That's not always true (ie. if you pay to see a rock concert, you don't own it) and likewise with software. Read the Eula's for any of the Windows OS's, or Mac OS(I'm assuming you have one since you have poser), or any other software. You're licensing it. All software companies do this, otherwise people can say "I paid for this software, I own it, therefore I can copy and resell it!"

"Am I willing to give them money for a program that I do not own? Answer: No F*cking way! " If this is what's causing you the problem, you should take a look at all Eula's. You don't actually "own" any software. you license it.

Attached Link: http://www.reiss-studio.com

Well there shouldn't be a "re-register" issue. But the patch will only work once you have registered Poser 5. It won't work on a Poser during the trial period. So people might have tried to install the patch over an unregistered Poser 5, and been forced to authorize while installing the patch. I've been told that the patch is much more stable than the original P5 release, and now tells you when an error is happening which is why people actually *SEE* an error dialog, as opposed to the app just crashing when something is wrong, after a while. with the error dialog popping-up, CL can now debug the problems much quicker for the *next* patch :) -J

You can run a python script which will uncompress all the content files, odds are if you're not sure what this means, then you haven't done it! cheers, -J

"The material shaders (and accompanying render engine) are technologies from Pixels Digital, actually." hmmn, that's not exactly true, the base engine is from pixels digital, but alot of the nodes, and the node interface came from CL. same with the cloth, licensing an engine is a lot different than creating an implementation around that engine in a product...

and xsi only costs thousands more? cool! :) also, all dynamic cloth does simulation including XSI's and Maya's cheers! -J

"Just remember, everyone. No matter how many problems P5 might have, Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor was much, much worse. " LOL, went through that one myself. could have been a great game if it didn't destroy your hard drive when you uninstalled. there's a great option for software... the "you can never uninstall me" option. :)

"The customer is always right" is still the paradigm that most successful companies adhere to. Simple advice: fix the software so we can all use the product...please! -Lapis Hi Lapis! CL is already working on the patch, I know that I've already been in touch with them about a few things I'd like to see improved in the face room. cheers! -J "they took our money and ran.-" lol, not true... they're going to get a patch out damned fast. I know companies that go months without putting out a patch, and CL's jumped right on it.

Talisman, when I tried to fill in the form for support on the website, it doesn't seem to allow you to send the form without the required fields (namely RAM, HD, Video, etc.) here's the auromated response directly from the web page. here's the automated response: You failed to fill in the form correctly "Operating Systems" is a required field, please write something into that field. "Your computer specs (RAM, HD, Video, peripherals)" is a required field, please write something into that field. "Poser or Avatar Lab Serial Number" is a required field, please write something into that field. "Subject" is a required field, please write something into that field. you said that you first filled out this form without entering the hardware field, when I tried this it wouldn't let me submit at all. did you send an e-mail directly to the support person?

And again, I think it's really unfair to say that Steve's "not responding" when it's 2am here in the states

Attached Link: See The Thread With Kupa's actuall comments Here

WiNC, I'm not disputing your definition of conjunction, just what you believe it's working in conjunction with (ie. it work in conjunction with the protection, not the activation) luckily the posts are all here on the linked thread, and people can cleary see that cooper is responding to your request for a Dongle instead of the intrusive activation.

PS. just for the record, winc, the "security technique" that would be used in "conjunction" with a dongle could be the tricks/method they use to protect the software, NOT the activation system. this would mean that the dongle could replace the activation system to work in conjunction with the security. Not you're interpretation of it working in conjunction with an activation system. Once again, I'm just trying to be reasonable, and point out where you (might) have jumped to a conclusion about what kupa said. Give the guy a little credit for responding to you in the first place, no?

"I have asked for confirmation and have not seen any from Steve (and my confirmation happened pretty much right after her made the first reply). " Har, winc, You've got to remember, your post came in at night here in the US. even though steve posted to your reply, he might have done that and then gone home, ir just turned in for the night. I've already said that I think the present security system works great for a LOT of people, and that you have some good points why it might not be good for ALL people. I also thought that it was a good suggeation to add a dongle option. Especially for those who are not able to get to the internet, or want better reassurance and are ready to help with the extra $30-$40 that it could cost to make the dongle. I completely think you're off the deep end for reading so much into what was a quick nighttime response from the President of a Company! Good greif. Try looking for Bill Gates online responding to users concerns. Don't you think it's a little hasty to jump on him for what you think he meant by one word, when he's probably asleep in bed by now? please, I think as a community there's a lot of good people here who can work together. Show me that I'm right. I've got a lot of fun tools that I'd love to develop for people here. thanks! -Josh

Attached Link: http://www.renderosity.com/messages.ez?ForumID=12356&Form.ShowMessage=867259&Start=1

um, I've included the ONLY quote made from Kupa on the topic of Dongles. WiNC had some great points in the original thread, and had a great idea that Hardware Dongles could be a great alternative for people WHO WANTED THEM AS AN OPTION. Kupa only gave one breif reply in response in the linked thread: "Our security technique actually should allow a portable, permanent, hardware dongle to be used in conjunction with the existing system. We are exploring this option and should have better details shortly. Steve Cooper Curious Labs" Draw your own conclusion, but here I'm pretty sure that they mean that a hardware dongle would allow the same protection scheme without the activation. Not be an Added Burden!!!! from this ONE post I don't know how wince jumped to his conclusion about how it will be implemented... here's winc's original response to the above message: "Steve, Do you mean in conjunction meaning that you will be still require people to register with you and still request activation code from your company - or do you mean that it will be a alterative for those who wish to use your product and therefore not have to go through all the issues with activation codes, and 'forced' registration? I hope you mean the later :) I look forward to your response :) " Since there are no other responses from CL, It's funny to see people saying that CL is giong to force them to use a dongle!! lol

LOL, yeah maybe the break-cd wasn't the best :) but the point is.. it is a problem! just wanted to point out that problems can crop up in all schemes (not saying that some arn't more fraught than others). "As for doing a new thread... I can all but try - but I think CL just ignores me hoping I will diappear and give up :)" lol, yeah sometimes criticism feels like an attack... sooo what in the early messages could possibly seem like an attack! (playing innocent) :) It's always a challenge for all of us in a community to work to a solution together, and we're looking at this thread for our own software. I think a good thread with a positive spin towards a solution of a hardware dongle would be a very cool thing. Let them know that it's wanted, and how much you'd be willing to cover the x-tra cost. I'm looking forward to the conversation! best, -Josh