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New Frontiers in Frustration | 34 comments (34 topical) | Post A Comment
re: Macromedia's Dreamweaver MX activation[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#14)
by Anonymous User on Mon Aug 23, 2004 at 09:31:02 AM PDT

"Through a series of system problems and hard drive issues, I was forced to re-install Dreamweaver several times. And on each occasion, had to activate the software via their web site. On the 4th installation, I was told that I had run out of activations and could no longer use the software.  It was only 8 months old. I was furious."

I'm sorry for the trouble you experienced. It's bad enough to re-install, re-serialize, and re-authenticate software, but to have the come atop multiple OS installs and hardware replacements, I'd be pretty unhappy too.

That repeated serial-authentication through "product activation" should be pretty easy to minimize, though. If you know you'll be replacing part of your hardware, thus breaking the old activation key, then just use that "Transfer Your License" item in the Help Menu. (This shouldn't usually be necessary, but if you're doing multiple hardware replacements within a short period of time then it can help.) Here's source info:
http://www.macromedia.com/software/activation/faq/#itemE-6

The goal here is to reduce casual copying, particularly among businesses, so that honest individual users don't end up paying more than their share for software development. But at the same time, this can't become any kind of hassle for the actual customers. If you see a situation in which the Macromedia activation implementation gives you a hard time, I'd strongly request that you drop a note at that "Activation Feedback" link, so that we could smooth out any remaining rough edges. Thanks!
http://www.macromedia.com/software/activation/

Regards,
John Dowdell
Macromedia Support

[ Parent | Reply to This ]



re: Macromedia's Dreamweaver MX activation[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#17)
by Anonymous User on Tue Aug 24, 2004 at 03:50:16 AM PDT

John Dowdell wrote:

If you know you'll be replacing part of your hardware, thus breaking the old activation key, then just use that "Transfer Your License" item in the Help Menu.

I'm not sure if I am more distressed by the speciousness of this suggestion or that it seems to have been posted with the sincere belief that it is an appropriate response to the original posters problem. All too often, hardware changes are unanticipated, unplanned, and unpleasant. When a system component fails, my principal concern is restoring the system to operation. This can consume ample time without having to fiddle with an activation transfer. Moreover, how many activations should I be expected to do? If I do a planned replacement of a hard drive, should I have to budget time to transfer licenses for 15 applications? Or is it unreasonable of me to expect to use my computer with more than one application? I thought the goal was for my computer to save me time.



[ Parent | Reply to This ]


re: Macromedia's Dreamweaver MX activation[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#18)
by Anonymous User on Tue Aug 24, 2004 at 08:57:47 AM PDT

"All too often, hardware changes are unanticipated, unplanned, and unpleasant."

Agreed, which is why I started that sentence with "If you know you'll be replacing...".

There will indeed sometimes be sudden hardware replacements, which is why the default serial-authentication accommodates this scenario. It's rarer to have a whole sequence of hardware replacements within a short period of time, but if you're in this situation, then just de-activating any software you installed between hardware replacements will make it easy.

If you're for some reason in a situation where you're doing a series of hardware replacements within a short period, ,and install, serialize, and authenticate software between each hardware replacement, and don't de-activate a license after authenticating it and before the next hardware replacement, then you will need to speak to a human before the software permits additional authentications.

That situation should be rare, though, because the software runs in trial mode for a month before requiring an authenticated-unique serial number.

I wasn't being "specious" here... the system is indeed set up to minimize hassle for legitimate customers. But if you *do* find a situation that's an actual problem for you, then we'd definitely want to get that non-anonymous contact through the feedback form so the group can address it, thanks.

Regards,
John Dowdell
Macromedia Support

[ Parent | Reply to This ]



re: Macromedia's Dreamweaver MX activation[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#19)
by Ed Foster on Tue Aug 24, 2004 at 10:24:42 AM PDT

I certainly don't see anything specious about Mr. Dowdell's posting. I appreciate his taking the time to address the earlier posting.

One thing I have noted previously is that Macromedia is one of the few companies that has implemented a license transfer capability in its product activation, and I think they deserve some credit for that, however you may feel about the activation itself.

Ed Foster



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Minimize hassles?[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#20)
by pfaut on Tue Aug 24, 2004 at 11:19:11 AM PDT

the system is indeed set up to minimize hassle for legitimate customers

I don't buy that. Minimum hassles would be install-and-go. Activation schemes are only adding hassles.



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Macromedia Does Not Get It[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#24)
by Anonymous User on Tue Aug 24, 2004 at 01:58:16 PM PDT

Activation is always going to be a hassle for legitimate users. What about system crashes? I certainly cannot unbind my license ahead of time in that case. And even if I could, if I have iTunes AAC songs, Dreamweaver MX 2004, Photoshop CS, etc, I have a whole slew of applications I must unbind in different ways. Will users forget to unbind some apps and media? No doubt. The point is this is nothing but a hassle for me, the legitimate user.

I have contacted Macromedia through the method you mentioned when MX 2004 was released. Like with Adobe, I received nothing beyond a boilerplate response -- absolutely none of my concerns were addressed.

All this leaves me with a single choice: I do not use you products and when I consult with others, I advise the same (and am very effective, I might add).

It is time for software companies to start focusing on the customer again. Adding activation schemes, reducing the quality of support, and making it nearly impossible to talk to a human being seem to be the norm these days.

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Your product activation[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#30)
by Anonymous User on Wed Sep 08, 2004 at 12:17:42 PM PDT

I already sent you an email stating that I will not be held hostage by you or anyone else and that includes the assumption, by you, that I am guilty of software piracy until I prove otherwise by activating my software! Whether you realize it or not it is insulting and demeaning! I purchased Dreamweaver MX and since that is the last version that is activation-free, it will be the last copy of Dreamweaver I will ever purchase. I have already said the same to Adobe as I have the last versions of four of their major products that are without activation. Those will no longer be upgraded as well for exactly the same reason. Voting with my wallet is the only recourse I have against you and this mass stupidity that is taking over the industry. I hope to hell that a groundswell of consumer animosity takes place and you and every other company that has foolishly taken this course finds yourr revenues dropping through the floor and end up staring bankruptcy in face! It is the only thing you seem to understand and the only thing you deserve for treating your customers this way. See-yahhhh!

[ Parent | Reply to This ]


activation == cheaper prices[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#31)
by Anonymous User on Tue Oct 26, 2004 at 02:58:10 PM PDT

The goal here is to reduce casual copying, particularly among businesses, so that honest individual users don't end up paying more than their share for software development.

Since when did activation become a factor in pricing of products? How much did you reduce the price after you added activation? Did your user base increase or decrease??

[ Parent | Reply to This ]


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