Stardock Now Using Activation... Just one more headache!

Published on November 28, 2005 By SuiteLife In Community

Hi all,
Well, Stardock has done it to us. Another company that is making us use the Internet to activate our legal software. First it was Microsoft, then Adobe, then Konfabulator (until at least Yahoo! brought them, now it's gone!) and now Stardock! I know there are others out there that agree with me. Activation is a headache! I legally buy all of my software and always worry about being able to still use it if the company goes under or if I can't get my ISP to keep my connection. (This has happen more than I like to admit.) Now Stardock is starting this and what's worst, they only allow Internet based activation.

The one thing I liked about Stardock software is that I could always depend on it installing without issues. Now I have to worry if my Internet connection is up, which on one of my machines it isn't, since it isn't connected to the Internet for security reasons, (no Windowblinds 5 for it....

.

Brad, please rethink this path Stardock is heading down. Please don't join the Activation bandwagon and punish the legal users that have made Stardock what it is.

This forum post on Konfabulator's forum even praised Stardock for not using Activation. Many agreed with the posting.

Also, I have found and article, I think I got it here that makes very good sense. I just can't find it now.

Will post later.

Comments (Page 2)

starkers

on Nov 30, 2005

I have no problem with the activation thing, nor have I ever been inconvenienced by it. I really can't see what all the fuss is about....if a legitimate customer has a problem with any registered product, Stardock is always more than willing to assist/resolve it.

I also feel comparing this to the Sony DRM debacle is way off base and totally unfair....unlike Sony, Stardock does NOT covertly install rootkits or irremovable software.

Phoon

on Dec 01, 2005

Okay, I have participated in these activaton threads on more than one occasion. I feel I have expressed my concerns in a polite manner. Now let me give you an actual example of why the activation process is mismanaged and will most likely lead to lost revenues for Stardock.

I own 2 copies of Multiplicity Pro. In the past, after a windows reinstall and/or pc replacement I have been unable to reactivate multiplicity without calling stardock support.

I have 2 systems that I will be replacing hard drives in and will need to do this once again. 2 days ago, I sent an email to stardock support asking that the activations be reset and the corresponding serials be emailed to me. (the serial number is different every time I have it emailed throught the lookup).
That email I sent to stardock support was 2 days ago and all I have received is a confirmation that they received it.

If I have to wait this long for activation, the product just isn't worth it to me.
It's a great product, but this process has made it too great of a frustration.
As I suggested before. You should have an online method of doing this which will achieve better results.

Frogboy

on Dec 01, 2005

Sorry guys but activation ain't going away.

In the past 5 minutes, 317 *different* people tried to warez WindowBlinds but were thwarted by Activation (the system logs activations and 317 people in the past 5 minutes from very different parts of the world were using the same email address and serial #).

The activation system is quite lenient. Most people don't even know about it.

Phoon: I am not sure the issue there. Email amarshall@stardock.com as she will want to know your experience. But why are you trying to get your activations reset anyway? The system is very tolerant (There's a lot of AI behind it) such that yuy should just be able to intall it on your new hard drives.

Phoon

on Dec 01, 2005

Brad,
I will send you both an email outlining the details of it all.

Thanks!

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