iLOK Redesign Idea

[M-ManLA]

http://protools.ideascale.com/akira/dtd/13062-3779

Let me know what you guys think. If you are in the group rate the idea.

http://www.ideascale.com//userimages...Views-copy.jpg

[M-ManLA]

I actually like the iLOK. I can take my programs on any computer. It has saved me a couple of times too.

[Premo]

Originally Posted by Benoni

I say we just get rid of Ilok. It only hurts paying users. Every program that is Ilok only is avilible for free on the net on any warez site. Ilok does not work and hurt people like me and you who actully pay for our software.

I say the exact opposite is true. ILok protects all software developers, not just
digi' so they don't see their software stolen overnight. While the uniloked software is what is mainly floating around the internetz.
Thus, keeping your expensive software worth something and your DAW or manufacture in business to provide support and make updated versions.

I have over 10 iloks and the only 1 that has failed in years is from me kicking it and I RMA'd it through ilok.com, then DIGI CS provided (same day) temp licenses and was back up and running until my original ilok licenses were recovered. No, I didn't have 'zero downtime' or anything like that.

Mob style business? Well, lots of companies use a usb key for protection not just Digi.

I'd much rather have my simple ilok plugged in than type in a serial code for over 50 different plug-ins that are on my machine on every partition or user account. That would SUCK. (I use a usb dongle extender that came with my mbox2 micro to hide it under my mac) I always hate digging through my gmail to find software receipts for each program that I individually have install and manually auth. Ilok kicks ass in this regard IMO.

It definitely could be redesigned, but as far as copy protection goes i don't see what the big deal is against it. For me, the individual musician, it just works.

For schools or other scenarios where theft could be a problem then it probably doesn't help anything.


But back to the topic at hand! > YES if it was more convenient, smaller or redesigned that would be cool and I like the idea.

[danander11]

For my part, I would ask why you would wnat to reinvent the wheel?

Most folks eithr don't like the iLok altogether or they don't care. I'm somewhere in the middle.

I have over 100 individual licenses on mine and would hate to lose it.

Buying a USB port card with an internal port or routing a cable back into the case is the best solution for me.

[flommer]

Originally Posted by M-ManLA

http://protools.ideascale.com/akira/dtd/13062-3779

Let me know what you guys think. If you are in the group rate the idea.

http://www.ideascale.com//userimages...Views-copy.jpg

I thought that looked like any other generic USB flash drive..

I was expecting something......


Rounder

[flommer]

For schools or other scenarios where theft could be a problem then it probably doesn't help anything.

Best Idea I've seen for this is to use a wireless USB hub, and lock it up somewhere in a closet. Someone in the HD forum posted this and said that it worked fine for them..

Someone else pointed out installing it internally to the computer, but that still sounds more vulnerable..

[Bender]

"The argument that if a program is free for an illegal download then everyone will do it, the facts just dont show that, the people downloading from file sharing sites either cant afford to buy the software, so no one is losing out on a sale, or, wouldnt buy the program even if they had ten million dollars, so again there was no sale lost. The idea that hackers or crackers (no im not refering to white people) are what is driving up software prices is easily debunked. "

This is simply not true.
So because they will steal anyway there should be no protection.
I never heard of any of those places where the cracked software is. You sure seem to know a lot about it.

"Just wait until that little Ilok gets corrupt or shorts out. After that, then you will see how that company is doing Mob style business"

I had one issue since the inception of the iLok and it was resolved fast and painless. Mob style is a serious charge. Give me some examples. Not just some terms of service but mob style practices.

It has made my work much smoother. I am sorry to hear you have had such bad service and criminal style support

[Duardo]

The argument that if a program is free for an illegal download then everyone will do it, the facts just dont show that, the people downloading from file sharing sites either cant afford to buy the software, so no one is losing out on a sale, or, wouldnt buy the program even if they had ten million dollars, so again there was no sale lost.

One of the main reasons Digidesign moved to the iLok in the first place is because of the amount of cracked plugins that were being used on Mix systems. It's fairly safe to assume that most people that were able to drop the cash on a TDM system would be able to pay for at least some of the plugins that they were using...but they still chose not to. The iLok hasn't fixed the problem but it has certainly made it harder...

[TOM@METRO]

Originally Posted by Duardo

One of the main reasons Digidesign moved to the iLok in the first place is because of the amount of cracked plugins that were being used on Mix systems. It's fairly safe to assume that most people that were able to drop the cash on a TDM system would be able to pay for at least some of the plugins that they were using...but they still chose not to. The iLok hasn't fixed the problem but it has certainly made it harder...

While actually making it easier on us by not having to re-authorize all of those plug-ins each time we upgrade hardware. Saving hundreds of dollars in studio time each year..

[M-ManLA]

Originally Posted by Benoni

Just wait until that little Ilok gets corrupt or shorts out. After that, then you will see how that company is doing Mob style business. Digidesign could not get away with treating customers like that, because they actually sell a product, and consumers are protected, but since Ilok is not selling you the actual software they dont have to promise anything, its a loop hole that Digi need to stop using.

Could be a bad PSU in your PC. It is a piece of electronic. It could happen. If you are doing big business, the I don't see the problem. Digi (or more accurately, Avid), is the top company for a reason. Also, they do not own Pace. They are simply a partner. and that is why you pay $30 a year for protection. Just like insurance on your car. Just do it and when it comes to it you're protected.

Originally Posted by Premo

I say the exact opposite is true. ILok protects all software developers, not just
digi' so they don't see their software stolen overnight. While the uniloked software is what is mainly floating around the internetz.
Thus, keeping your expensive software worth something and your DAW or manufacture in business to provide support and make updated versions.

I have over 10 iloks and the only 1 that has failed in years is from me kicking it and I RMA'd it through ilok.com, then DIGI CS provided (same day) temp licenses and was back up and running until my original ilok licenses were recovered. No, I didn't have 'zero downtime' or anything like that.

Mob style business? Well, lots of companies use a usb key for protection not just Digi.

I'd much rather have my simple ilok plugged in than type in a serial code for over 50 different plug-ins that are on my machine on every partition or user account. That would SUCK. (I use a usb dongle extender that came with my mbox2 micro to hide it under my mac) I always hate digging through my gmail to find software receipts for each program that I individually have install and manually auth. Ilok kicks ass in this regard IMO.

It definitely could be redesigned, but as far as copy protection goes i don't see what the big deal is against it. For me, the individual musician, it just works.

For schools or other scenarios where theft could be a problem then it probably doesn't help anything.


But back to the topic at hand! > YES if it was more convenient, smaller or redesigned that would be cool and I like the idea.

Thank you Premo for actually reading the post and thanks for the feedback. You are right and the iLok just works without having to deal with serial and code numbers and such. I just said a redesign to be sold ALONGSIDE the original. Nothing else, no new functions, just like going from a ICON D-Control to a ICON D-Control ES. Nothing really new except cosmetic (that is where I got the colors too).

Originally Posted by danander11

For my part, I would ask why you would wnat to reinvent the wheel?

Most folks eithr don't like the iLok altogether or they don't care. I'm somewhere in the middle.

I have over 100 individual licenses on mine and would hate to lose it.

Buying a USB port card with an internal port or routing a cable back into the case is the best solution for me.

I am not reinventing the wheel, I am just putting out a version 2 of it. As far as not caring about the iLOK, that is not true when most Pro Audio software supports it. And the Internal port works for a lot of people.

Originally Posted by flommer

I thought that looked like any other generic USB flash drive..

I was expecting something......


Rounder

Sorry lol. This is a concept though. Not like it will be released tomorrow.

Originally Posted by Benoni

Sorry Premo, but iLok "protected" software is out there on pirate sites too, pretty much everything is cracked, and if its not there are actually Hacker teams devoted to cracking music production software, and what ever the program is, it will be cracked and distributed through all the .rar and torrent download sites. Everything from Digi has been cracked and pretty much everything from Waves. So I really dont see how it is protecting anything. The argument that if a program is free for an illegal download then everyone will do it, the facts just dont show that, the people downloading from file sharing sites either cant afford to buy the software, so no one is losing out on a sale, or, wouldnt buy the program even if they had ten million dollars, so again there was no sale lost. The idea that hackers or crackers (no im not refering to white people) are what is driving up software prices is easily debunked.

The redesigned Ilok needs to be smaller, so its less likely to be bumped.

If you are a million dollar studio owner will you be getting cracked software that can be unreliable? What if your client have certain features that is only achieve by downloading it? I done it before and I will never do it again. Paying for it and not having the headaches of cracked software and downloading Trojans and viruses, as well as having someone in India downloading my content from my drive, using up my data that I pay for and slowing my internet connection down is enough reason for me to buy it. And my clients get a smooth session not worried about me having unreliable software.

Originally Posted by flommer

Best Idea I've seen for this is to use a wireless USB hub, and lock it up somewhere in a closet. Someone in the HD forum posted this and said that it worked fine for them..

Someone else pointed out installing it internally to the computer, but that still sounds more vulnerable..

That is cool since your don't need to be transferring info from the hub.