..and therfore have no need to download it again because they haven't lost it - which was what I thought I was talking about?
Does the CD version serial unlock the DL trial version? I've never tried it (or my memory is failing :p).
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..and therfore have no need to download it again because they haven't lost it - which was what I thought I was talking about?
Does the CD version serial unlock the DL trial version? I've never tried it (or my memory is failing :p).
Yeah, right. I wish I could call software companies and ask them to sell me stuff on my terms. Xara does sell business packs in 5, 10, and 20 units, but reading the website, it is only a volume discount pricing scheme - you still get the same CDs. Which is great if you are a small company that needs exactly that many copies, but you still have the CD protection problem. Xara does not offer an enterprise licensing scheme.
If Xara wants to seriously enter the business market they need to meet the needs of the business market. Many post here about software changes that would enable Xara to better compete with Adobe. Well, copy protection is a deal breaker for many companies, so Xara wouldn't even be on the playing field.
Of course, the current scheme meets the needs of many that post here. Based on the comments I read, my guess is that many poster are individuals or have very small businesses, so installing from CD on 1 or 2 PCs is no big deal. I am offering a different perspective.
Having worked as a network administrator for more than 20 years and dealing with volume licenses I believe I can offer an experienced opinion.
Enterprise licenses are most common for software like Microsoft Office where hundreds or thousands of copies are required. Graphics software is usually purchased in small quantities.
One corporation had 15,000 licenses for Office, but only 10 licenses for Adobe Photoshop and 2 licenses for Adobe Illustrator.
Some software purchases were on copy protected media and corporations deal with that situation without making demands for non-protected media.
This isn't a fair statement. I believe you might be misrepresenting Company Grade Business Software. Copy Protection is serious business.
And I'm not talking Adobe or Corel applications available to all from retail shops and online shopping malls.
Specialised software for specialised industries use security HASPs/Dongles etc, and are what the real big boys use.
Yes, these businesses (large and small) use and HAVE to deal with these specialised software companies who use such copy protection measures to protect their intellectual property not just from piracy, but industrial theft.
I'm talking expensive software, some that costs thousands of dollars, literally.
Take the RIP software that is used with one brand of high-end wideformat printer (1.4m wide) as one example of 'copy protection'. The HASP is not the usual small device that fits the P/Port or USB, no, the 'dongle' is the entire $55,000 printer itself. No printer connected - ha! no software works.
Another example is CadLink SignLab and Gerber's Omega Composer, without the hardware dongle, no go. SignLab is not cheap vector design software.
Loose the dongle, pay for a new one.
SignShops all over the world pay many thousands of dollars over the years for their software, forking out for an extra copy of CorelDraw when a new PC is added to the network is lunch money. XaraXtreme is pocket change.
At the end of the day, when you buy XaraXtreme (or any other software) you only own the license to use it under the terms of their EULA, you don't own the software.
It did in the past Steve. I believe there are now 2 serial numbers (from what I've read) but provided you've purchased a copy then you can go on line, D/L the trial version and unlock it with the serial number supplied on the site.Quote:
Does the CD version serial unlock the DL trial version? I've never tried it (or my memory is failing ).
Tom, how many computers are you needing to copy XXP too that it becomes such a momentous task?
I have worked IT for companies with 20 to 300+ employees. This version of Xtreme is the first time in years that I've had to install software on multiple PCs via a CD. (Even Windows can be installed without CDs.)
I learned a long time ago that it is time consuming to install copy protected software, particularly disk based copy protection. And, as the IT person, if I have a choice, I chose the one that makes my life easier.
Also, I don't make an effort to store CDs. I don't need them. They take up space and, to prove valid licenses, the actual receipt or purchase order is typically required, not the CD.
Remember floppy drives? At one time they were on every PC. Now it is CD's turn to disappear. Not all my PCs have CD drives.
I am approaching this from an IT point of view. If I bought Xtreme for my personal use, I wouldn't have said a word.
No misrepresentation intended. I am speaking from my experience working with various US companies. I also know that, as an IT person, I will not buy disk-based copy protected software if I have a choice. I am not ranting against copy protection, just disk-based protection. Also, there is usually no choice when it comes to the very specialized software you've listed. Xara products are the type that are purchased retail, and there are choices.
I don't view Xtreme as specialty software suitable only for a specialized industry. Xtreme may be a great tool for your industry, but it is a great tool for almost every industry.
As an engineer, I see great value in Xtreme for business graphics and think it has the potential to become as ubiquitous as MS Power Point. Xtreme is not in the same league as AutoCAD, which is specialty software that costs several thousand dollars and used to require dongles. But, even they got rid of that form of copy protection.
Got to say what Tom says about disk-based copy protection makes sense to me
However I think it is further evidence of where the powers that be [magix] think xara should be pitched - I think this makes commercial sense - but its a pity....
I read this thread with interest as it has explained why when my XtremePro 4 cd arrived last week my dvd/cd drive would not even recognise a cd had been inserted. In the end I had to fit another cd drive to my pc to be able to install the software so I am not happy about that (the original drive still reads my other discs so it is not faulty) I have been using Xara products since I saw a pre release version of the original Xara at a computer trade show nearly 20 years ago but this may be my last purchase as imho the copy protection only inconveniences geniune purchasers not users of pirate software - they simply go to a 'file sharing' site and download cracked versions of whatever takes their fancy.
The full, non-trial DL version has always been time-limited in the past, telling you to install from CD when it expires. Is this not still the case?
In any case, the DL version has its own problems in that it requires internet activation. This wouldn't normally be a problem when the CD version was the preferred alternative, but now we have two different annoying encumberances to choose between.
Worse, from my POV, is that the change happened silently without informing us what we were in for. I did not expect Magix's consumer-software copy protection scheme to show up on this traditionally copy-protection-free product and it certainly impairs the value of the software for me.
Calm down folks - it's not as if you have to sacrifice your firstborn to install from the CD!
While moving between offices I've been clumsy with CDs in the past, and have lost or damaged them: twice I've contacted Xara for duplicate CDs. They arrived the next day both times and while I don't remember how much I paid, it was not more than £10 for replacements.
If making copies of the CD is so important to you, there are ways of doing it: I've no intention of trying it but a two-minute Google search turned up all the information you'd need.
Take care of your CD - print off a DVD case inlay and keep it in a DVD plastic case!