Larry Rubin:

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.

...But that means both systems have to have internet access at the time of de-/activation or else a phone call is required, right?  For those who keep a second install on a laptop for field applications and don't have everwhere-in-the-world wireless internet, it means a little more planning so you can swap activations when the laptop is in the studio and connected to a network, or you make sure you can activate the field system during times and on days when the phones are manned, right?

NOTE:  I had this run-around with PTC MathCad which allows two activations pre license (main machine and a laptop).  But when I swapped the system drive and second data drive in my system, and tried to re-install and reactivate (after deactivating, of course) it would not allow it.  They scheme actually tied the activation not to a system, but a specific boot drive.  Change the boot drive, and it thinks it is on a new system, and won't activate without a phone call to activation services available during very limited East Coast hours.  Naturally the problem cropped up late on a Fri, and I could not get hold of a PTC rep to fix the problem until Monday, which of course caused me to miss a deadline that required working through the weekend.

Until software activation swapping can somehow be made to work without need for a network connection, it is nowhere near as convenient as those PITA dongles.

Correct me if I am wrong, but didn't Sonic DVDit (when coming free with Xpress 4.0) require the same activation process? I distinctly remember being stuck in Portugal - with a new configured system - and I could not activate DVDit as we had no internet access. Sonic took 3 days (over a weekend) to get a key file to me (which was tied to the SYSTEM NAME - so if the system crashes and I reinstall the OS, etc.. but name the system EDIT, instead of the original name SYSTEM1 it refuses to activate) which I had to find an internet cafe to download the file, then drive another 45 minutes back to the tower system to install and check that it worked.

To use internet speak: No Dongle = Epic Fail.

No dongle, no AVID. Then I'll work on my present system until it's no longer compatible, and then wait for the first cracks to surface on the internet...

Anyone tried calling the US from the southern tip of Africa, 9-13 hours behind their time? Let's see if AVID is actually listening!

I was in Lusaka for 3 weeks last spring installing & training on new Avid gear.  The time difference can be a killer with US-based vendors.  No surprise though, Marianna was there for me, even in the final weeks of prepping for NAB!

BLKDOG:

Nice idea but it doesn't work that way.

jjvr:

Anyone tried calling the US from the southern tip of Africa, 9-13 hours behind their time?

If you are calling outside of the Americas - Dial +31 20 654 5530

That's Amsterdam, NL. Not too much of a time difference with Africa, I reckon.

Marianna write in Upgrade and download tips this.

"·   Floating license seats will not be available with this release.  This type of seat should still use a dongle.

·   Customers using Avid DVD who wish to use the software licensing activation method, must continue to use their dongle.   "

Does this means, despite what is said in this tread, that I am not allow to put MediaComposer on several computers and activate and deactivate them?

And, If I want to use Avid DVD (deliverd with MC 3.0 last summer), I must use the dongle version?

One advantage can be this. Withtout dongle, You can use terminal service (remote controll XP/Vista) for connecting to Your video workstation which is important in some special cases, e.g. You need to make som quick fix and is 1 hour from the workstation.

There is another issue.  Dongles are backwards compatible.  So if I've got a problem with, say, 3.1 and need to run an earlier version, any earlier version, I can.  Just a matter of reinstalling the software (or switching my startup partition or swapping disks).  If I elect to use software-based licensing, my dongle is apparently permanently deactivated.  So I'm stuck with 3.5 (can't run an earlier version under any circumstances).  I'm sticking with the dongle for as long as I can - I can rely on it in all circumstances not being dependant on the internet, support lines etc....

Janusz

wmcole:

...But that means both systems have to have internet access at the time of de-/activation or else a phone call is required, right?

Quoting BLKDOG from his response in another related thread:

"You do NOT have to have your computer connected to the internet to Authorize your system. It can be done from any computer (I've done it with my iPhone) or you can  even call into Avid to have it done over the phone."

My concern: With online activation, you will not be able to install your software if AVID goes out of business. And I am completely confident that if online activation becomes mandatory, that AVID WILL go out of business. I just really don't think AVID can survive if they force us to lose our dongles.

You don't stay in business long when you alienate your customers.

The current management of AVID do not even understand this concept. It really proves that the current management of AVID do not have a clue what they're doing.

MC Version 3.999 will be the very last version of any AVID product I ever buy. Unless some new executives with truly "new thinking" takes over. I just don't believe the current management team undersands their customers enough to keep this boat afloat.

Atomike:

And I am completely confident that if online activation becomes mandatory, that AVID WILL go out of business. I just really don't think AVID can survive if they force us to lose our dongles.

This thread is getting ridiculous.  If Avid gets rid of their dongles they'll go out of business?  Well you better hurry up and call Adobe and Apple and Vegas and all the other NLE manufacturers out there and tell them to quickly issue dongles to all their users because if they don't they'll go out of business!

Personally, I like the dongle.  When we upgrade to 3.5 I'm going to continue to use the dongle to let others test out the new system.  Avid also knows my opinion now that I'd like to keep the dongle on all future releases and if necessary I will pay for that privilege to cover the cost of the dongle.  But to say Avid will go out of business if they get rid of it?  Please.

Michael

Butcher:

This thread is getting ridiculous.

Yeah, but it's a) enlightening to see everyone's point of view, and b) entertaining. :)

I've been on here since before the big reorganization in 2005, and on the Avid-L and then the L2 for a long time, too, and every time there's a paid upgrade or a change to the way things are done (bailing on Macs, new breakout box, no more dongles) there's a similar response to what's going on here.  This time it's a little worse because it's a big change - no more dongles - coupled with a paid upgrade.

I think it winds up like a bell curve; on the one end are people who think the new thing is a good idea, in the big middle ground are the people that don't much care one way or the other as long as the new thing works, and on the other end are the people that don't like the new thing, with one or two "I'm leaving Avid forever!" swan songs.  I'm glad I don't work at Avid, and it's not my job to try to keep the entire universe of editors happy. :)

good luck,
Carl

berga:

Marianna write in Upgrade and download tips this.

"·   Floating license seats will not be available with this release.  This type of seat should still use a dongle.

·   Customers using Avid DVD who wish to use the software licensing activation method, must continue to use their dongle.   "

Does this means, despite what is said in this tread, that I am not allow to put MediaComposer on several computers and activate and deactivate them?

And, If I want to use Avid DVD (deliverd with MC 3.0 last summer), I must use the dongle version?

 

Avid DVD (current version) will not work with the software license, only the dongle.

It would be nice to choose between the two, dongle or activation, far into the future. I will avoid activation as much as possible. Everything can be cracked, so dongle vs. activation vs. serail doesn't make much difference as far as licensing. Legit users will be legit.