Hello, i have a question.
Why do companies put an offline authorisation method in their software? Correct me if i'm wrong,but it's basically just for piracy. I mean, if you buyed and download a product in 99% of the cases you still have an internet connection to authorize that software with, so why tf do companies allow people to authorize their software offline (which easily allows keygens and stuff like that to exist)?

 

Many of us NEVER allow our music production machines to go anywhere near the Internet.
Installing software on those machines requires offline authorisation.
Why software vendors enable offline authorisation that is still anybody's guess
but they must know that many people would say "If I can't authorise offline I'll just use a different product"

 

Yes, you are.
In a professional environment, even beyond audio production, it is either the case that there is no connection to the Internet at all or that the connection to the Internet is blocked by firewall in such a way that online authorization would be impossible (single ports are opened in the network, not single ports are closed).

The few hobbyists who use this to crack the software are not as important as the hundreds of thousands of paying business customers.

If there is no offline auth available at all for a program, it's most likely an app that is used by non business customers only (mainly) e.g. games or in cases where the real program is running on a server and the client is only a kind of peek hole.

 

Last edited: Jan 31, 2021

let's for a second imagine, internet connection is not available for a week, boom you cant authorize your plugin for a week

 

Been to a studio recently? (pre-COVID that is).

The computers if any are for a special purpose, that is recording. There's no need for Tetris, Facebook or any net connectivity. Only DAW related software. So for studios any sort of update is a risk. Offline auth plays into this.

 

Also, there are always some zero day exploits floating around the net that won't be detected by virus scanners, some end up not only making your OS unusable but also encrypting your data so if you're unlucky, your previous work can be lost too.
Studio time is too valuable to be wasted with fixing the computer(s).

 

because fuck internet

 

Do you think Avid wants to get a call from Sony Studios calling them about Network Authorization servers being down?
This is why OFFLINE will always be there for :

Microsoft Windows Enterprise, Server Editions( Even WSUS handles the Win10 updates)
3D graphics Software ( This is across the board all offline options available)
Pro Audio Daw's and some plugins( why they switched to elicencer and Dongles)

You can mess with a 10 lbs gorilla, but not a 400 lb gorilla that can buy you out if need be.

 

You have to see how it was before it all went like this.
18 years ago and onwards, we used to get a box of DVDs which took all day to install your daw on your system, and there was never any online activity needed.
Then online auth started to creep in.
But it can never totally take over.
Because if it did, you can tell that the majority of us would just turn our backs to it.

 

I just bought the Plasmonic synth, the website giving me a link to download the software and the activation code (serial #), but when the time came that I installed the instrument it whammed me with the need to have an internet connection which contributed to bad vibes and to seriously harrshing my mellow.

I'll sadly be getting the refund promised of my money as there is no way around this, said the Dev. I never saw it stated that an online presence was needed.

I'll patiently be waiting for an "alternate" solution. Too bad, I really want to support this creation but that has been dashed.

 

My Production machines never goe's anywhere near the internet.. END OF STORY. IF I was told I need online authorisation, I just simply would not run that DAW. Every major studio I have ever worked in is the same. Drives from clients are scanned on separate machines and copied over the network. I am absolutely strict about this. My rig is stable and isolated from any introduced issues.

 

What's probably also important to note is that a lot of offline machines run outdated OS versions. I remember seeing some of the medical computers that XRay and MRI machines were hooked up to still run XP or something. You can't go online with these things.

But yeah I am also hesitant to buy anything that requires you to go online. Thankfully there's not that many plugins and DAWs that I would deem neccessary for me and that, at the same time, require an internet connection. There's enough alternatives that'll work offline and without limitation.

 

I rather ask: why do some plugin companies NOT offer offline authorization?

Requiring online activation is a disservice to loyal legal users, who for any reason cannot or don't want to access the internet on their audio computer:

• to avoid malware
• to avoid online distractions (to get into a focussed "flow" state of mind)
• no access available in some inexpensive band rehearsal or studio rooms (often run down pre-internet era industrial buildings)
• no reliable internet during travels or songwriting sessions on the countryside (can be an issue in as advanced nations as Germany)
• generally unreliable or unaffordable data connections (in many poorer countries, where internet access can be a luxury only available in major cities)

Personally I stay away from companies that don't offer offline authorizations.

 

Because they are paranoid, greedy, or both.

The only reason.

 

For security of their customers isolating the computer from the world wire to prevent data leaking ex: your unfinished songs end on uploaded net without your permission or to not get distracted from all those "hot" images and vids

 

Hmmmm.... this sounds remarkably now like a "why haven't R2R cracked {insert refx, mixedinkey product here} yet"?

Or i could just been cynical of an OP from a new member

 

What? If you're answering this quote below, then you've just said the opposite.

And Hazen Likes it. Strange!

Ah! You're directly answering the thread question! Legend! Sorry.

 

Last edited: Feb 2, 2021

I don't see your point. How does "disservice to loyal users" relate to requesting software to be cracked? I don't use cracks by the way, for the same reasons I keep my audio computer offline: to avoid the risk of malware infection! I use renown freeware and offline capable, dongle-free inexpensive payware only. That's why my audio computer still works flawless after one decade of use!

 

No idea what argument you are trying to construct here, but yes: I like offline capable plugins.

 

I know. Look back.

Yes, of course! We all do!
Just look at this thread! :
https://audiosex.pro/threads/spitfire-labs-avoid-if-you-love-your-computer-and-your-privacy.57580/