Comments

There are 22 kickass comments ~ what do you think?

1. Obviously the dongles force everyone who doesn’t have any money to actually buy plug-ins and software instead of oh, I don’t know, food?

   Companies are actually stupid enough to think that statistically they’re gonna have more legit buyers this way. Like suddenly all the kids who use cracked software (obviously because they’re broke) are gonna miraculously grow some money in their bank accounts.

   This is just another way to make a starving artist have even less chances to be an artist at all.

   By Jonathan Grand ~ August 20, 2007 kl 11:06 am

2. Honestly, i really appreciate and enjoy the “software key” CONCEPT. I just wish they would standardize it somehow; one key.

   Software keys have other uses besides just checking for legitimacy. I appreciate being able to use the software I paid for on any machine that I’m using without having to re-purchase the software or having to remember my authorizations. Install, plugin and go.

   People who use the “I use cracked software because legit software is too expensive” excuse are the stupid ones, not the companies.

   By spkguitar ~ August 20, 2007 kl 11:30 am

3. Ok, dongles are infurating and horribly annoying, but I have to say that the quote:

   “This is just another way to make a starving artist have even less chances to be an artist at all.”

   is just a very weird backwards way of looking at it. No-one is stopping artists from being artists. If not having a free plug-in is preventing you from being an artist, it’s time to re-examine your idea of art.

   I’m a pretty left-wing guy and I absolutely have empathy for those who are less privileged. But I have no tolerance for the “Stuff should be free. Waaaahhh!!” argument. Software makers do not owe you or anybody free software. Re-examine your sense of entitlement. It’s this tilted entitlement-based ethic that freaks out software designers and makes them feel vulnerable and devalued. It makes them resort to awful solutions like dongles, which is the most fearful mistrusting concept ever. But remember: many software makers are themselves starving artists.

   I agree, however, that the people who want cracked plug-ins are not potential customers. This is the same for people who steal cars, by the way, so be careful with extending this analogy too righteously. People who steal cars were never going to buy them. It’s true. I can tell you, as the one-time victim of car theft. It’s a fact. A stolen car is not the loss of a sale. But what the hell does it mean? Nothing. So let’s leave that “defense” on the side of the road and move on.

   Companies like Audio Damage have the right idea: Make your copy protection simple, easy and not too paranoid. Don’t punish the paying customer. Keep your costs low and attractive enough to dissuade piracy (which is a hassle). Have a little trust and faith that people will do the right thing. Create a culture of mutual respect.

   I hope that more companies shed the dongle approach and try the Audio Damage way: cool stuff for reasonable prices, relaxed copy protection and a culture of trust and sharing.

   - c

   By Chad Clark ~ August 20, 2007 kl 12:39 pm

4. wrong.

   By Jonathan Grand ~ August 20, 2007 kl 1:46 pm

5. My Ilok is the only dongle I need and it’s great for using my plug-ins anywhere I like.

   Of course everyone should pay for the software they use.

   By Nils Johansson ~ August 20, 2007 kl 3:42 pm

6. “Of course everyone should pay for the software they use.”

   Yes, seems like common sense to me. Apparently Jonathan Grand disagrees with you. Starving artists should get their software free.

   - c

   By Chad Clark ~ August 20, 2007 kl 3:46 pm

7. ““Of course everyone should pay for the software they use.”

   Yes, seems like common sense to me. Apparently Jonathan Grand disagrees with you. Starving artists should get their software free.”

   Yeah that’s exactly what I said isn’t it? Not a single word less or more. You just quoted me directly, didn’t you? *sarcasm*

   Don’t be a liar.

   By Jonathan Grand ~ August 20, 2007 kl 9:02 pm

8. To be fair, Jonathan, it DID seem like what you were saying.

   Your quote “This is just another way to make a starving artist have even less chances to be an artist at all.” seemed kind of like you were saying dongles were bad because they prevent starving artists from having free software. I think that’s how most of us took it. Seemed a little young and naive to me.

   If that’s not what you meant, you should clarify instead of simply writing weird stuff like “Wrong.” and “Don’t be a liar.” You’re not helping your case here…

   By Brian Coles ~ August 20, 2007 kl 10:33 pm

9. I don’t need to “help my case”.

   I’m saying dongles only try to stop non-potential clients from using the software, lowering the quality level of music production from the low-income people. It doesn’t contribute to more sales, so the only thing it does it a mean and vile thing based only on “if-you-dont-have-money-you-dont-deserve-to-create” type of thinking.

   But all of you were raised on that kind of thoughts so i supposed you will all fight to defend that diabolic point of view. That’s what TV and your parents taught you to believe, and you’ll fight for it to the death without questioning. So I’m not blaming you. I’m blaming a system that allows multimillionaire sellers to behave like little sadistic babies.

   By Jonathan Grand ~ August 21, 2007 kl 1:06 am

10. Wrong.

    

    - c

    By Chad Clark ~ August 21, 2007 kl 1:30 am

11. Oh no. I’m right. Like, totally.

    By Jonathan Grand ~ August 21, 2007 kl 1:40 am

12. Don’t be a liar.

    By Brian Coles ~ August 21, 2007 kl 6:45 am

13. You all forget one nice thing with dongles like iLok; you can use the software on multiple systems and you also don’t need to request any new serials or challenge codes when you buy a new computer as an example.

    By Michael ~ August 21, 2007 kl 7:57 am

14. Heahh…. it’s good now with USB, At least you can transfere licenses to one or 2 dongles. 7 year ago I had 8 LPT1 dongles ======18 inches looooooong. It looked like something from StarWars

    By Steve C ~ September 1, 2007 kl 11:54 pm

15. Hey Jonathan,

    I agree with you totally. I’m a poor student with no money and am sure that I have the ability to be a great producer one day. If I only had a way to get started recording some projects. I’ll probably never go and buy anything since that would mean “working” to earn what I need. And after all, the companies who develop and sell everything make millions and I know lots of people who use pirate versions. So, I’ve got to have Pro Tools and a computer and some microphones……

    What’s your address so I can come over to your house and steal yours?

    By Walter ~ September 5, 2007 kl 8:40 am

16. Hey Walter,

    let me point out to you in what specific ways you are a thundering moron. When you drive around in your gas guzzling SUV that you were able to buy with a combination of mommy, daddy, and an alarmingly overpaid job considering your lack of intelligence and competence, you might think excessive capitalism is an awesome thing! I can’t blame you for that, you’re just sucking on the system’s tits like the good boy you are. But some people are your opposite, and show talent + financial problems. They’re not amazingly common, but they exist. Try to use your tiny chicken brain to picture the following: a US immigrant has experience and knowledge in some music or video production field. He loves America and wants to make himself useful by creating things while he waits for an opportunity to be integrated with the social security/citizenship system. He is studying in an american college for several thousands of dollars of tuition, compared to ridiculous $20 for an in-state citizen. He is not allowed to work, despite his valuable knowledge. Sometimes he even has trouble to save for food. What would you tell him? You know what? I don’t wanna hear your answer. Just shut up. Unless you wanna sell your useless and pathetic belongings to donate the money to people who should be making a lot more than you - that would be the only logical and fair action at this point

    By Joe Morishig ~ September 5, 2007 kl 3:33 pm

17. Joe,

    I tried posting a response. And while it might have been intercepted for being too offensive in language, I suspect even a cleaner version wouldn’t have made it since my viewpoint differs from the majority……..obviously not a fair and balanced forum…….which is fine and the forum’s perogative.

    This probably won’t make it either so I won’t bother with any of my previous rebuttal to your pathetic ignorance. I will however say for the record (in case this does actually get posted) that my example was meant simply as an example; not a slam on students. If I were to write it again, I would substitute “student” with “Joe Morshig”. And not everyone who share my views drive SUVs and have free rides. I for one lost my parents, had to fund my own school and have EARNED everything I have………which I doubt someone of your ilk would ever understand since you feel “entitled” to whatever you want simply for breathing air.

    By Walter ~ September 10, 2007 kl 11:47 pm

18. “.obviously not a fair and balanced forum…….”

    What are you talking about? I have removed three posts of this blogs entire lifetime, and that was simply because they were very offensive. If your post didn’t make it it was probably caught among the spam or something was iffy with the connection at the moment.

    By stiff ~ September 11, 2007 kl 1:47 am

19. >>If your post didn’t make it it was probably caught among the spam or something was iffy with the connection at the moment.

    By Walter ~ September 11, 2007 kl 10:52 am

20. Obviously there is something wrong between my end and the forum. Even my previous post was truncated………so I apologize for accusing you of censorship. ( however, that would have been your perogative since this is your forum).

    We’ll see what shows up from this……..

    By Walter ~ September 11, 2007 kl 10:55 am

21. [...] not that I like iLok. In fact, I’ve been known to complain about dongles in the past. But when I look at my favorite plug-ins, they pretty much all use dongles. McDSP, [...]

    By Slapdelay » Why I don’t boycott PACE/iLok ~ December 4, 2007 kl 3:18 pm

22. Apart from Logic 6 & 7, I don’t know of any dongle-protected audio software which hasn’t been cracked. Funnily enough, Logic is now to version 8, with serial protection, and price has dropped by 50% while the package has more than doubled.

    Basically, what I’m trying to say is that dongles don’t prevent piracy, and in my case, help me use the software without the nightmare of dongles. And I buy the software I use and make money from.

    The argument “I appreciate being able to use the software I paid for on any machine that I’m using without having to re-purchase the software or having to remember my authorizations.” isn’t valid: many software publishers will let you install the same copy on several machines. They only ask you only use it on one machine at the time. Naive? well those who believe that piracy doesn’t exist are the naive ones IMHO.

    By Woodworm ~ January 13, 2008 kl 10:10 pm