Quote - look, im not saying you shouldnt be careful on the net. your security procedures are none of my business.

All I am saying is that you MUST connect some computer to the net at some point to even get any of our stuff.... and that regardless of how or when you connect, if you buy something, it must be downloaded.

The "offline machine" point is moot.

No matter what method we choose to distribute our content, you will be connecting to DL it... after which you can check it, quarantine it, back it up or make pancakes for it! 

The only question is this. Will studio "know" which content has an update waiting online for you and tell you... giving you the option of a one button click download and install to the location indicated in your prefs*... or will you insist on the masochistic punishment of the current download and install process.

I will always vote for less work and more art time

 

*Hypothetical process. actual process may vary

...the standalone workstation is far from moot. Files and application updates can be downloaded to a net capable system (like my notebook) and transferred via flash drive. The only time an offline system would need to be connected is to initially register software after installation. Once that is done, there is no further need for a link to the Net.

It's not "masocshistic", it's being careful about protecting my investment.  I've already been hit with a virus that piggybacked on an auto-update, it was no fun to deal with. Hence I have disabled all auto update funtions.

Only if the software goes totally cloud based would a permanent net connection be requried.  When that is the only way to do 3D CG, then I am through. Even the best anti-virus/anti-intrusion suites/software are not 100% infallible, and as to leaving my personal work on someone else's server, I think not.  There has already been a major art theft situation on one popular gallery site so nothing connected to the net is "bulletproof".

Furthermore, being online diverts processor and memory resoruces away from more relevant CG tasks.

Only a standalone system is fully secure, as someone would have to break into my flat to gain access.

...and then they'd get to meet "Mr. Louisville" up close and personal.

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...forsaken daughter is watching you.

[Intel Xeon 5660 Hyperthreading 6 core CPU, 24GB GSkill Ripjaws 1333 DDR3 Tri Channel RAM, Nvidia Titan-X GPU with 12GB GDDR5 & 3072 cores, 1 x AData 240 GB SSD (boot) + 1 x 2TB HDD, EGVA 850 G5 PSU Antec P-193 with more fans than Justin Bieber.]