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Monday, November 27, 2006

EQ6 Upgrade...Activation Issues

I just received my EQ6 upgrade today. I was THRILLED until I read the following on page 8 of the manual:

"Please note: EQ6 software provides a total of 4 activations. Each Time you replace your current computer with a new one, activating EQ6 on the new computer will use one of your activations. For example, if Betty spends part of the year at her second home, installing EQ6 on the computers in both homes would use two activatiohs. If Betty's computer hard drive needs to be replaced, installing EQ6 on the new hard drive would also use an activation."

I have 2 computers that I use EQ on...i usually design on my laptop while watching TV at night and then email it to myself, load it onto my sewing room computer for actually making the quilt. I am NOT HAPPY about limited activations for a product that I spent money on without that knowledge. I'm not sure I would've upgraded if I had know that ahead of time.

I did write to the company about this and asked what they plan to do about it. I might have to look for a different desiging software program.

Anyone else upset about this?

Hugs
Laurie

9 comments:

The Calico Cat said...

I still design on scraps of paper... Not the best system.

Linda C said...

It doesn't bother me so much but I only have one computer and unless it crashes and I have to reinstall I'm okay with it. I know some on the Info EQ list are not happy on the brief bit that I scanned. They have their reasons for doing it--like selling it or copying it thus violating the TOS and copyright from what I understand. It might have been nice to have been told that up front--many with multiple computers, etc probably would have just stayed with 5 and not upgraded at all had they known? Maybe they DID state this but I missed it?

Kim West said...

This was stated (after a while of digging after seeing your post) on the FAQ page - come on - how many people who have used the program would really READ the FAQ page??? (it was not there a few days ago either) It does state in the system requirements NOW but I know it did not a few days ago. I am horribly upset about this. While they need to protect their software - this is NOT the way to do it. Even microsoft makes allowences for their OS activations. Seriously Bummed.

Patti said...

There has been a great deal of discussion about this on the Quiltropolis EQ list. Some people didn't upgrade for this very reason. I can certainly understand limiting the number of installs because there has been such a huge problem of people sharing their software, but it does seem like they could have done 5 or 6.

Unknown said...

I am quite upset about EQ's decision to market EQ6 in the way that they have.

Not only is this "4 activations" licensing scheme unheard of, as Linda_J said, it would be nice to be "told up front." The title of the product should be "4 activations for EQ6," not "EQ6."

I have been discussing it quite a bit lately and am linking discussions on my blog at http://techfettish.wordpress.com.

I hope I can find archives of some of these mailing lists, if anyone can supply me with copies of discussions regarding the activation policy, please visit my blog and leave an anonymous comment or email me at tekfetish@yahoo.com.

One final note: Most software does not allow for "concurrent" installations, meaning if you buy a copy of the program you are not supposed to install it on two PCs. Many people take advantage of companies that do not work to stop end-users from doing this.

EQ advertises that, unlike most software companies, they allow for four concurrent installations. That is great but a user can also end up in a situation where they have no installation and need to pay just to be able to use the software that they already purchased. While making themselves look good with the “concurrent installations,” they distract the user from the “limited activations” aspect.

I am outraged at the principal here. Many people complain about Microsoft's licensing practices but Microsoft looks GOOD compared to EQ.

-tek

Anonymous said...

I bought EQ6 a couple of years ago, and this new development outrages me, too. Some companies require you to insert the installation disk from time to time, or the program won't work. )I think my husband's OED or the Cambridge Dictionary does that.)

That seems to me a much better and fairer way of preventing piracy. A few close friends or relatives might get away with unlawfully sharing their EQ6, but those who made a business of selling pirated copies certainly couldn't keep sending the one true installation disk to all the people who bought a pirated copy, or are there some unknown technical issues involved that could make this method impractical?

Anonymous said...

If you have a computer-expert friend or relative, ask them to install Virtual Box and install EQ6 in that. It will help you avoid paying to activate if your computer crashes.

Anonymous said...

I am still on EQ5 but looking to upgrade to 6 not 7. I used to work for a Sewing machine dealer and have sold and purchased many software programs. I am sure if you run out of installations and call or email them with your explanation. ( I went through 3 hard drives in one year- long story not needed here).They will be able to give you additional installations. All of these companies want happy customers. They just need to protect there only source of income from being shared for free amongst the less honest consumer.

Anonymous said...

Their EQ7 policy makes it clear that they understand the problems with the EQ6 policy, even if the previous commenter does not.