> i would say that $350 for a backup dongle is a small price to pay for > stability if you are in a professional working environment, if you're > not then maybe stability isn't such a big deal (although obviously > frustrating). And what if the backup dongle is also bad? How many insurance dongles are registered users supposed to purchase for peace of mind? > the bottom line is that musicians too often very unscrupulous and > download cracked versions of audio s/w all the time. it wouldn't > surprise me if 25% of the users on the list are using illegal s/w > (based on my experience of working with musicians here in northern > california). i think its perfectly reasonable for emagic to protect > themselves in the face of this kind of piracy. > > get real folks, emagic are in business. if we force them out of > business everyone will lose.. I don't think anyone here wishes Emagic any ill will. In fact, I think quite a few (myself included) appreciate the fact the Emagic is trying to protect their software. But this can not happen at the time and expense of registered users, who are simply trying to use the software they paid for. I have seen "XS Key not found" error messages pop up from time to time. I think we should be trying to help them solve the problem of why these errors occur in the first place, instead of recommending that everyone who is "serious" about their music, part with an additional $350 for a dongle that has no guarantee it will work any better. I actually believe these problems are system/driver related somehow . . rather than just faulty manufacturing of the key itself. I can't even discern of these problems are cross-platform or not. In the mean time, I think Emagic should incorporate an insurance system into the software itself. I'll repost a suggestion I made about a month ago . . . . A suggestion for Emagic. . . If a previously authorized and happy Logic 5 suddenly encounters problems making contact with the XS Key, I think the program should automatically revert to "demo" authorization status for a period of 2 weeks, regardless if the XS Key is attached or not. That would allow the legitimate, registered user to continue working, and also allow him and Emagic to swap keys. The program would have this back up system in place only once for a given set of authorization codes. Meaning that if your key fails . .and you activate the demo period . . . you can not activate another demo period until a new key and set of codes is given by Emagic. If you are silly, and unplug a working key . . and try to launch the program . .up pops a message . ."XS Key can not be found, activate demo period"? If you select "yes" . . you then have 2 weeks to run the program. After that, you need a new set of codes. I would consider this insurance for my investment with Emagic. best, Jon --config-- Apple Dual 800 G4, 1.5 gigs ram, Mac OS 9.2.2, RME Hammerfall DSP, MOTU 2408, MOTU MTP AV (USB), OMS 2.3.8, Spirit 328 Digital Mixer/Controller, Apogee Converters (WC Master), ATI Radeon AGP, ATI Rage 128 (second monitor).