Open letter to companies still using iLok ( looking at you Slate Digital )

[subsynq]

sounds like a straw man. what 'optimized DAW' approach? repeatedly suggested where, and by who? why does 'optimisation' require uninstalling drivers after use?

removing a dongle from a computer leaves it not only with now-useless drivers which might cause stability issues, but also with the software which won't start since the key is now absent (as in a plugin that takes time to be scanned, but not working). need I mention older arturia stuff which crashed the DAW on plugin scan if you didn't happen to have the dongle connected?

edit: k, no need to reply, muted

[whyterabbyt]

I don't see why someone would need to enter all of their serial numbers in this fashion more than once every few years when they get a new computer or install a fresh major OS upgrade... and I certainly like being able to do this without relying on a dongle.

Well, you made the comparison with installing drivers, not me; can you see why that same someone would need to install ilok software in this fashion more than once every few years when they get a new computer or install a fresh major OS upgrade...? keeping things like for like, and all that.

[whyterabbyt]

sounds like a straw man. what 'optimized DAW' approach? repeatedly suggested where, and by who? why does 'optimisation' require uninstalling drivers after use?

removing a dongle from a computer leaves it not only with now-useless drivers which might cause stability issues

Thats not really how drivers work.

edit: k, no need to reply, muted

Ah, one of those kind of guys. Liar and coward about it

[djanthonyw]

I don't see why someone would need to enter all of their serial numbers in this fashion more than once every few years when they get a new computer or install a fresh major OS upgrade... and I certainly like being able to do this without relying on a dongle.

Well, you made the comparison with installing drivers, not me; can you see why that same someone would need to install ilok software in this fashion more than once every few years when they get a new computer or install a fresh major OS upgrade...? keeping things like for like, and all that.

Actually, I did not mention drivers at all. I was talking about the physical dongle.

[kelvyn]

Simple argument for iLok... A lot...And I mean almost ALL the musicians I know use cracked versions of software. Hobby and Pro!
Maybe because I come from a different generation or maybe because I had certain codes of conduct drilled into me is the reason I don't/won't use cracks. Whatever... but I understand any software developer who uses what they consider to be the best protection for their product and support them. ILok works and all companies soft or hard have problems sometime so I don't get the negative attitude from people.
I've had composers in my publishing company on my back about accounts and payment whilst at the same time those same composers were downloading Warez music and software. And when I tried explaining to them their obvious departure from reality they just shrugged their shoulders. Go figure!

Slate make great stuff so who cares about iLok.... Slate even give it away when you buy stuff.

[whyterabbyt]

I don't see why someone would need to enter all of their serial numbers in this fashion more than once every few years when they get a new computer or install a fresh major OS upgrade... and I certainly like being able to do this without relying on a dongle.

Well, you made the comparison with installing drivers, not me; can you see why that same someone would need to install ilok software in this fashion more than once every few years when they get a new computer or install a fresh major OS upgrade...? keeping things like for like, and all that.

Actually, I did not mention drivers at all. I was talking about the physical dongle.

Im actually confused now. Here's the original context I was operating in :

I just don't get why people say there's an advantage to installing iLok software

Could you explain what you meant by 'iLok software' there, because to me, I'd use 'iLok software' and 'iLok driver' fairly interchangably since they're the same installer.

If Ive misunderstood, I'd be grateful for the clarification as to how.

[djanthonyw]

I don't see why someone would need to enter all of their serial numbers in this fashion more than once every few years when they get a new computer or install a fresh major OS upgrade... and I certainly like being able to do this without relying on a dongle.

Well, you made the comparison with installing drivers, not me; can you see why that same someone would need to install ilok software in this fashion more than once every few years when they get a new computer or install a fresh major OS upgrade...? keeping things like for like, and all that.

Actually, I did not mention drivers at all. I was talking about the physical dongle.

Im actually confused now. Here's the original context I was operating in :

I just don't get why people say there's an advantage to installing iLok software

Could you explain what you meant by 'iLok software' there, because to me, I'd use 'iLok software' and 'iLok driver' fairly interchangably since they're the same installer.

If Ive misunderstood, I'd be grateful for the clarification as to how.

I should have probably worded it like this initially, but I simply meant software that requires an iLok.

[whyterabbyt]

I should have probably worded it like this initially, but I simply meant software that requires an iLok.

ah, sorry, I misunderstood you, then.

[The_Hidden_Goose]

I've had times when I've reinstalled my O/S and the whole audio software set numerous times in a relatively short period - and it's true, it is rather tedious and irritating to have to go through it all each time. That's not really an argument that'll make me see the downside of iLok any differently though. I can handle irritation. If I'm reinstalling the whole shebang, then I'm already resigned to a pretty tedious few hours anyway.

Depending on how the drivers work (they don't all do the same thing) then the driver not seeing the device could be an issue - I would hazard that iLok isn't constantly polling the device when it isn't available, so is unlikely to cause any more problems than it would if the device is there.

If I were a pro, I'd worry about things like the recent downtime happening to me at a critical time. I would be intersted in the ease of portable licenses if I were pro though. As I'm not, that wouldn't be such an issue for me either. My issues are mostly centered around a) having to pay seperately for someone else's security, when it's essentially not my problem and neither should it be b) I'm not entirely sure how accomodating Pace are for people who lose or break the device, or whose device stops working for some reason (I've heard good and bad reports on that score) c) I don't want devices sticking out of my computer if I can help it - especially, but not only on a laptop d) USB often causes problems and hiccups and glitches on my past computers, and although (touch wood) my current PC seems immune to those problems it would be a worry if I have a problem on my pc that affects just that bit, then my music-making would be on hold until that's sorted - it basically adds dependency...minor, but there u go.

These are my foibles, but I don't think my individual wants & needs should be catered to by every company out there just to get my money. Again - there's plenty of good stuff out there without donglism, so we don't NEED those companies to cave in to pressure - would be nice for those who don't like them, but they'd be annoying a reasonable section of their current customers by switching away.

In fact it could work to our advantage in the long run - some upstart dev might decide to make something better than the best currently dongled gear and do it without dongles, and cheaper etc...The iLok/no iLok competition might end up being weirdly good for the whole audio software scene. Stranger things have happened!

I don't buy stuff from dev's that don't use dongles specifically for that reason - I buy their stuff because I want to use it. It's ultimately down to the end-user whether the thing in question is worth the perceived disadvantages of dongles.

Not right now, but never say never (I'm still toying with getting Xils 3 when I have the dosh and xmas isn't just round the corner!)

[conleec]

I just don't get why people say there's an advantage to installing iLok software compared to software that uses a simple serial number... is copy / pasting really more difficult?

Copy/pasting more than two or three licenses isn't more difficult but it is more tedious. After ten fifteen serial number installs on a new machine, I have certainly wished I didn't need to do any more, and yes, at that point I say it gets past a chore and into a hindrance. Once you're at the fifty point, 'difficult' applies.

I don't see why someone would need to enter all of their serial numbers in this fashion more than once every few years when they get a new computer or install a fresh major OS upgrade... and I certainly like being able to do this without relying on a dongle.

The reason why is that many people jump from studio to studio. I have roughly 70 licenses on my iLok. I carry my installers on a USB stick. When I roll into a new situation, I install what I want, and the iLok does the rest. Seriously, I don't need to debate it. I honestly have to think long and hard before I purchase a plugin that DOESN'T use iLok. Anything else is a total PITA for me.

My only reason I'm posting is just to let developers know that there's a sizeable contingent of professionals out there who actually LIKE iLok and depend on it.

Everybody is free to make their own purchasing decisions. That's what I do when I don't buy something that uses some other protection mechanism.

Also, one last point, iLok's TLC protection is absolutely free and it's brilliant. You simply turn it on in your account and then your dongle calls home once every 90 days. In exchange for that, you have total protection in the event your dongle gets lost or stolen. If it does, instant replacement of the licenses. The only downside is that your dongle has to call home at least once every 90 days. That's how they deactivate stolen or lost licenses. Brilliant, effective, and a HUGE load off my mind.

Again, count me among the absolute FANS of iLok.

Chris Conlee

[budweiser]

Despite all the notorious iLok-rants over the Interweb, using an iLok doesn't bother many people, me included.

+1. More convenient than c/r and even serial (when reinstalling my enormous bunch of soft on a new system, ilok/syncrosoft are a piece of cake compared to others)

[zakufan]

Copy protection is cool, but ilok is not. I never have any problems with elicenser. I wish all developers could ditch ilok for elicenser!! Elicenser never stop working.

[The_Hidden_Goose]

If they're happy to replace everything lost then that'd be one of my issues crossed off. As I said though, I've had both good and bad reports of how they handle that.

The 90-day call-home period would be fine for me, provided I could call them and tell them not to kill the licences if I'm somewhere I can't get to the internet without too much fuss. 90 days is quite a long time to not be online though, so that would be unlikely.

So...if I were to cave in and get Xils 3, what would people recommend - they iLok or eLicenser version? What are the differences?

[zakufan]

If they're happy to replace everything lost then that'd be one of my issues crossed off. As I said though, I've had both good and bad reports of how they handle that.

The 90-day call-home period would be fine for me, provided I could call them and tell them not to kill the licences if I'm somewhere I can't get to the internet without too much fuss. 90 days is quite a long time to not be online though, so that would be unlikely.

So...if I were to cave in and get Xils 3, what would people recommend - they iLok or eLicenser version? What are the differences?

I have Xils V+ with elicenser. The difference is that elicenser never stop working

[djanthonyw]

I just don't get why people say there's an advantage to installing iLok software compared to software that uses a simple serial number... is copy / pasting really more difficult?

Copy/pasting more than two or three licenses isn't more difficult but it is more tedious. After ten fifteen serial number installs on a new machine, I have certainly wished I didn't need to do any more, and yes, at that point I say it gets past a chore and into a hindrance. Once you're at the fifty point, 'difficult' applies.

I don't see why someone would need to enter all of their serial numbers in this fashion more than once every few years when they get a new computer or install a fresh major OS upgrade... and I certainly like being able to do this without relying on a dongle.

The reason why is that many people jump from studio to studio. I have roughly 70 licenses on my iLok. I carry my installers on a USB stick. When I roll into a new situation, I install what I want, and the iLok does the rest. Seriously, I don't need to debate it. I honestly have to think long and hard before I purchase a plugin that DOESN'T use iLok. Anything else is a total PITA for me.

My only reason I'm posting is just to let developers know that there's a sizeable contingent of professionals out there who actually LIKE iLok and depend on it.

Everybody is free to make their own purchasing decisions. That's what I do when I don't buy something that uses some other protection mechanism.

Also, one last point, iLok's TLC protection is absolutely free and it's brilliant. You simply turn it on in your account and then your dongle calls home once every 90 days. In exchange for that, you have total protection in the event your dongle gets lost or stolen. If it does, instant replacement of the licenses. The only downside is that your dongle has to call home at least once every 90 days. That's how they deactivate stolen or lost licenses. Brilliant, effective, and a HUGE load off my mind.

Again, count me among the absolute FANS of iLok.

Chris Conlee

So you have to spend all of that time installing 70+ pieces of software in every studio you use? Do you also uninstall all of that software the studio did not ask to have installed on their system after you are done?

This is why I do everything on a laptop. It is portable, and not only do I not have to spend time installing software, but I get to take my whole working computer environment with me along with any necessary projects and files which I can dock anywhere... and I know it will work without having to worry about any problems like OS upgrades for whichever software you want to install too. That seems to make a bit more sense.