Just to make sure I have this straight,  I upgrade to MC 3.5 from MC3.1, at the $299 price and have the choice of using the dongle going foreward or software activation and trashing the dongle. Ok, if I choose to dump the dongle, I can no longer have a second computer with MC installed on it to use as a backup if the first one fails. It is VERY important for me to have a second machine, because I do all my work in the field doing live capture and PB (video assist). If I choose to keep the dongle, then I still have access to that second machine if the first one fails..correct? In other words, you can keep the dongle when you upgrade and still have the ability to have several installs of MC that you can use just by switching the dongle from one machine to the other, or use the software activation which limits you to 1 install period. Correct?

At least until 4.0 is released, yes.

You can still put MC on as many computers as you like with the software activation. You just have to deauthorize one beofer you move to the other. Kind of like a virtual dongle

If you elect to go the software activation code route, you will still be able to move from platform to platform, the software activation must be disabled first on platform A and then re-activated on platform B. So you will still have the same capabilities. But personally, unless you're physically moving your Avid computer around a lot, I would stay with the dongle.

For more information, check out this link.

Ok, that's what I thought, a LOT simpler to just stick with the dongle, and not have to go through Activating and De-activating machines and the headaches that would bring with it. Another quick note...you should change the wording on the upgrade notice because it really seems to imply that you can ONLY install 3.5 on one machine using the software activation.

Once you move away from the dongle it will not be able to run MC 3.5 anymore. It might work with older versions. Not sure.

In order to move license between systems, you will need to unauthorize the current system with the license. This is all done via the internet. The workstation itself does not need to be the one connected to the internet, but you will need a computer connected.

The documentation explains how to do this.

If you ever used Adobe products the system is the same, but Avid seems to be far easier to authorize and unauthorize.

Thanks for the info, I think I've got it now. Looks like I'll stick with the dongle, sometimes hard to get an internet connection on location.

Just remember that by version 4 dongles will ceased to be supported.

 

Dom Q. Silverio:

Just remember that by version 4 dongles will ceased to be supported.

To me this is the most retro and ill advised step I have ever seen Avid take. Did they think to consult Digi and Waves about how bad this sort of activation was.  Take a look at Waves latest posting along the lines of "with our latest releases we have finally addressed one of your biggest concerns and made our authorisation process much simpler." In Avids case what could be simpler than owning a dongle then pluggin it in anywhere you want to work with a program you have brought the rights to use.

Just when the plugin world nearly catches up to the flexability and security of Avid's Dongle with ilock authorisations Avid's new thinking takes an unpleasant and in my opinion unwelcome trip down memory lane.

 

I'm with you Andrew. We need to be able to choose.

 

I'm with you Andrew. We need to be able to choose.

 

AndrewAction:

In Avids case what could be simpler than owning a dongle then pluggin it in anywhere you want to work with a program you have brought the rights to use.

I have to agree completely. Unless you do a lot of physical moving of your Avid platform, I see absolutely no reason that the current dongle arrangement should be replaced. And even if you do move your computer around a lot, for Pete's sake, just disconnect the dongle and treat it with a modest degree of TLC and you'll be just fine. Unplug, move to other platform, plug-in, get to work. Total elapsed time, about 30 seconds. I'll happily stay with my dongle until you pry it out of my cold, dead hands.

 

I'm with you Andrew. We need to be able to choose.

 

What's going on? I didn't post this rep;y three times?!?!?

There is a discussion going on Avid-L2 about the exact topic.

While myself working for a post and rental house facility prefer dongles, I know there is a certain portion of the user base who detest dongles for several reasons.

 

I don't know this to be absolutely true but you have to think that, with software prices dripping the way they are, dongles are a material cost that is not being recouped. Eliminating them cuts a certain amount of overhead for Avid.

Personally, I prefer the cheaper software to the dongles.