have one or not, you the consumer end up holding the bag. I hope that don't happen but for sure it could and that would not make me happy.
Paul_Holmes wrote on 1/11/2003, 11:00 PM
Well, I guess I just have too much faith in the integrity of Sonic Foundry, in spite of their financial problems, to worry too much about it. Billy Boy, you do pose a good point, though. If you want a "safe" computer kept offline, then you probably have a lot more to deal with when it comes to registration. However, my point still is that I trust Sonic Foundry not to sell it to a kill-off competitor, and I'm optimistic whoever buys it will keep supporting users of the former software, simply because that's their first line to new sales.
MyST wrote on 1/12/2003, 8:22 AM
I'm with Paul as far as trusting SoFo enough that it doesn't worry me.
SoFo even has the "register from another computer" for this type of scenario.
BillyBoy wrote on 1/12/2003, 11:34 AM
If it comes down to survival... companies have in the past and will continue in the future to do WHATEVER IT TAKES. That isn't mean as a commentary on SoFo, rather life experience. I've worked for a couple companies that when push came to shove did things the employees and customers NEVER throught they would, because management thought they had to do them to survive.

Also don't confuse the SoFo employees that chat in the forums with the management team. Totally different stripe. Again, not making any observations about SoFo, since I don't know any of the management. Just again reflecting life experinece and in my career always worked with high level management due the nature of my employment. Typically they don't have a clue or partically care how/what employees rank as "important"... again it boils down to what do we have to do to stay in business. Sorry to be so dark, but that's the truth.