Can I invite some reflections upon the following?

I run MC on two platforms - a desktop, and a laptop for location edits. This involves lots of dongle-swapping.

I'd love to liberate the laptop from dongle use. But clearly the raison d'etre of a dongle is to prevent multiple SIMULTANEOUS use of the same software.

I recently invested in MC v.4. This version allows dongle- free use, through online registration. But it's restricted to one pc - if you try and register a second pc, I presume Avid's servers recognise the software's serial number and block it.

So the question is this: what's to stop one upgrading pc #1 to v. 4, and going dongle-free - then leaving pc #2 on v. 3 with the dongle? Two systems, running simultaneously - one software package?

Btw I'd dearly love to buy two separate copies of MC, just can't afford it.

J

joepineapples:

it's restricted to one pc

Not really. You can install the software on both your desktop and your laptop (and anywhere), use the activation code on one of them, or then deactivate that one and activate one of the others. You can activate/deactivate like you can swap dongles.

joepineapples:

what's to stop one upgrading pc #1 to v. 4, and going dongle-free - then leaving pc #2 on v. 3 with the dongle?

Once you have activated your software license, your dongle no longer runs your Avid editing application.

Also see http://avid.custkb.com/avid/app/selfservice/search.jsp?DocId=277611

Thanks for that link - lots to take in.

Have not tried it, but does anyone know how fast you can activate/deactivate a system? Sounds nightmarish if, for instance, you have to rush out with the laptop.

Also, if activating online 'kills' the dongle, do you have to insert it for it to get 'zapped'? If not I still don't see why it would suddenly stop working on the non-upgraded pc, especially if you kept it 'off-grid'.

Regards

J

J---

Takes a few seconds to deactivate and activate.  

The dongle is attached during the launch and activate process so when you select SW licnesing, it will disable the dongle information on the dongle itself.  the dongle no longer works on any shystem after that.

Marianna

Do note that for quick changes you need access to the internet! If yoy do not have that it can work but is a bit more tedious to change.

We have done a few dongle to software activations now and if you read the instructions it is not difficult. The dongle will get flashed... can not go back to the ols situation.

Menno

Thanks everyone for their input. We've elected to stick with dongles for now - for precisely that last reason. Cannot contemplate a scenario where have to rush out with the laptop and unable to access internet etc, just too many variables..

Better the devil you know...

We just had an issue where our second MC machine crashed and Avid was unable to open.  I had converted that machine to software activation when we upgraded to 3.5.  So now we were unable to deactivate that machine to reactivate the replacement. 

Marianna took great care of me and we got the dongle working again that evening, and I realized that if Avid were a normal company and didn't have Marianna it could have been a much more painful process.  So now we are sticking with the dongles.  Haven't had any issue with a dongle since we started Avid early in the decade, and for the workstations it is buried behind the computer.  I am done with software activation and will stick with the dongle as long as Avid will support it (hopefully indefinitely).

vpcmike:

 if Avid were a normal company and didn't have Marianna it could have been a much more painful process

without Marianna?... without Marianna!!!?...

definately a much more painful process!

how can they not give this person a RAISE??? She IS Avid pain reduction.

Of course, Menno is Avid Charm!!!

Just contemplate Avid life without those two...

lol ;)

although my presence has been less then wanted last months ...

Mike i concur, crashing systems is a problem.. same as the fact maintenance  is mostly done during non office hours aka in the evening or sometimes nights. Running into problems on a system that has no access to the internet aka unable to deactivate etc can be problematic as there is no support available at that time.

Remains a difficult choice whether to go or not to go dongleless..

Menno