Topten Software

bradr · Post by **bradr** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 4:07 am

Hi All,

I'm considering adding online product activation to Cantabile Solo and Performer, but am a little concerned over how it might be received.

My intent here is not to stop you from installing several times - I'd just like to be able to block a stolen or publicly listed serial number from working.

The idea is, when Cantabile is first installed you enter your name/serial number (same as before) and it will connect to my site and activate itself at the click of a button - easy. If you're not connected, you need to copy/paste some text between a machine with internet access and the machine you're installing to (not so easy, but you need to manually copy the software anyway).

Any thoughts?

Brad

John-E34 · Post by **John-E34** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 4:25 am

My only concern is.... What happens if Topten Software shuts up shop, either by choice, bad health or by accident?

Either way, online activation may not be guaranteed in the long run.

I read here at KVR of many cases where purchased software becomes basicaly useless when the developers just give up...

I would however favor a key-file system, at least if we have backed-up the files, we can re-install the software.

TiUser · Post by **TiUser** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 11:29 am

Hi Brad.

That's a difficult question...

I absolutely understand your interest in protection.

It's inconvenient, but I don't really mind the online procedure as long as I don't have to go online with the machine I want to run Cantabile.

However, finally I have to agree to John.

But if you have any convincing model for the "emergency case" I support your online registering idea because your work is worth a minimum protection.

At the end all this does not help against cracks... which do not need any authentification any more...

TiUser · Post by **TiUser** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 11:42 am

John-E34 wrote:...I would however favor a key-file system, at least if we have backed-up the files, we can re-install the software.

Aren't these models usually tied to a machine and the keyfile is worthless if you install on a new, better machine?

SimSam · Post by **SimSam** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 11:49 am

Brad,

I had a question about this because I decided to install Cantabile solo (X64)on one of my XP64 machines. These are not on the net, but attached to my Vista64 computer through a private network (for using FX Teleport).

Anyway after I install your app and enter the license information and try to start it I get an error and when I restart it wants the license information all over again. It happens on both machines. I figured you already had installed something that needed to go to your site to activate.

If not, any ideas what's happening here? It works great on My Vista 64 system.

Brian

TiUser · Post by **TiUser** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 11:53 am

SimSam wrote:... If not, any ideas what's happening here? It works great on My Vista 64 system.

You might have activated the online version check... disable that and try again. Maybe that helps?

bradr · Post by **bradr** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 12:07 pm

SimSam wrote:Anyway after I install your app and enter the license information and try to start it I get an error and when I restart it wants the license information all over again. It happens on both machines. I figured you already had installed something that needed to go to your site to activate.

No, currently the only intenet access is for the version update checking.

If not, any ideas what's happening here? It works great on My Vista 64 system.

Not off hand. Is it generating a crash dump? see http://www.cantabilesoftware.com/support/debug.html . If so please send it to me as I'd like to take a look at it. If not, any other error messages?

I don't have access to an XP64 machine but I know that Lite x64 runs fine on it. Any chance you haven't tried with the latest build? There was a problem a few builds ago where it wouldn't run on XP64, but I don't think it was even getting to the registration dialog.

Anyway, if you've got those crash dumps please send them through.

bradr · Post by **bradr** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 12:12 pm

Regarding the other comments on activation I just want to acknowledge that I'm taking them into consideration and understand the points of view presented.

I haven't decided on anything yet and am currently deep into debugging a nasty crash - so my minds not really on it right now. I'll post a more complete reply later.

SimSam · Post by **SimSam** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 12:52 pm

Brad,

I sent you the crash dump from one of my XP64 machines via your webnotify email.

Sorry to have hijacked the thread.

Brian

Sasu Honka · Post by **Sasu Honka** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 3:36 pm

Brad,

I think that you should not consider online activations because there are users who could use Cantabile on something more exotic than a typical PC. Think about a LINUX/Wine or some kind of v-machine type situation.

I understand that it is very important to get the pirates out of the game, but more important still is that all your paying customers can use the lisence they bought without any extra troubles.

I personally try to avoid buying anything that involves online activation because I want to have something that I can use without having to worry about hardware or software updates.

Good luck with debugging.

Great app!!!!

Sasu

Debby747 · Post by **Debby747** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 3:45 pm

Please don't do this to Cantabile, Brad!

I would immediately have to ask you for a refund...

And I would be very unhappy to never use Cantabile again

I am in a shock now. I don't know why the world is so bad to me.
I feel like losing my best friend...

Regards
D.

bradr · Post by **bradr** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 10:19 pm

I've decided not to go with product activation - based on the feedback here, at other places where I've been reading up about this and also because of the administration side of it.

Instead, I've made some changes to increase the security on the serial number checking code. So far this is completely transparent but at some point I may re-issue a everyone a new serial number.

Thanks everyone for your feedback.

Debby747 · Post by **Debby747** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 9:15 am

Oh thank you very much!
I'm relieved beyond words...

All the best,
D.

TiUser · Post by **TiUser** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 2:35 pm

Hi

That's a very customer friendly decision. I hope people will gratitude this...

I personally thank you for less fuzz when it ever comes to reinstall my Cantabile on a new PC.

Concering myself, your support and response to feature ideas in beta phase was excellent and worth far more than what I've paied...

Sasu Honka · Post by **Sasu Honka** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 8:43 pm

This is Customer Service!!!

Everyone in the software business should take a lesson from Brad in customer relations!

Way to go, You have just sold me a license for V3 (Already bought Cantabile 2) with this policy!

Yours, Sasu

Topten Software

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Product Activation