#speak out to PC Mag
22 messages in this thread
Bill Machrone has a regular column in PC Magazine called Second Looks and is
asking for
feedback as to what we love and hate about 3D Studio.
The thing I hate most has to be that hardware lock device. If you agree with me
please contact
Bill on CompuServe at 72241,15 and voice your opinion.
What follows is the letter I sent.
I am writing to you in reference to your column Second Looks and the Looking
Ahead portion about Autodesk 3D Studio.
I have been a user of 3D Studio since it first came out, I really enjoyed the
program at that time and it was lockless however when Autodesk introduced
version 2 it came with this hardware lock device by Rainbow Technologies that
plugs into the printer port.
This entire idea of hardware locks is ridiculous. We have a lock for 3D Studio,
a lock for Liquid Speed (a $295 program that enhances 3D Studio screen
displays) and another lock device for Pennello ( an ad on module for 3D
Studio)! That is 3 locks on the back of my computer for what amounts to one
program! If that wasn't bad enough I have to crawl under a desk, remove these
things and lock them up each night and take them out each morning. You see,
even though I 've paid my $3000 for this program, Autodesk has the nerve to
tell me in the doc's that if this lock device is lost or stolen it is just too
bad, I'll have to buy another program at the regular price. If it is damaged I
might be able to get it replaced but how many days of work do I lose waiting
for a replacement?
These lock devices are more than an inconvenience. How do I make a working
backup copy of my program when the program will not work without this lock?
During a time when software and hardware platforms are supposed to be getting
friendlier and more interchangeable, these locks prevent this from happening.
For example, you can not run your 3D Studio program on a Mac with a Dos board.
Has anyone seen a parallel port on a Macintosh lately? Even to do a backup you
have to remove the lock device.
Is any software protection really needed at all? Did Microsoft become the
largest software company in the world by using hardware locks on their
software? No! Autodesk's new Autocad 13 does not come with a lock device, and
it far outsells 3D Studio, does this mean that Autodesk trusts people that use
Cad programs but not Graphic or Animation artists?
Joe,
I'd like to address some of the points made in your letter re: 3DS and its
hardware lock.
<<This entire idea of hardware locks is ridiculous. . .even though I've paid my
$3000 for this program, Autodesk has the nerve to tell me in the doc's that if
this lock device is lost or stolen it is just too bad, I'll have to buy another
program at the regular price.>>
I believe Autodesk decided to include a hardware lock on V.2 and later versions
when company officials discovered pirated V.1 disks and photocopied manuals
selling on the streets of Hong Kong for about $25. The hardware lock, although
inconvenient, is an attempt to address the very real problem of piracy. If you
can come up with a better solution, we'd like to hear it. (Digimation, BTW,
offers a lockable box that attaches to the back of your computer and enables
you to link several hardware keys that run parallel to the back.)
One suggestion, of course, is to reduce the price of the software drastically,
so that users might have less incentive to pirate. However, please note that
pricing 3DS is an extremely complex issue, involving (in no particular order):
Autodesk's relationship with its dealer networks and their margins; the
perceived value of the software to end users and the CGI industry as a whole;
Autodesk's profit margins; the time and effort demanded of its developers vs.
their share of the profits, and, yes, what Autodesk believes the market for
this *niche* software will bear. (See my Microsoft comments below. With an
installed (legitimate) base of between 30,000-40,000 (I've read), Autodesk must
be doing something right.
I know the entire development staff for 3DS, and this is how they make their
living. (And no, they don't drive Ferrari's or light cigars with burning dollar
bills.) I've known the primary programmer, Tom Hudson, for almost 20 years and
consider him my best friend; when I meet someone who smirks and says that he's
running a cracked, pirated version of 3DS, it makes me want to punch the pirate
in the mouth. What *I* hear is, "I'm stealing mortgage and car payment money
from your best friend."
<<How do I make a working backup copy of my program when the program will not
work without this lock? …Even to do a backup you have to remove the lock
device.>>
You're contradicting yourself here. You should be able to make backup copies of
the disks without the hardware lock. You cannot, of course, then try to use
these disks to install and then run the software on another computer without
the lock (although you could do network rendering).
<<For example, you cannot run your 3D Studio program on a Mac with a Dos
board. Has anyone seen a parallel port on a Macintosh lately?>>
Since 3DS requires a math coprocessor, and Mac/DOS emulation largely omits FPU
functions, the point is moot — you probably couldn't run 3DS anyway. It's a PC
program; it's not intended to run on a Mac any more than a diesel car is
intended to run gasoline. Even if it were possible, the performance hit of
running 3DS under emulation would probably make it not worth the effort of
trying to run it on a Mac, lock or no lock.
<<Did Microsoft become the largest software company in the world by using
hardware locks on their software? No! Autodesk's new Autocad 13 does not come
with a lock device, and it far outsells 3D Studio, does this mean that Autodesk
trusts people that use Cad programs but not Graphic or Animation artists?>>
Microsoft, for well-documented economic, management and historical reasons, has
the luxury of selling both operating systems and almost indispensable apps
(spreadsheets, word processors) that the company can sell virtually as
commodity items at a relatively low price point, to a market of over 100
million PC owners worldwide.
Autocad and 3DS are, despite their market share, still niche items catering to
people with specialized needs; most users can justify the cost of this software
because they can make their living from it, and its purchase becomes a capital
expense. As far as your other observations, you'd have to ask someone at
Autodesk for their marketing strategy.
As for me, I think that I'll drop Bill a line telling him that I think 3DS is
way cool; after all, using it is how I earn my living.
— Jon Bell
3D Effects Director,
Acclaim Coin-Op
Jon:
Since we're relating personal issues, I'd like to add that I got one of those
unlocked version one copies, three years ago. It gave me my initiation into 3D
art and animation. Without it, I'd never have gotten started.
I went on to buy the package at full price, but I've never upgraded, and one of
the reasons is the hardware lock. I also work with a grahics maven who won't
buy 3D Studio and one of the reasons, again, is the hardware lock.
The moral, in my case at least, is: "pirated" software encourages growth of the
community and actually serves the publisher in a promotional role. Good
support, original documents, regular upgrades, etc., make legitimate copies
worth the investment.
Hardware locks, on the other hand, serve chiefly to keep the community small
and inconvenience legitimate customers. They also contribute to an atmosphere
of distrust and suspicion.
Here's one user who'll actually be sending a lot more money Autodesk's way when
they dump the lock.
Jim
[PMFJI]
The best thing to do too protect you self is to insure your dongle. This
protects you self in the case on theft or loss of the dongle. It have it
insured at 3,000 and if some thing happens too it you at least have it insured
a, and can be replaced.
Mike White [SDP]
Who did you get to underwrite this insurance? Please be specific! When I
asked my theft/fire/property insurance man about insurance rider for my dongal
he just stared at me for a minute then busted a gut laughing. <BG>
For those that would like a serious answer to this, here's what I found out.
You can get a fire/theft loss policy that insures for "replacement cost" loss
rather than depreciated value cost. This is what you should have. It is not
that much more expensive. Then, if the dongal gets damaged (fire) or lost
(stolen) you have a claim for the full $3000 amount. No rider should be
necessary. If you think you do need such a rider it will probably cost more
than $250 a year because custom written riders are just not generally done for
less than that due to the cost of writing such a custom policy. To reduce the
difficulty of validating your claim after the loss be sure to inventory the
dongal as $3000 and get your dealer to issue you a receipt stating the dongal
for 3DS ser# etc. as the purchased product. With these two documents you
should have no problem with any claim. BTW I received no help from Autodesk
when I researched this issue. There answer was to contact your insurance
agent. While I have not had a claim on the dongal I have had claims on other
losses of stolen software and this replacement cost insurance does work.
Thanks for explaining it clearer. Right now I have my system and software
insured through State Farm home insurance. The fee is120.00 a year.
I know it's a little more expensive, but it's worth it in the long run.
Mike
P.S
Thanks again.
Good points Jon. I just want to add one thing…
There were two reasons why Autodesk was forced to add the hardware lock
for 3DSr2:
1) Our overseas distributors couldn't prosecute the
companies who were pirating the software unless they
could prove in court that the software was hardware-
protected.
2) Our professional users were complaining about how
the snot-nosed kid down the street was competing
with them — using a pirated version of 3DS.
The bottom line is, we didn't have any choice. Our distributors were
threatening to stop distributing the product overseas, and our high-end
users were going insane over the fact that folks who didn't pay for
the product were competing with them on equal ground.
– G
PS: The actual installed base for 3DS is up to 50,000 units as of this month.
>>> 2) Our professional users were complaining about how
the snot-nosed kid down the street was competing
with them — using a pirated version of 3DS.
The bottom line is, we didn't have any choice. Our distributors were
threatening to stop distributing the product overseas, and our high-end
users were going insane over the fact that folks who didn't pay for
the product were competing with them on equal ground.<<<
That is one reason why the lock doesn't bother me. Another is that since I
installed it months ago, I haven't even thought of it. Although I empathize
with people who have problems with their hardware.
<<2) Our professional users were complaining about
how the snot-nosed kid down the street was competing
with them — using a pirated version of 3DS.>>
I don't really disagree with you. I guess. However….
Something troubles me about the idea that we compete with the "snot-noses"
not on the basis of offering a better product, but by locking away our
tools.
I probably feel this way because I'm a writer, and I can't put a "lock" on
the language.
Jim
<< 1) Our overseas distributors couldn't prosecute the companies who were
pirating the software unless they could prove in court that the software was
hardware-protected.
2) Our professional users were complaining about how the snot-nosed kid
down the street was competing with them — using a pirated version of 3DS.>>
But does a hardware lock prevent or even stop these situations from happening?
I'm sure that the snotty-nosed kid and the unscrupulous overseas company are
now just using a cracked pirated copy. The hardware lock doesn't affect them in
the slightest since they will always find a way around whatever measures you
install.
Instead the legitimate users, who buy the software, instead have to carry the
burden as many people have pointed out. I have installed my lock and since I
don't have to move it, it is just collecting dust, but for those that have to
handle many of them I can understand their concern.
But the bottom-line is, does the hardware lock prevent any of the points you
mentioned. Personally, I doubt it. Unscrupulous people are still going to get
the software, and there is not currently known protection method that is truely
effective. This is a major problem for the software community at large and
there is no easy solution. I personally feel that with everything taken into
consideration the hardware lock doesn't make any difference to the prevention
of distribution and use of illegal copies.
Instead the inclusion of good support and the detailed documents that come with
3DS are irreplacable, making a would be thief think twice since these things
can't be obtained anywhere else. This may have been the situation in the past
but it is becoming less and less of a reality.
Regarding the documentation, with all the books on 3DS now available(Inside 3DS
3 and 4, Tips and Tricks, etc) anyone with an illegal copy can buy a few good
books and get up to steam. So more and more of this detailed technical
information is available to those that want to circumvent the legitimate
purchasing channels. So the 3DS manuals now aren't as important to extracting
the last essence from the program.
Now regarding support. You often get messages from people asking for such
things as "How do I create a box or render a viewport?". It is obvious that
they don't have the documents, yet with on-line support they get all the
answers they need, and then some. This may be not some much the case here on
CompuServe but you've only got to visit the Internet to see that on-line
support for 3DS is very "hacker" oriented.
So in summary, there is nothing stopping someone from becoming quite proficient
with 3DS without ever actually buying a legitimate copy. This is the reality.
The question is, does a hardware lock prevent this? The answer is a saddening
no. I can understand the company concerns involved but has Autodesk really
stopped the number of hacked copies since the introduction of the lock? I doubt
it.
So in the face of reality will Autodesk continue to use hardware locks or will
they find a better method or will they concede that it really doesn't achieve
the purpose for which it was designed.
<<PS: The actual installed base for 3DS is up to 50,000 units as of this
month.>>
Congratulations, you guys must be proud.
DaviD "50,000 candles on a Yost-berry cake" GouID
I understand all of your points, but the issue I brought up about overseas
distributors not being able to prosecute manufacturers of pirated software
overseas without showing that the application is hardware-protected is an
overriding concern for our international distributors. There is a LAW in most
Asian countries that a company cannot be prosecuted for copying unprotected
software, and a third of Autodesk's sales are into that region. The whole thing
is pretty depressing, and since I have no control over any of it, frustrating
as well. Hang in there, and I assure you that at least we'll solve the problem
of multiple dongles for plug-ins with r5.
– G
<< I assure you that at least we'll solve the problem of multiple dongles for
plug-ins with r5.
Good news.
Ed
<< with everything taken into consideration the hardware lock doesn't make any
difference to the prevention of distribution and use of illegal copies.
although its possible for criminals to get around the locks I cant believe that
they make zero difference. In fact I know people who would be using 3ds if it
were unlocked. They are presently using illegal copies of other 3d programs.
Ed
<<although its possible for criminals to get around the locks I cant believe
that they make zero difference. In fact I know people who would be using 3ds if
it were unlocked. They are presently using illegal copies of other 3d programs.
>>
That may be the case, but if they happened to find themselves in Hong Kong and
someone offered them a photocopied manual and complete disks for $50, I don't
think they would hestitate. Afterall they do have the other illegal copies of
other programs.
It is very tricky problem to resolve but Gary did offer hope in his comments
about R5 and IPAS routines. But the biggest question is can the Yost Group keep
one step ahead of the hackers? I think that Windows NT will offer a greater
level of protection but for software fault tolerance but also validation.
We are headed into interesting times…
DaviD "Libre antenne" GouID
>>2) Our professional users were complaining about how
the snot-nosed kid down the street was competing
with them — using a pirated version of 3DS.
The bottom line is, we didn't have any choice. Our distributors were
threatening to stop distributing the product overseas, and our high-end
users were going insane over the fact that folks who didn't pay for
the product were competing with them on equal ground.
OK, Gary, you asked for it: So why did Autodesk adopt a policy granting
horrendous discounts to the very community that proliferates piracy in this
country? The "snot nosed kids" have blown the profitability out of the market
in the past year and have forced me and others to seek out other markets to
maintain income. Animation in my business has changed from 85% of my income in
'93 and '94 to under 20% so far in '95. The number of 3DS animation houses has
jumped from 3 to over a hundred in this area in that period. I would be
willing to bet that ADESK doesn't have that many registered 3DSers in this area
either. I do not begrudg the aggressive "snot-nosed" kids Autodesk has
supported with these horendous discounts. In fact, I admire most of them for
siezing upon an opportunity to take advantage of this support from a supplier.
But, as a businessperson I must always be evaluating the profitability of a
section of my business and when this section of my business can be done for 1/6
of the overhead by my competitors because of a vendor's (Autodesk) supply price
policy I have to switch gears here and tap this new market the best way I can.
The later part of '94 and this year has seen tremendous growth in business here
as I have been offering output service to many of these low overhead 3DS "snot
nosed" entrepreneurs. No, I'm not belly-aching about this as by switching how
I use 3DS as primarily an output service has actually allowed me to grow
financially. I just want you to see the view from a different perspective. ie
how Autodesk's pricing structure has done the same thing as what you tried to
prevent by using the hardware locks.
BTW: I use the term "snot nosed" as your reference as I actually have a great
deal of respect for them as they are mostly very talented, artistically, and,
by taking advantage of the Autodesk pricing policies have also proven their
business acumen.
Well…. you'll have to ask the Autodesk folks those questions. I have no
control of the marketing/sales issues.
– G
I knew that but was answering you points for their eyes too.
Take care and keep on target for 3DSNT!
Don
>>development staff for 3DS, … …they don't
>>drive Ferrari's or light cigars with burning dollar bills.
Hmm, I once saw Gary light a cigar with a burning *five* dollar bill…
Jim
You should've seen me light that stogie with a burning Ferrari…
– G
>>>a burning Ferrari…
Haha! That's *really* funny, cracked me up!
Jim
PS: What is Jonas Ruikas' CIS address? I need to request access from him, if
you recall…
I'll email it to ya.
– G
Joe,
I too have been a user of 3ds since version 1, and when I got my new version 2
with the lock I looked at it, followed the instructions, and have ever since
forgot that it is there. I don't think that the locks for this and other
related products cause as much of a problem as you represent. I make a living
by selling my work in 3DS, and am also in the business of selling software to
others.
I have been in the software industry for over 25 years and currently have a
_real_ job as VP of Asia/Pacific operations for a company that markets software
for the design of ASIC's and integrated circuits. Our software does not have a
dongle, but it does require a security code that is locked to the CPU that it
is installed on. You cannot move this software to another CPU without getting a
new security code. This is in fact more restrictive than the current 3DS
approach. If you wish to be able to use the same copy of the software on
multiple CPU's Please pay me 1.5x the base price, and this only enables you to
use the one copy on different CPU's not many CPU's with the same copy.
Following our pricing structure, you would have to pay list price for each
machine that would be used on the network (Don't get any ideas here Adesk,,,,)
If you ever travel to the China's and India's of the world you would see that
software piracy is rampant in these areas. I am sure that you would not be
happy if someone was using work that you had done and making a profit without
your knowledge. Autodesk does not have to allow the public to take advantage
of their hard work without proper compensation.
I for one do not have the slightest problem with the security features of 3DS,
and in fact find that they are very generous compared with other _high end_
software applications. If you have bought only one copy of MS windows and are
using it on multiple machines, then you are breaking the law. ( Imagine if
Microsoft had a goon squad to track down software pirates like the IRS! ) The
same is true for any other software used on multiple machines. How big would
microsoft be if everyone paid for each copy of OS or application that people
actually used.
Regards,
Tom Flannery