Thanks John, but two things still remain unclear. I know you probably don't have the answers, but they are 1 - is the cd on demand the same as the box cd, ie no activation required, and 2 - they mention a limited re-use, but not what that limit is.
And the bit that I don't like at all is this: In order for the activation code to work, you have to switch off the firewall and virus scanner while you are connected, great.
Why can't they just send the activation code via e-mail? Why do I have to be connected without any protection on? Something smells fishy here. What are they trying to do in the background that would be stopped by a firewall and/or virus scanner?
I am a bit concerned about "limited re-use"
OK I can tie up one of my spare hard drives by re-formatting it, installing windows XP followed by MSP8 so that if at any time I wish to do a "clean installation" on my computer (I have several computer literate buddies who do this to clear out all the cobwebs every now and again.) and then clone it onto another drive.
However, How long will this solution last, Next year Windows Vista will replace Windows XP, or are Ulead already planning MSP9? plus if they are, are they forcing me to buy a copy if my 'limited activations' get used up.
Had this information been forthcoming in the first place I would have explored the implications of purchasing the 'CD on demand' or even the boxed version.
Only a couple of weeks ago a small disaster hit my computer where I had to re-install windows, Good job this happened before my recent purchase of MSP8 otherwise one of my 'lives' would have been used up already.
These little disasters can be a result of a computer virus - inspite of firewalls and anti-virus checkers. As good as they are some can still get through, it is a constant battle between the nerds who create these things and the anti-virus companies.
Then there are problems caused by the odd electrical power failure, a worn out hard drive or a faulty memory chip. No matter how good your computer housekeeping disaster WILL at some time strike. Murphys Law.
Fortunately I am computer literate enough to be able to develop a good back up plan to get up and running fairly quickly, however I work in a computer orientated organisation and most of my colleagues are not and very often ask me to 'fix' their computer.
The "limited" re-use is not going to bother me. As it stands now, I will not upgrade to MSP8. The boxed version may be an option later on but only if I can buy it locally. I was hit with a A$ 50.- bill from the customs department once for the boxed version of a bit of software I won in some competition.
Fresh news, we will replace the online ESD Version to make it no activation
required. However, Trial Version is still TBYB. So if users did the
purchasing through Trial Version, he’ll still need internet access to
activate the product.
E-Commerce and Web team will update the FAQ for this changing. Technical
Support team is also ready to deal with the follow-up events from our users.
[b][i][color=red]Devil[/color][/i][/b]
[size=84]P4 Core 2 Duo 2.6 GHz/Elite NVidia NF650iSLIT-A/2 Gb dual channel FSB 1333 MHz/Gainward NVidia 7300/2 x 80 Gb, 1 x 300 Gb, 1 x 200 Gb/DVCAM DRV-1000P drive/ Pan NV-DX1&-DX100/MSP8/WS2/PI11/C3D etc.[/size]
Great news going forward, however when I purchased, it was never my intention to trial, I was doing an upgrade purchase, but the link sent to me was to the TBYB version, with an activation code, and another link to the content pack.
Not sure how this will impact me.
Some product manager at uLead needs to be taken out behind the woodshed. Just a bit of research on the net would hav disclosed that net-dependent "activation" is almost universally hated.
Similar to the machines you get when you call some company you bought a product from -- "Welcome.....to....Veeblefetzer....bank....our.... menu.... has...changed...." ARGH!!! Those machines are SO SLOW! My 60 y/o brain operates about 1000x as fast and I go NUTZ.
I received an email this am refering me to a new download link to a version that does not need activation. Busy downloading it currently, will post back as soon as it is complete and installed.
Finished my download, installed and viola, no activation required, thanks to all,esp Heinz who started this thread, shouldn't be anything holding you back now.
No, they sent it to me in response to my query. On the 'Buy' page for MSP 8, below the pricing, is a note mentioning the change from online activation to just entering a serial number on installation, and an instruction for contact should you have purchased prior to Oct 6.
btw, I received my on demand cd in the post yesterday, uninstalled MSP and reinstalled from the cd, no activation required, so from my side it is really problem solved, once again thanks to all involved.
