Just a small vent

[trakers]

I sure am glad I paid a butt-load for this new design software. I mean it allows me to:<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
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- Never have the software "protection" dongle when I need it.
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- Allows me to drive 28 miles each way to get it because the friggin S/W (The S/W I PAID for) won't run without it.
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- Gives me the opportunity to redesign my work because the screen saver kicked in and made the computer lose track of the dongle, thus shutting down the software.
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- Keeps me on my toes having to worry about a damn piece of plastic when I have a lot of other more important things to clutter my mind.<o></o>
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These S/W places treat legitimate users like crooks then wonder why people pirate their software. I can tell you this right now, if there were a way to bypass this damn dongle I would do it in a second. I paid my money, I should be able to use the software I paid for without this inconvenience.<o></o>
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In the event you didn’t get it, I had to drive close to 60 miles today to get the damn dongle so that I could cut a rush job. Feel like billing SAI for my gas, time and mileage.<o></o>
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Grrr.....<o></o>
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I now return you to your previously airing program....

 

[ChicagoGraphics]

Whats 60 miles? did you buy a china cutter & software

 

[imaSIGNr]

I don't think it's SW's fault. All legit sign design programs require a dongle no matter where you buy it from.

 

[bob]

I don't think it's SW's fault. All legit sign design programs require a dongle no matter where you buy it from.

Some else's behavior is never justification for your own. If 50,000,000 people do a stupid thing, it's still a stupid thing.

The hasp key is pretty much unique to the design/drafting niche. Other software, big hairy expensive software that makes this relatively primitive stuff pale in both complexity and price has no need of such damnfoolishness. These, more enlightened businesses, manage piracy as being inevitable and dealing with it in other more civilized ways, not with plastic shackles.

Personally, I find the very concept of a hasp key offensive. As if I'm some sort of congenital miscreant and must be forced into compliance by this nonsense. I've toyed with the notion of writing a simple executable that would get in front of the pertinent USB code and create the illusion that the hasp key is installed. Not to pirate anything, I have no need of that, but merely to give the finger to a concept I find insulting.

 

[signage]

Trakers if when the computer goes into sleep mode and you keep loosing your dongle you need to set your USB port to always on!

 

[trakers]

I feel better this morning, nice to vent though.

S/W = Software not SignWarehouse. Obviously they have no control of the key.

I'm sure there is a crack/patch somewhere, but I don't have the energy to look for it.

Funny thing is even as a paid user if I were to use a crack I would still be in violation of the DMCA. Lovely.

 

[mark in tx]

Everybody needs to vent now and again.

Think you hate having 1 dongle?

Try 3 desktops and 2 laptops with the laptop dongles getting mixed up at least once a week by salespeople on the road.

 

[jiarby]

A different perspective:

Before buying my business I was a corporate IT weenie and bought lots of software that is alot more expensive than anything I have run into in the sign business (including my Onyx Production House), so I have some experience with managing software licensing.

The software manufacturers have to protect their product from illegal piracy in order to stay in business. No one really likes security dongles, but there isn't a much better way to protect your intellectual property from illegal & unlicensed use.

It is not their fault that YOU LEFT your dongle at your other location. If you need two licenses then BUY THEM. You are upset because you are too cheap to buy the licensing that you need for multiple installations and also too ADD (think Ritalin) to remember to take whatever equipment you need on a job.

These S/W places treat legitimate users like crooks then wonder why people pirate their software. I can tell you this right now, if there were a way to bypass this damn dongle I would do it in a second. I paid my money, I should be able to use the software I paid for without this inconvenience.

Uh... you PAID for ONE installation not two. In fact, it is a great CONVENIENCE that you can install your software on several computers and only move the dongle around when you need to use it. Try that with Microsoft Office!

Users like YOU are the VERY REASON that software manufacturers have to resort to secure hardware keys to protect their property. (Note that it is THEIR PROPERTY, not yours... you are just licensed to use it according to the terms of the licensing agreement. ) You didn't have to buy their product, or agree to the licensing conditions...but you DID. Now you have to live up to your end! If you choose to crack the dongle and steal it then you are just a simple scumbag thief. Your integrity should be worth at least the cost of the software to you. Do you consider yourself a man of integrity? If so then pony up... (or just learn to be more organized)

If you were a mechanic and needed a socket set to do your job but accidently forgot it at home (or shop) it would not be OK to steal one from Home Depot so that you can have on "on the road" also. If you need two copies of your software because you are a moron and can't remember the dongle then just pay it and keep bumbling through your life.

Yes... what happened to you is frustrating.
Yes... security dongles are a hassle.
NO... not OK to steal because you can't remember to bring your stuff to work.
NO... it is not the software companies fault.

 

[andy]

Simply buy coreldraw and be done with stupid USB keys forever.

One big reason why I never have and never will pony up for "specialist" signmaking software is A) the price B) the awkwardness of hasp keys et al and C) the fact that Coreldraw has 90% of the features for 40% of the price.

 

[threeputt]

Multiple work stations require multiple licensed copies of the software.

Gerber Omega charged us $4100 for the master license and then we paid an addtional $2700 for a second station. We're running a third station at the customer counter on Demo Mode. (perfectly legal)

So...all of us are dealing with dongles and other sundry security devices. Part of life, part of the sign industry, cost of doing business. Get used to it.

But it felt good to rant, though, didn't it?

 

[dswanson]

A different perspective:

Before buying my business I was a corporate IT weenie and bought lots of software that is alot more expensive than anything I have run into in the sign business (including my Onyx Production House), so I have some experience with managing software licensing.

The software manufacturers have to protect their product from illegal piracy in order to stay in business. No one really likes security dongles, but there isn't a much better way to protect your intellectual property from illegal & unlicensed use.

It is not their fault that YOU LEFT your dongle at your other location. If you need two licenses then BUY THEM. You are upset because you are too cheap to buy the licensing that you need for multiple installations and also too ADD (think Ritalin) to remember to take whatever equipment you need on a job.



Uh... you PAID for ONE installation not two. In fact, it is a great CONVENIENCE that you can install your software on several computers and only move the dongle around when you need to use it. Try that with Microsoft Office!

Users like YOU are the VERY REASON that software manufacturers have to resort to secure hardware keys to protect their property. (Note that it is THEIR PROPERTY, not yours... you are just licensed to use it according to the terms of the licensing agreement. ) You didn't have to buy their product, or agree to the licensing conditions...but you DID. Now you have to live up to your end! If you choose to crack the dongle and steal it then you are just a simple scumbag thief. Your integrity should be worth at least the cost of the software to you. Do you consider yourself a man of integrity? If so then pony up... (or just learn to be more organized)

If you were a mechanic and needed a socket set to do your job but accidently forgot it at home (or shop) it would not be OK to steal one from Home Depot so that you can have on "on the road" also. If you need two copies of your software because you are a moron and can't remember the dongle then just pay it and keep bumbling through your life.

Yes... what happened to you is frustrating.
Yes... security dongles are a hassle.
NO... not OK to steal because you can't remember to bring your stuff to work.
NO... it is not the software companies fault.

AGREED, boo hoo your situation is no one's fault but your own you have no right to be mad/ frustrated with the software, hasp/dongle/key. plan a little better or pony up some money for an extra dongle. It amazes me the Bullshit people tell themselves to convince themselves that it is ok to steal. disfunctional thinking to say the least

 

[threeputt]

Just curious, Trakers, which software is it?

 

[iSign]

Jiarby said everything I wanted to say, and better.. which is good, because I have to go to work, but really wanted someone to say it.

One big reason why I never have and never will pony up for "specialist" signmaking software is A) the price B) the awkwardness of hasp keys et al and C) the fact that Coreldraw has 90% of the features for 40% of the price.

and the other 10% of features I got from that extra 60% of costs brings in400% more profit year after year. (but it did cost and extra grand back in the 90's )

 

[trakers]

“Simply buy coreldraw and be done with stupid USB keys forever.”
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Actually I have just purchased Corel. We shall see how that pans out. I'm hoping it is better these days that in the past.
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“But it felt good to rant, though, didn't it?”
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Certainly did.<o></o>

 

[andy]

I've heard the "sign makers need special software" argument for years and I simply do not agree.

For vinyl cutting you need an interface program between corel and the machine- I personally use what you would probably term special sign software for this. The actual drawing and layout parts of this software are IMO complete junk- I certainly never bother with them. I paid extra for a "sign specific" add on- a channel letter plug in. This is also complete cr*p- in so far as it doesn't actually work with any degree of finesse or accuracy- something the vendor can't help with because they've never used it on real life applications.

If you are saying that something like signlab can out generate profit by 400% over Corel I simply can't agree- even for digital printing Corel is a superb package- if you know how to use Draw and Paint properly and in concert.

 

[Replicator]

Trakers . . . we've got so many damn dongles . . . It hurts when we pee - LOL

 

[Techman]

I use corel and cocut pro. There has never been a time when I couldn't come up with a technique to duplicate some techniques that the dedicated systems have. So as far as 90% i would guess its more like 98%.
The other 2 % can be filled with other plugins if that time ever came. Such as consecutive numbering.....

As far as the dongle problem..

Enlightened software authors use a better system. Such as needing an update that fill in some extra code for some critical function. The author gives access to a specific server and provides the user with an extra bit of code tied to the serial number. Never a need to moan about a dongle..

 

[Geary]

Well.....all I gotta say is I'm sure this isn't the first time a man has been frustrated when he couldn't find his dongle.

......lil humor there.

~Gear

 

[mark in tx]

Don't let your Dingle Dongle Dangle in the dirt!
Pick up your Dingle Dongle and tie it to your shirt!

 

[OldPaint]

I've heard the "sign makers need special software" argument for years and I simply do not agree.

For vinyl cutting you need an interface program between corel and the machine- I personally use what you would probably term special sign software for this. The actual drawing and layout parts of this software are IMO complete junk- I certainly never bother with them. I paid extra for a "sign specific" add on- a channel letter plug in. This is also complete cr*p- in so far as it doesn't actually work with any degree of finesse or accuracy- something the vendor can't help with because they've never used it on real life applications.

If you are saying that something like signlab can out generate profit by 400% over Corel I simply can't agree- even for digital printing Corel is a superb package- if you know how to use Draw and Paint properly and in concert.

I 2nd THAT!!!! i have played in all of the "premier sign softwares" and have yet to find something i cant do in COREL(way less money/no dongle, and i can put the same program on 3 different computers)
as software goes corel is the best. as for sign programs, SIGNLAB/FLEXI/SIGN WIZARD/VMPRO are the best GERBER is still doin the "gerber gotcha" routine like it was 1984. sorry no thanks ....i need soft ware i dont wana BUY THE COMPANY!!!!!!!!
"Don't let your Dingle Dongle Dangle in the dirt!
Pick up your Dingle Dongle and tie it to your shirt!"...................do you know the rest of it)))))))))?????????????? hahahahahahahahaha
REP.... you need my catherter..........DONT HURT AT ALL)))))))))))))))))))))))