Wow, my ass - more like "aw, shit..." The previous link is to Samplitude/logic "merger" - now the last holdout is a sell-out. Here is the text of an email I just sent Magix - Your comments are welcome; I know not everyone plays as straight as I do -

My feelings are very straightforward: I don't pirate your software, don't steal my songs. Fair enough?

Here is the text of my response to magix:

"I just saw the announcement about Emagic and Samplitude, which I was aware was in the works - however, nothing was mentioned in previous conversations about screwing up the copy protection. I have been a faithful Samplitude user since version 4.xx, and one of the main reasons I originally went with Samplitude is not having to hassle with a dongle. This was obviously a marketing decision, as anyone who has ever configured a computer for audio would NEVER do this. It is hard enough to get a combination of hardware/software/Operating system to function optimally, without making you enable a port you would not have used, or use it for something other than music.

I personally will now stop upgrading Samplitude until either the dongle goes away or I find a manufacturer that does what is best for their customers. Even Steinberg's ridiculous practice of wanting to see the original CD-Rom every so many start-ups (on some of their products)is better than a dongle. I don't care if you raise the price to do away with dongles, but lose them or me. I intend to post this on my own BBS (Recording.org) and anywhere else I can think of. Sincerely, your FORMER customer."

That's my take on "DungBeetles" - anybody here actually LIKE them? WHY??? (For once, NOT joking) Steve

First...Emagic taking over anything is a bad thing..if anyone knows Emagic like I do their distribution is terrible for the US..their warehouses are always empty..try and get a manual out ofem..in fact try and get a tech that actually knows something as well...maybe that has changed but I highly doubt it..

Ok, so no to the dongle...Code..that's what it all boils down to. Having talked with one of the Steinberg Germany guys he basically stated that the code for copy protection is really complex and wouls require all programmers to stop working on bugs and concentrate on the protection code..it's not easy to impliment into a software such as Nuendo...this is his take..me personally, it doesnt bother me at all. I dont see the huge deal over a friggen piece of plastic that prevents people from just copying the disc and and freely distributing it. Parellel port...I've configured machines to use the parellel port for an IRQ and it's worked fine even with the dongle attached..I can see serial ports like Emagic does..now that is lame!
Anyhue..I thihnk Samplitude users and owners should be aware of Emagic's lame support and operation..buyer beware as they say!
Opus

Yeah, I have struggled with the dongle issue for a long time as well. My own company uses dongles on some of our software products. It is just one more thing to go wrong, but like Opus, I have never had any problems with them, and once installed, I forget that they are there. But the point becomes, what if every piece of software out there required a dongle??? I would have a "dongle tower" sticking out of the back of my computer longer than John Holmes! :)

I am also not a fan of the way that Waves have resorted to, which is the challange/response method, since that piece of software cannot now be moved to another computer or hard drive without getting "permission" from Waves. That is "Big Brother" if I ever heard of it...

What about the way the Microsoft now certifies Windows XP??? What kind of crap is that???

As far as these guys (software developers) protecting their investment...I understand what goes into creating a complex piece of software, and it is not trivial. Even though most of us here on RO are respectable users, software piracy is a reality.

I am not sure I know the answer, nor am I sure that I know the best way to deal with this stuff...it is an issue, and I can see both sides of the coin.

Hey Guise - I see both sides of the coin too; unfortunately, both sides are coming out of MY pocket. My particular case: I now have a 8x8 midi interface I have had for several years (MidiEngine 8-port SE, by Music Quest, taken over by bozo's, then ignored, then dropped) So now, I need to replace it (drivers for 95, works in 98, end of story) I've been looking at the Unitor 8, etc, but everybody seems to be going to USB for midi interfaces. Couple use serial, MOTU apparently dropped their parallel version recently. So, now do I wait for "Logitude" to finalize so I know where I can live with a Midi interface, (not with the dongle) or what? I need at least an 8x8, + SMPTE, MTC, etc. - On a good day this sucks, and I can't remember the last "good day" - I'm just getting so fucking tired of there always being "just one more thing" to handle before being able to finalize studio wiring diagrams and actually get something done. Hold me, Daddy... (sounds of thumb-sucking fade in...)

waaah....waaah....where's my daddy! I'm hungry...I'm thirsty!! lmao!
Opus :D