I have heard several complaints about "activation hooey", having to do with
Adobe's choice to require program activation for Photoshop CS (BTW for those who
didn't know, Adobe has released what amounts to PS8 in a package called
Photoshop CS -- just 'released' but not shipping). The process of activating is
pretty simple, similar to registering your product with the company. For those
not familiar, products requiring activation will not work until you get in
contact with the manufacturer. The purpose is hopefully to slow the spread of
piracy, which in the case of Photoshop is seemingly fairly rampant.

Frankly I could care one way or another how Adobe chooses to protect their
software. I am curious if anyone really has a valid position against activation.
I have used all sorts of things in purchased software...dongles, activation,
passwords, subscriptions, thin client, and nothing. I DON'T SEE WHY it is such a
big deal if:

1) you are using the program legally.
2) your computer works and doesn't need to be overhauled every month.

I can't for the life of me see why either of these things should be unusual.

If this allows Adobe to concentrate more on creating stuff for the program
(e.g., they don't have to worry about suing pirates, and can spend that money
better), GREAT. If I have to make a call to them every 1.5 years to activate,
perhaps I'll get a freindly person on the other end and I'll have a fine chat
for 15 seconds and never talk with them again. If it even takes 5 minutes of
your lifetime, is it that big a deal? How much time do you spend in traffic? at
stop lights? brushing your teeth? Sometimes there are necessary evils in the
path to getting to where you want to go, and my guess is you'll want to have
fresh breath when you get there.

You won't complain about the price, but you complain about a phone call? let me
ask you...when you get out of your car with your fresh breath, do you lock the
door? do you lock your house when you leave? Do you have keys to a post-box? If
you were selling things at a flea market, would you just leave then things there
and go to lunch and come back hoping to find money on the table for the items
that were gone? for every one person that left money, 5 would think about
picking it up...and maybe none would on a really really good day.

Is it really more complicated than registering the product? I think not, so I'd
do it. Does Adobe deserve the fruit of their labor? I think so, so I'd do it. Do
I want to use the program? Yes; so I do it. It is the manufacturer's choice, not
the client's, what goes into a program...as it is the manufacturer's sweat. You
can choose not to use a product because they want to be sure you are using it
legally. Having some background in software, and entreprenuership, I can't fault
them. It isn't even locking the car, it is more like being careful to whom you
give the keys. Most of us would do that. Those of you who don't, might I borrow
your car for a little trip I'm taking?

I didn't think the PS7 upgrade was all that much to scream about...I think there
are far more beneficial features in CS though, and if some "activation hooey" is
enough to stop you from upgrading, it is spiting no one but yourself -- and
perhaps making their case for them.

I welcome comments.

Richard Lynch
http://ps6.com
http://hiddenelements.com