Dongle or no dongle, that's the question!

[kritikon]

I voted yes, but I can't say I actually like them, more a case of I don't really care either way. But given a choice of security systems, I'd rather have dongle than all others (except a simple passcode). But even then, I still like the idea of dongles in terms of making piracy that much harder.

I've no problem with Syncrosoft, and TBH the only reason i won't buy an iLok is purely historical reasons, because it sounds like that company finally got their act together after years of shite service and product.

TBH a dongle just sits at the back of your PC and doesn't get in the way. I suppose it's different if you're on a laptop, but then I prefer a permanent studio to laptopery anyway, so a tower PC is going to be my main tool for the foreseeable future.

There are far bigger things to worry about than dongles...

[highkoo]

So a question; If it was standard for all dongles to be daisy chainable, or at least have a port on the back for regular usb use, wouldnt a lot more people be ok with them?

It would definitely make me a whole lot less anti.
In my mind there are two issues with dongles. One is the software/licensing/convenience/principle side, but the other is the physical part having to do with the actual thing, and ports, and breakage, etc.
It seems to me they could eliminate a lot of the trepidation by bumping up their production cost a tiny bit....

There are far bigger things to worry about than dongles...

Like a hardware ID on a graphics card being tied to a software license...
Some of those cards are friggin huge!!

[djanthonyw]

TBH a dongle just sits at the back of your PC and doesn't get in the way. I suppose it's different if you're on a laptop, but then I prefer a permanent studio to laptopery anyway, so a tower PC is going to be my main tool for the foreseeable future.

Since today's laptops are so powerful, I use mine as both my portable system and my desktop when I'm home. I simply dock it to my big monitor and devices. Having two computers just doesn't make sense for someone like me anymore and it also makes less sense to put up with dongles as well. I really don't feel like unplugging and pugging in usb devices that do absolutely nothing for me.

[el-bo (formerly ebow)]

but am not knocking dongles

not even after too many drinks ??

[braj]

but am not knocking dongles

not even after too many drinks ??

I don't drink...... wine!

[Nanakai]

So a question; If it was standard for all dongles to be daisy chainable, or at least have a port on the back for regular usb use, wouldnt a lot more people be ok with them?

An interesting question. For me, no, because...

Having two computers just doesn't make sense for someone like me anymore and it also makes less sense to put up with dongles as well. I really don't feel like unplugging and pugging in usb devices that do absolutely nothing for me.

That is 90% of my problem with dongles. I do use two computers, and having to shuttle my software license over a hardware USB dongle is completely absurd. And as the transfer depends on an Internet connection to the company's servers, it's like a C/R system that I need to go through every time I want to change computers. It completely boggles my mind that anyone would find this appealing.

[D.Wako]

I voted yes because i prefer Dongle(syncrosoft) over challenge-response activations. Simply because i feel more independent that way. Of course serial or a keyfile is even better... I'll probable never get an Ilock thou.

[dalor]

It's not in your power to change the dev's choice to use a dongle so what's the point?
The question should be "What will my downsides be for choosing dongled products?".

[hibidy]

I'm still disappointed Hink was never able to finish his "interview with a dongle"

[JJBiener]

It's not in your power to change the dev's choice to use a dongle so what's the point?

Really? You don't think the dev's choices might be influenced by public opinion? I do. It seems to me some companies have dropped the dongle due to the negative responses they've received about them.

The question should be "What will my downsides be for choosing dongled products?".

Or it might better be stated, do you like the software more than you dislike the dongle? So far, I have not found a piece of software so impressive that I am willing to put up with a dongle. But that's just me...

[braj]

So far, I have not found a piece of software so impressive that I am willing to put up with a dongle. But that's just me...

+1 on that.

[pdxindy]

It's not in your power to change the dev's choice to use a dongle so what's the point?

I think that is not so sure, but if nothing else, it is in my power to both try, and to choose for my own convenience not to use a dongle myself. I suppose if nothing I liked was available, I would get a dongle, but there is so much top end software that is dongle free that I am content with those choices...

[hibidy]

waves, RP, IK, apple logic are just a few I can remember that used to be dongled that are not anymore. I remember IK being pressured quite a bit by users so that is at least one that dropped it because users complained.

It's a choice. These days more so than ever

[twisted-space]

So far, I have not found a piece of software so impressive that I am willing to put up with a dongle. But that's just me...

It's not you know.

[trimph1]

I'm still disappointed Hink was never able to finish his "interview with a dongle"

That might have been a fun little project.