#TGAs to Tape
19 messages in this thread
> So once you have rendered all your stuff to TGA files, how do you get it on
to tape? I understand that you can render direct to tape, but I want to keep
the files around. Do you run those TGA though Video Post and a VTR controller?
I must admit I know nothong about rendering. I know a little about rendering
to tape.
With TAPEDISK you can render to tape and simultaneously "keep the files
around."
Ralph Shnelvar
President
TAPEDISK Corporation
Ralph:
>> Ralph Shnelvar
>> President
>> TAPEDISK Corporation
Saw your posting here, and had a question. Someone here who owns your product
stated that your program writes a machine and/or serial number out to the tape,
and that if it isn't the right number on playback, it destroys the data on the
tape?!?
I was interested in purchasing your product, but need a serious clarification
on what appears to be a pretty violent copy protection scheme!
Thank you for your response,
Greg Pyros gpyros@pyros.com
> Saw your posting here, and had a question. Someone here who owns your
product stated that your program writes a machine and/or serial number out to
the tape, and that if it isn't the right number on playback, it destroys the
data on the tape?!?
Absolutely not. We posted some questions on DDJFORUM asking what the
consequences of such an action would be and were quickly disabused of the
notion.
It turns out that it is illegal in many countries. In the U.S., it would
probably expose us to vast lawsuits.
We use a different copy protection scheme.
> I was interested in purchasing your product, but need a serious clarification
on what appears to be a pretty violent copy protection scheme!
"Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent."
Ralph Shnelvar
President
TAPEDISK Corporation
Ralph,
This confusion is my fault. Perhaps I misunderstood the following warning
listed in full caps at least twice in your product's User Manual:
"Warning, the Tapedisk software has _defensive_ (emphasis added) code that
monitors usage and detects, in time, violations of the software licence.
Failure to follow the license may result in a _lockout_ (emphasis added) to the
tapes written in violation of this license. Information recorded on these
tapes may be used as evidence of a violation of the licence statement and as
proof of violation of our copyrights."
Please understand that I have NO INTENTION of violating the licence agreement,
but I would like some clarification on the terms _defensive_ and _lockout_.
This is the terminology that has caused my confusion.
Many folks on this forum are touchy about esoteric protection schemes, having
been biten by them at least once (though legitimate use of the software). To
me, any system that causes my data to become "locked out" is potentially
dangerous.
I realize that explicit instructions are provided in the manual regarding how
to aviod such a catastrophe when moving the software to another machine. But,
I think if you could clarify on my questions above, it would be most helpful to
anyone who may have read my mention of the protection scheme in prior threads.
— James — Choreo Motion —
PS: I _do_ think Tapedisk is a great product and I look forward to the NT
upgrade.
I'll answer this for Ralph.
Absolutely noone has been bitten by this since product introduction (April '93)
through legitimate use of the software. We do get calls from time to time from
users that have violated our copyrights (license agreement). After a few
minutes of disucssion they fess up to the fact that they have lifted a copy of
the software. The fact that we gather evidence of the violation quickly cools
even the hotest of tempers. Especialy when they realize that they face
possible legal action.
The original design goal of the transaction loging was for data integrity and
data recovery (should you experience media failure or other error). In most
cases we can recover your data from these types of problems. In one of our
failures to recover data the tape was damaged by a tape jamb in the drive. The
tape was streched past the point of breaking. After splicing the tape back
together his Exabyte 8505 would not seek past the splice. The user did not want
to send his tape to us for examination. It had proprietary information and the
data could be reconstructed by other means.
This example of failure was particulary interesting because it contained the
engineering drawings of the robotic arm for the space station. I have some
degree of confidence that we can reconstruct the data that exists on either
side of the dammaged portion of the tape.
–Jim
> Absolutely noone has been bitten by this since product introduction (April
'93) through legitimate use of the software. <
I am glad to hear this, and I think other folks will be too. I have found the
statement I made on the subject which is the root of all this:
"It also has anti-theft code which will destroy data on a tape which was
written from the same seriel number on a different machine."
I don't think this was too far off, since some method of serielization is
required for your _defensive_ system to work. And for me, data which is
_locked out_ is as good as destroyed. Granted, if the license guidelines are
followed, this won't be a problem.
Nontheless, regardless of how benign or your protection scheme may be, I think
you will find that it is met with some negativity on this particular forum.
In contrast, let me reiterate my satisfaction with Tapedisk: It's great for
reading and writing models and maps directly to/from tape right from 3DS!! It
gives a whole new slant to the terms "archive" and "library".
— James — Choreo Motion —
James,
I'm a Dealer for TapeDisk so I will be perceived as having a vested interest in
this discussion. That not withstanding, I have never lost any Data using
TapeDisk Nor have any of my customers. Jim D. also has been extreemly helpful
when we've called him regarding system questions that weren't really related to
his product while installing tapedisk. Many times he's answered questions on
older drives that the manufacturer was diffucult or impossible to get in touch
with. He's had the right answer every time. I've even gotten call-backs on
weekends and evenings…(our clients had to have us do the setups at odd
hours.).
Not only was Jim there but he picked up the phone and supported us at these odd
times and hours. Try that with 99% of your other vendors.
I'd say that were fortunate to have such a product as TapeDisk available to us
as well as this caliber of support…the absolute Best in my opinion.!
Murph'
What are the plans for NT versions of Tapedisk, and what capabilities does
tapedisk have for GENERAL backups – or is it JUST for virtual drive emulation?
Also – what does it tend to run? You can mail me on that if you'd rather not
state in forum.
Thanx!
No Problem Jerome;
It's my understanding that there will be a NT Version of TapeDisk.
>> and what capabilities does tapedisk have for GENERAL backups – or is it JUST
for virtual drive emulation? <<
The TapeDisk folks havethree basic principles:
1. All data should not remain on your hard drive.
2. All data shuld be backed up.
3. All data should be easily accessible.
TapeDisk _IS_ Backup Software!
Its Main Feature is the ability to treat a SCSI tape drive (QIC, 4MM DAT, &
8MM) like
a disk drive. It is the First and only DOS/Windows software product to treat a
SCSI tape drive like a Disk Drive.
That's right out of their manual.
However in plan words…it's the greatest thing to happen to animators since
the PAR!
I can now Backup entire Projects as TGA Files and Access them directly from the
tape as if they were on my main hard drive. This also means that I no longer
have to make room on my regular hard drive to do a "Restore" I allready have
access to my projects files directly from the tape while I can continue to work
on current projects without the hassle of backing up the current project on a
seperate tape erasing the hard drive then doing a restore to access the old
project them erasing the hard drive and restoring my current project. Saves a
ton of shuffeling Data. Of Course Don't forget to Backup Current Projects Too!
Once you feel you've got enough work in to it to Back up.
The Suggested Retail Price is $249. and you can contact TapeDisk Directly at
their Oshkosh office (414) 231-3333.
I Guarentee You'll love this Product. Our Dealership uses it exclusivly.
Murph'
It, indeed, sounds like a great product. Hence my interest. Believe me, I
already have to mcuh software on my wish list to fill the next few years of
income, yet this sounds like it might be a priority, should it prove to be all
it sounds like…
TapeDisk is an excellent Product.
Murph'
The overly strong statement was yours, not ours, and it is contrary to fact.
TAPEDISK writes as a WORM device. We would never intentionaly damage any user
written data.
You will never get locked out if you never rip-off the software.
–Jim
> The overly strong statement was yours, not ours, and it is contrary to fact.
<
Thanks for pointing that out. I was trying to do the same thing by publicly
posting my statement and explaining my view on what I consided "destroyed".
This, hopefully, provided you with some insight as to how someone reading your
manual might reach such a conclusion. Barring occasional humor, I don't waste
my time intentionally posting useless or misleading information.
— James E. Coulter — Choreo Motion —
The TAPEDISK copy protection scheme is proprietary but it will not destroy your
data nor inhibit legitimate users to access their files. We do record
information for audit trail purposes. So we will know who produced the tape as
well as the version number of the software and tape drive that wrote the
software. This information helps us in tracking problem reports (system,
tapedrive, version of software). With this information we can address the
problem and make the necessary adjustments to our software in order to produce
a quality product.
It came to the attention of one of our developers (me) that since our software
is issued with a single use license that there should be no legitimate way for
a "single use" to be in use simulteaniously on multiple machines. Of course
exceptions are exceptions for leap year, daylight savings, grace periods for
system upgrades and other considerations.
If the multiple use gets chronic then there is cause for us to take measures to
enforce our copyrights.
We have had absolutely zero problems with this measure of enforcement. At
least on the legitimate copies of TAPEDISK. We do get support calls from users
that have obtained a "fully hacked" copy on pirate BBSs. These hacked copies
are broken copies. In the process of hacking the licensing code invariably
affects the reliability of the code. So if your data is of value to you then
stay away from "fully hacked" software.
–Jim
Jim:
>> It came to the attention of one of our developers (me)…
Ah, the man himself!
A question comes to mind: A client has a legit version of TapeDisk, sends me
the tape. I buy TapeDisk also. Can I read and write to his tape?
Please e-mail or FAX more info on your product to me at (714) 833-8655.
Thanks!
Greg Pyros
No problem with data exchange.
TAPEDISK maintains a usage log in hidden (and "free" space) areas on the tape.
This log can be used to determine violations of our copyrights.
We've had absolutely no problems with this technique. So save yourself the
embarassment, the time, and the cost of trying to explain why a stolen copy of
our product would have the gaul to shut down. So don't buy one copy and spread
it arround in your office. Each system must have a seperate, and legitimate,
serial number.
I will send you information by FAX so as to keep the "plug" off the forum.
–Jim
Can you e-mail me the price of tape disk? It sounds very handy.
Jim:
>> I will send you information by FAX so as to keep the "plug" off the forum.
I'm still waiting (over a week later)…
>> So save yourself the embarassment, the time, and the cost of trying to
>> explain why a stolen copy of our product would have the gaul to shut down.
>> So don't buy one copy and spread it arround in your office.
I know you're new around here, so I'll ignore the sarcastic/insulting remark
and save the lesson in good business etiquette I'd love to give you. You will
find that we are authorized Autodesk developers, creating many programs for
sale for many years, and were a dealer for computer products for 10 of those
years.
And the word you wanted is "gall", as in bile, not "gaul", as in Celt.
Greg Pyros
Greg:
/_______________________From your message________________________\\
And the word you wanted is "gall", as in bile, not "gaul", as in Celt.
__________________________________________________________________
Well, could be he was referring to your favorite illusionistic Italian baroque
ceiling painter, Gaulli. <g>
Bob