Originally Posted By: bowlesj
I do not even see it as being a trouble maker. This is a ridiculous idea. Companies need to listen to the customers or they go out of business.


I used to upgrade the full package with all the bells and whistles every year, then when the price started going higher I'd sit out a year or two. Was just about to upgrade and while looking into one of the issue, came across this "Activation" issue. Funny, after reading this thread I found out that Cakewalk has essentially gone out of business.

Casual PC users are the majority of the public, most have moved on to their "smart" phones. Long, long time ago I was burned - for the LAST time - buying software from a company which required their continuity in order for me to use MY software. Software which requires me to keep an install code around somewhere is really annoying while it serves no effective purpose compating the pirate junkees.

Anyone who really uses a PC, likely has at least half a dozen in various stages, with laptops, file servers, etc. You have to periodically reinstall your OS, because there is no way around it, the OS itself ain't the most robust bowl of spagetti code.

Let's face it: The guys who created BandInTheBox are extremely talented and made a great product. But they're getting up there in age. Continuity is not something I'm going to bet more of my money on. Linux programs are getting better and better.

I'll keep my old versions of BIAB around, or maybe just the most recent, if I can find which USB drive has it.

Yeah, it was fun to read about the new features. But in most cases I've just stayed with the old stuff.

I don't want to get involved with any software which makes me find a pair of reading glasses, requires an internet connection, bosses me around like I'm a pledge in some corporation.

The activation that they've put in is likely beaten already, already "free" versions in the far East. Management should think, if your (loyal) customers don't have the time to put up with hacked bootleg versions of your software, why would they have the time to put up with Activation? When (not if) your hard drive crashes or you have to otherwise bite the bullet and upgrade your machine, I don't want ANY EXTRA WORK TO GET BACK UP AND RUNNING. Nothing!

I'm at the point where I'll keep an old laptop set up for just one project. I don't mess with software which makes me buy 10 licenses when I only use one.

I had a similar rant back on the Cakewalk forum. They were a "well behaived" software company like pgMusic was, simple install. But they went down the dark path, first an install code, then eventually activation, and all of the headaches for users that necessarily goes with it. So I dropped Cakewalk, never missed it. Vegas Pro (a few versions ago) is doing it for me for now. When my Vegas Pro goes belly up, I'll choose one of the many free and maturing Linux video editing apps.

pgmusic had a great run. I'll still use the software from time to time. I'm "off the wagon".

Just my opinion, to each his or her own. I made the mistake of going back to read the posts on Cakewalk's forum after my 'goodbye'. Oh, the fanboys were brutal.

Such is life. Good luck to pgMusic and everyone here, especially those who've been very helpfull

- Dave

Finally, I have found a cool signature with sufficiently dry humor.