It's not their software to fix.

This has already happened once to users of a certain DVD copy program. One
day, their paid-for product ceased to install if I remember correctly
because the company shut down.

When you think about it, this is REALLY serious with people spending
thousands on downloaded music.

If it ever happened, even ONCE, the ripple through the music download
industry would be tidal-wave in effect.

I think we will see it happen eventually.

And Microsoft still hasn't officially stated what they are going to do with
XP activations when it goes off support.

-Larry

"Andi Cole" <andi (AT) eloc00 (DOT) co.uk> wrote

none (AT) none (DOT) com (Larry) wrote:

I absolutely agree it's a nasty system. But what's the choice here and
now? We either don't buy the software and miss the fun, or we swallow the
bitter pill.

I'm too old to sit and wait for an ideal world. :-)

Andrew McP

naman (AT) nospam (DOT) pacbell.net (Mitch_A) wrote:

Not strictly true. The registry backup only works if your hardware stays
the same. Any changes and Starforce has to re-authenticate.

Andrew McP

Ditto for the rFactor trick. I had to re-activate after my computer
upgrade.

-Larry

"Andrew MacPherson" <andrew.mcp (AT) DELETETHISdsl (DOT) pipex.com> wrote

It will be fine until it hits something popular. Then the proverbial shit
is gonna hit the fan for everyone that uses it.

It will happen, and I think it will be good for consumers when it does.
Congress will meet. Senators will discuss over beer. Laws will be written
protecting the consumer.

It will all finally be out in the open.

Just think what would happen if you woke up to a news story tomorrow morning
that stated "Apple closes iTunes. Purchased music can no longer
authenticate".

It won't happen to iTunes, but I hear that some of the music 'stores' ain't
doing so hot right now.

This is also why I think, eventually, it's gonna be a subscription thing,
plain and simple. For better or worse.

I know if iTunes were to start a subscription service I would drop
YahooMusic and their pathetic music software in a heartbeat.

-Larry

"Andrew MacPherson" <andrew.mcp (AT) DELETETHISdsl (DOT) pipex.com> wrote

spam (AT) off (DOT) invalid (Sean Cousins) wrote:

Good point. I was going to buy a CD version as well, but the online cost
is now so low I'm finding it hard to part with the extra cash. :-)

However I trust ED enough to think they'd find a way to patch SF out of
the sim before turning out the lights, if they (or SF) ever close. Famous
last words though!

Andrew McP

Larry wrote:

Somehow I find no comfort in this at all. Seldom does Congress do
anything that doesn't end up with the average guy taking it up the ass.


Don McCorkle
www.lp.org

I was being quite sarcastic

-Larry

"Woodie83" <dSPAMmccorkle (AT) comSPAMcast (DOT) net> wrote

No, but if theres a chance of 'controlling' yet another part of a PC then
I'm sure Microsoft would buy Starforce then make it a standard part of Windows.

Andi.

"Larry" <none (AT) none (DOT) com> wrote

I agree 100%.

You know, within reason I don't even care if it has DRM, so long as it's DRM
that is not company or device specific, and is run through a clearinghouse
that ALL resellers of music must use. That way there's no problem with
companies going out of business, etc...

Actually, screw DRM. We don't need it

-Larry

"Uwe Schürkamp" <hoover (AT) hoover (DOT) dyndns.org> wrote