I have just upgraded to MC 6 and thought I would leave my dongle behind and use online activation. But I find I can't activate MC on my Mac Pro and MacBook Pro at the same time - I switch between each frequently depending on whether I am on the move or not. What is the best way round this? - going back to my dongle (which I'll need to update) or going through the laborious process of activating and deactivating on each Mac every time (I assume that this method doesn't require me to re-install each time?) What do others in this situation do?

Thank you in advance : )

Hi It's just a push of a button and its deactivated and a push of a button to re activate easer thn looking around the back of machine for a usb port

Thank you. I will just have to remember to do this every time before leaving home! I guess there is no remote option?

not yet but it is easy  you will get use  to it

my opinion: stay with your dongle - you can use all versions of mc, backwards to ve2.

with software_activation you will be fixed to the current_one.

i use it (them) +20years.

che

Thanks everyone. I think I'll go for the online activation and see how I get on.

All the best.

chepal:

my opinion: stay with your dongle - you can use all versions of mc, backwards to ve2.

with software_activation you will be fixed to the current_one.

i use it (them) +20years.

+1

An alternative solution would be to buy two licenses but I think the dongle route is the easiest. I'm a dongle user and I get frustrated with other applications that don't offer one.

Consider also that if you wind up in an area that doesn't have Internet connectivity, you will not be able to reactivate a de-activated license. One more advantage to the dongle. As long as you have it on you, you have a license wherever you go. Plug and play.

One more fan of the dongle.

+1 for Dongles.

"... I guess there is no remote option? ..."

If you don't mind leaving your system on, you can use TeamViewer to connect to your other system, if you forget to Deactivate.

Here's are some of fun facts about Software Licensing:

1.  You can't use other versions of the software.  No backward installs without getting a different install code from Avid that will invalidate your current license.  

2.  If you deactivate and didn't write down your System ID and Activation Code or didn't register it with Avid you are DOA. You saved that e-mail, right?

3.  You have to launch Media Composer and have a internet connection to de-activate your account.  Or make a phone call.

But there's no Dongle to break off when you're sitting on the aisle in a plane and the drink cart comes by and whacks it off.

Personally, Dongles (and window seats)!

Many of the problems with dongles (e.g. breaking off or having to fumble around the back of the computer) can be solved with a short USB extension cable.

Larry Rubin:

Consider also that if you wind up in an area that doesn't have Internet connectivity, you will not be able to reactivate a de-activated license. One more advantage to the dongle. As long as you have it on you, you have a license wherever you go. Plug and play.

I don't have my Avid workstation connected to the Internet except on rare occasions when I download a driver or software--or to activate/deactivate Avid.   I don't have a dongle--and don't want to pay extra for one--but if I already had one, that's the way I would go.

Certainly a lot of food for thought. Thanks everyone.