Tone2 Firebird going Freeware

[cosmosis]

Well, even replacing .dll files in 'system32' and 'Windows' with older versions without asking sadly seems to be pretty common with all kinds of installers.

I gotta say I'm not to happy with some of T2's decisions but to be fair, I've never had a problem with their VSTs.

[flakes2]

never had a problem with any tone2 plugin, since i only use legit stuff.

Some years ago there was a thread here on kvr where some guy claimed that The Saurus installer would do something fishy and would 'scan' the vst directory. There was a similar rant like here. After that Tone2 posted the sourcecode for the installer. It turned out that it counted the number of dll files to detect the correct directory, since some people have several hosts installed and it would make the install more easy. To count the files you usually call the same windows routine as on opening a file. A lot of people don't know the correct location to install an vst. There was nothing wrong with the installer. My guess is that they use exactly the same codebase here, since programmers a lazy.

Instead of doing false claims with 'technical half knowledge' and tools that you don't understand properly you should simply use an inno setup unpacker and read the sourcecode.

So maybe some of you should excuse for the false claims and some other paranoid (thieves?) should calm down a bit.

To sum up the FACTS:

- Firebird is freeware
- If you don't like it don't use it.
- The price was previously around $80
- It deactivates illegal keyfiles which have been purchased with stolen credit cards
- The eula, bastiaan from Tone2 and the creackers says that it can do this.
- When you install you accept the eula.
- The installer does not do anything unusual. It does not 'scan' vst directories, it counts the number of files to detect the correct location
- during the last years and a large number of rants noone ever was able the proof that a tone2 software would have harmed his computer
- Legit users do not notice the copy protection at all
- Deactivating cracks and blacklisting is a common practice used from Developers since ages
- Obviously there seem to be a quite large number of thieves who got trapped by the 'honeypot' and are whining now
- There are a quite large number of free soundsets available.

[Ingonator]

Many thanks for that post. Sums it all up quite well.

Like mentioned many times by myself and others there is indeed no problem with Tone2 software as long as it is legit.

Anyway, some people here will continue bashing Tone2 again and again. Let's see when Nemesis will be released. I bet that the same topic will be discussed again but i'm always up for a surprise...


Ingo

[idfpower]

- It deactivates illegal keyfiles which have been purchased with stolen credit cards
- The eula, bastiaan from Tone2 and the creackers says that it can do this.
- When you install you accept the eula.

Kerosene

EULA is a contract. Which means that all the rights and obligations of the signing parts MUST BE CLEARLY STATED - otherwise they're null. If the EULA says that TONE2 products will scan and remove any blacklisted keys, probe folders or even use the user's PC to hijack NASA satellites, and the user agrees, then it's a done deal and there's no point in complaining. BUT if it's not stated, then normally (and legally) their products are not allowed to do that, because it's not "technically necessary" to remove blacklisted keys from other products in order to run a specific synth, and on the other hand key/authorization codes/etc are not "intelectual belonging of Tone2" - just their actual creations - the instruments. Plus: any contract has a specific object - it cannot refer to other products/etc even if that software is produced by the same company.

What I'm saying is that EULA should be modified in order to specify what the software does exactly. But my guess is that TONE2 is not keen on revealing that precisely because that might alienate potential buyers and fuel badmouthing.

Don't get me wrong, I love the synths created by TONE2 (Gladiator and Firebird are among my top favs), but at the same time I don't like sneaky behaviour and rubber band interpretation of contractual terms

[Ingonator]

What I'm saying is that EULA should be modified in order to specify what the software does exactly. But my guess is that TONE2 is not keen on revealing that precisely because that might alienate potential buyers and fuel badmouthing.

Why should they? To make work easier for crackers?

From my knowledge they don't have bigger problems concerning sales and the opinion of a few people does not always represent the opinion of the majority which some people here seem to forget.


Ingo

[Numanoid]

It would be great if the thread could be split in two:

One thread discussing Firbird, the plugin, presets, etc

The other thread for the seemingly never ending bickering about the Tone 2 scanning procedure, EULA etc

[tomtoo]

- It deactivates illegal keyfiles which have been purchased with stolen credit cards
- The eula, bastiaan from Tone2 and the creackers says that it can do this.
- When you install you accept the eula.

Kerosene

EULA is a contract. Which means that all the rights and obligations of the signing parts MUST BE CLEARLY STATED - otherwise they're null. If the EULA says that TONE2 products will scan and remove any blacklisted keys, probe folders or even use the user's PC to hijack NASA satellites, and the user agrees, then it's a done deal and there's no point in complaining......

Thats wrong !

A contract has to be in law. And i dont think hijacking NASA satellites is in law.
Maybe in russia ? Dont know.

[idfpower]

Why should they? To make work easier for crackers?

From my knowledge they don't have bigger problems concerning sales and the opinion of a few people does not always represent the opinion of the majority which some people here seem to forget.


Ingo

1. Crackers always find (eventually) a way to crack software. They don't need to be told what protection system is used on the product - that's precisely their "job": finding out and beating it. So a clear statement regarding this "procedure" performed by TONE2 products is not meant to make crackers' job easier, but giving all the info to the buyer so he/she could decide whether they can accept that or not when purchasing a product.

2. It's not a matter of sales or opinions, is a matter of legality. Hiding info that might determine the other part not to sign the agreement can void that said contract. Good thing most ppl simply don't bother to read the EULA and just click "agreed"...

3. Like previously said, it's also a matter of how the company treats their potential buyers. By implementing such a system you imply that anyone is a potential criminal or too stupid to let him/she know what's going on. I wouldn't feel comfortable if my record would be consulted everytime I buy something from a store, you know It's an uncomfortable thought


All this drama can easily be avoided if the EULA gets updated and lays the cards on the table. Defending such behaviour instead of clearly stating what that software does will only raise more suspicions and fuel the arguments. Just my 2 cents.


And for the record, opinions do matter. Minority...majority...these are relative and only reflect a present state of things. Today's minority might very well become tomorrow's majority. That's why is important to listen to all

[Teksonik]

To sum up the FACTS:
- Obviously there seem to be a quite large number of thieves who got trapped by the 'honeypot' and are whining now

Do you have proof to substantiate your "facts" ? That's a pretty serious accusation. Equally as serious as the allegations that Tone 2 software has become malware.
* Obligatory Disclaimer: I've never used cracks, warez or pirated software of any kind and never will *

In regards to the Anti-Tone 2 attitude. When was the last time you saw anything negative about UHE or it's software ? Could there be a reason for that ? Perhaps the attitudes of the two developers explains why one is perpetually bashed and the other universally praised. Think it over.

Please feel free to share Firebird 2 with all your friends!

Gee I wonder why...........

[bluedad]

It would be great if the thread could be split in two:

One thread discussing Firbird, the plugin, presets, etc

The other thread for the seemingly never ending bickering about the Tone 2 scanning procedure, EULA etc

I kept hoping this talk would die down but should have known better. Locking it for now; when I get a chance I will split it into two threads.