Rant On

So, just had my first Poser11.2 hissy fit because it couldn't phone home to validate. It obviously phoned home when I connected to the 'net to install the 11.2 update less than 3 weeks ago, so why doesn't the licence check last longer?

I have no intention of having my PC connected to the 'net unless I want it to or it really, really has to, but less than 3 weeks? Sort that out Bondware! The cynical me might think you want Poser connected 24-7 to link with the store but that wouldn't be real, surely.

Better still, get rid of the bloody thing. If ZBrush (which also requires online activation) can manage without periodic checks then I'm pretty sure P11 can.

Thanks.

Rant Off

the software will do a check for the server every 28 days. This is true. The only way to change that is to submit a ticket HERE and request a longer activation period be allowed.

I need it to be permanent. Will they let me do that?

Ok this is a real hassle !!! Poser up to Poser 11.1 there was no need for a Periodic licence check and now it does ... that sure is no Positive news as there are allot of Professionals that run there Programs on offline computers , and there are good reasons for some that they can not afford having there work machines on the net. These Machines are more Stable and have more resources.

As for me it is a good enough reason not to update to the Bondware version until this is fixed .... alternatively have to organize a medicine for it even if you have a legal licence. It sure is a conflict pushing things into a direction that one has to find an alternate way to avoid a call home and basically got to find a Keygen that blocks the feature !!!! I think that Programers deserve support for there development but if it leads to absolute controll I'm out until it is fixed.

I think after a Internet activation there would not be any further need to check on the machine and who knows how deep they do at the end even start collecting lists of run-time content and the habits of the User. It already has started by connecting the Library with the store and direct install ... I think all this can make a Program very vulnerable against attacks.

Also considering the fact that for example a Cr2 could have a built in Virus that a antivirus is not checking and the direct access to the Library in the Net is a really baad Idea .. rendo would have to make random security updates as you also are always connected with the store.

gate posted at 3:37PM Fri, 04 October 2019 - #4365589

Also considering the fact that for example a Cr2 could have a built in Virus that a antivirus is not checking and the direct access to the Library in the Net is a really baad Idea .. rendo would have to make random security updates as you also are always connected with the store.

Another bad thing: Python scripts able to do anything they like with the machine. No updates here until Poser works on stand-alone machines. I'm actually busy looking for alternate Workflows without Poser.

Python scripts have always been able to do anything they like ( as long as something like the UAC did not get in their way ) And the way CR2's work has not changed - so the problems you are complaining about are inherent to poser, just as java can do it anything it likes and so DS has the same issues. It is up to you guys to test your products as we do to ensure that you are not getting any kind of virus.

Sure. That's the reason why my workstations with Poser aren't connected to the internet.

I too do not connect to the Internet with my computer used for graphics. It is more than aggravating to have to connect that machine to the Internet so Poser can verify the S#. The initial use of Poser should suffice for the verification process.

What the heck can change with the program after the initial verification?

So, I would like for someone to explain the rationale for the subsequent verification processes. No other program I use ever does this.

Also, I would never use the direct purchase from the library--in my estimation, another bad idea...

one man's meat is another man's poison. If you don't like the direct purchase feature, you are not forced to use it. Some people want this feature, and some do not, that's why you CHOOSE whether to use it or not. YOU are in charge of what you search - whether it be online or local.

structure posted at 2:03PM Sat, 05 October 2019 - #4366016

one man's meat is another man's poison. If you don't like the direct purchase feature, you are not forced to use it. Some people want this feature, and some do not, that's why you CHOOSE whether to use it or not. YOU are in charge of what you search - whether it be online or local.

Yup, you are so right, and that's why I deleted all those links...

Since you were so quick to reply about those store library links and apparently someone who has some "authority" regarding PP11.2, perhaps you would be so kind as to also explain why Poser needs to be authorized on a regular basis...

The decision to continue with the phone home licence was made above my pay grade

However I have to imagine that moving from that licensing model is significantly more difficult than was first thought.

I am unsure of whether this will continue in future versions but, in the short period of time that bondware has had to fix issues. The licence had to be ported with as little disruption to the user base as possible, and while there were some hiccups, that goal was mostly realized.

Very happy to say that I was able to get my subscription/activation for PP11.2 extended. I submitted a ticket to Support--very quick response too :) So for the time being, using Poser won't be such a hassle. So, if anyone else has an issue with this activation process, do contact Support.

FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I posted this thread on the 2nd of October. Today is the 11th. Once again the 'Unable to contact licence server' popup has come up.

That's 9 days. Not even the 4 weeks that's been touted about as how often it phones home. This is a poxy joke. Either make it permanent (not a ticket to extend the time it takes to phone home again) or at least make it maybe 6 months.

Really not impressed.

raven posted at 3:37PM Fri, 11 October 2019 - #4366754

FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I posted this thread on the 2nd of October. Today is the 11th. Once again the 'Unable to contact licence server' popup has come up.

That's 9 days. Not even the 4 weeks that's been touted about as how often it phones home. This is a poxy joke. Either make it permanent (not a ticket to extend the time it takes to phone home again) or at least make it maybe 6 months.

Really not impressed.

Have you submitted this problem to support? They took care of my problem very quickly...my extension is for one year, which I consider a fair compromise which I can live with.

goldie posted at 11:45AM Tue, 15 October 2019 - #4366007

What the heck can change with the program after the initial verification?
So, I would like for someone to explain the rationale for the subsequent verification processes. No other program I use ever does this. Also, I would never use the direct purchase from the library--in my estimation, another bad idea...

DISCLAIMER: I am not associated with Bondware or Smith Micro. I have no direct knowledge of their motivations or rationales. However, I did work in software development for many years, so my comments below are based on that experience.

Bondware probably wants to use Internet Activation to prevent your small graphics company from buying one copy of the software and then running it on 5 machines (or more) at the same time.

As for "no other program [you] use" doing this, I can only assume you're not using the Adobe Suite? Photoshop and InDesign (I use them every day) both perform routine checks on the license. If you use any Adobe products, then you are already doing the checks. (Am I right in guessing you use open source tools like GiMP or some other image editor?)

I do hope you'll be able to get them to extend you to a one-year period between activations (and you did reboot your computer after they made the change, right?). I think that's pretty cool of them, to be honest.

As for you not using the direct purchase from the Library... well, I can't see using that feature much, either. But that doesn't mean I might not at some point in the future. Having features I don't use doesn't bother me much. I just ignore them.

mmitchell_houston posted at 2:09PM Tue, 15 October 2019 - #4367188

goldie posted at 11:45AM Tue, 15 October 2019 - #4366007

What the heck can change with the program after the initial verification?
So, I would like for someone to explain the rationale for the subsequent verification processes. No other program I use ever does this. Also, I would never use the direct purchase from the library--in my estimation, another bad idea...

DISCLAIMER: I am not associated with Bondware or Smith Micro. I have no direct knowledge of their motivations or rationales. However, I did work in software development for many years, so my comments below are based on that experience.

Bondware probably wants to use Internet Activation to prevent your small graphics company from buying one copy of the software and then running it on 5 machines (or more) at the same time.

As for "no other program [you] use" doing this, I can only assume you're not using the Adobe Suite? Photoshop and InDesign (I use them every day) both perform routine checks on the license. If you use any Adobe products, then you are already doing the checks. (Am I right in guessing you use open source tools like GiMP or some other image editor?)

I do hope you'll be able to get them to extend you to a one-year period between activations (and you did reboot your computer after they made the change, right?). I think that's pretty cool of them, to be honest.

As for you not using the direct purchase from the Library... well, I can't see using that feature much, either. But that doesn't mean I might not at some point in the future. Having features I don't use doesn't bother me much. I just ignore them.

Goodness, if you are going to address someone's comment, do try to make it to the latest comment made (by me)...NB: my PP 11.2 license was extended, and, no, I don't use nor intend to use the latest Adobe products that are "cloud" connected...I use Photoshop CS6 which is just fine for my purposes..."new" is not always better or necessary...you should not assumed so much.

Thanks goldie, I will have to do that, a year is definitely a more reasonable timeframe! :)

mmitchell_houston - Each install requires a call home to activate it. Fair enough, I don't mind the occasional one-off necessity to put my main machine online for registering software. But why the need to keep checking it? It seems to be checking a lot more frequently than when SM had it (that was 6 monthly I believe). As for Adobe software, well you subscribe to it, it's a different situation. Poser is supposedly a one-off purchase, not a lease (although with these more frequent checks, who knows how Bondware will continue moving forward). As I said before, ZBrush also requires online activation, but doesn't cry and throw a fit if I've not been online for months (let alone a couple of weeks).

I too also use CS6, purely because it doesn't phone home. I'm not a power user by any means so the newest/latest greatest things in PS aren't really needed by me.

Well, PP11 won't run, it says I've activated it too many time. I have not. I'm not going to fuss it with it anymore. I have versions 7, 8, PP2010, PP2012 and PP2014, as well as 11. I have spent enough on it. I Shall not upgrade or pay for any further versions of Poser. I can use PP2010 and 14 for anything I want to produce. Poser needs to be careful or it could sophisticate itself out of existence.

Jo - the update (Download Here) is free to P11, P11 pro, and PP2014 GameDev users

Ok, will go there. Ty, again, structure

That worked , big smile.