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Question regarding Alpha 5 V11 Licensing

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    Question regarding Alpha 5 V11 Licensing

    I'm a third of the way through my V11 Trial and I'm headed toward licensing the software. Since it's pretty pricey I'd like to know if I'm permitted to do the following with a single license.

    The application I'm rewriting will run on my son's computer at his store. Alpha Five will obviously be installed there. However, I do all the development work at my home and will need the software installed on my computer here as well. Finally, I have a backup computer at my home and like to have all important software on both my computers.

    From a cost management point of view I cannot afford to purchase 2 or 3 licenses at $300 to $350 a pop so that my son can use it on a single computer.

    Do any of you know with certainty whether I'm permitted to do this with a single license? As a related question does Alpha Software use an activation scheme a la Microsoft which monitors the use of the license or, worse, restricts the license to a specific system? I'd like to believe there's some good faith here.

    If those of you who know the answer are uncomfortable posting it, could you send me a private message?

    Thanks in advance ... Sam

    #2
    Re: Question regarding Alpha 5 V11 Licensing

    restricts the license to a specific system
    You are allowed to install a single license on two machines (activation is tied to the machine name). The original intent was one desktop and one laptop for working off site but that is not enforced.
    There can be only one.

    Comment


      #3
      Re: Question regarding Alpha 5 V11 Licensing

      "Machine Name"? What does that mean? In XP jargon is that the "Computer Name".

      What does "activation" actually do, Stan? Is that an enforcement vehicle? Does Alpha Software control this process? Do they even know about it? What I'm trying to get to is whether this is an honor system thing? Microsoft's activation of Windows is anything but. You said it's "tied to the machine name" which raises these questions. Don't have any idea what "tied" means. I do know what it means as far as my XP license.

      Sorry I didn't understand you that well, Stan, but I really need to know how committed I am to which machines I put it on.

      Expressed in a much simpler manner: What's the effect of a user installing the software on six computers with or without the same "machine name"?

      Thanks ... Sam

      Comment


        #4
        Re: Question regarding Alpha 5 V11 Licensing

        Machine name is computer name in XP.

        The software will run for 30 days in trial mode. After that time, if not activated, it will not run. When you install you are, or should be, asked whether you want to actovate. You can activate via email or online. Alpha will send a license.key file if you choose by email or install that file if you activate online. This file is checked each time you start Alpha. If there is no key or the computer name doesn't match the key, you can't use Alpha.

        Not an honor system.

        You're not likely to find anyone here to discuss ways to deprive Alpha of their due. They set the rules, they set the pricing. If you don't want to abide by those you should choose another program that fits your budget.
        There can be only one.

        Comment


          #5
          Re: Question regarding Alpha 5 V11 Licensing

          Originally posted by Stan Mathews View Post
          You're not likely to find anyone here to discuss ways to deprive Alpha of their due. They set the rules, they set the pricing. If you don't want to abide by those you should choose another program that fits your budget.
          Not my intent, Stan. I think you know that. I always investigate things carefully and, in this case, want to know what my responsibilities are.

          1. From what you've explained, I can use the same key on my son's computer at the store and my primary computer at home. Is that correct? Also, if I had installed it then on my backup computer, the way the license key works Alpha will not come up. Is that also correct?

          2. If one of our computers is upgraded to a new one, do I un-license it from the old one in order to re-use the key? Do I have to call Alpha or do it online instead?

          3. Finally, Stan, what happens to everyone's licenses if Alpha Software should go out of business and therefore be unable to continue activations?

          That's it Stan, no more questions on this subject. There's been a lot of concern in recent years about activation and problems that have occurred regarding Microsoft, Intuit, Adobe and others, and I just wanted to know if this could end up being problematic for me.

          Regards ... Sam

          Comment


            #6
            Re: Question regarding Alpha 5 V11 Licensing

            Originally posted by sgerber View Post
            1. From what you've explained, I can use the same key on my son's computer at the store and my primary computer at home. Is that correct?
            YES

            Also, if I had installed it then on my backup computer, the way the license key works Alpha will not come up. Is that also correct?
            Yes, but why would you want to install the entire program as operational on a backup computer? Keeping A5v11 on a backup computer is not necessary. IMHO, it's more work if a significant amount of time goes by, what you've got will not be up to date and you will have to down load the updates (unless you keep them as well). Besides, you can download A5v11 anytime you want and it will have the latest updates already installed. [/QUOTE]

            2. If one of our computers is upgraded to a new one, do I un-license it from the old one in order to re-use the key? Do I have to call Alpha or do it online instead?
            No, you install A5 on the new computer and use the same key.

            3. Finally, Stan, what happens to everyone's licenses if Alpha Software should go out of business and therefore be unable to continue activations?
            What happens to your car if the manufacturer goes out of business or they choose to quit making them?

            kenn
            TYVM :) kenn

            Knowing what you can achieve will not become reality until you imagine and explore.

            Comment


              #7
              Re: Question regarding Alpha 5 V11 Licensing

              what happens to everyone's licenses if Alpha Software should go out of business and therefore be unable to continue activations?
              So long as you are able to have a computer with the name under which the license.key was generated you can install Alpha on that machine. IOW, should one of your present machines die, simply (having made a backup of the Alpha installer and the license.key file) boot the new machine, change the computer name to the previously used name, copy the license.key to the application data directory, and you're good to go.
              There can be only one.

              Comment


                #8
                Re: Question regarding Alpha 5 V11 Licensing

                Hi Stan,

                I thought about saying that but then, Nah, better let Stan have a word or two. LOL Just teasing
                TYVM :) kenn

                Knowing what you can achieve will not become reality until you imagine and explore.

                Comment


                  #9
                  Re: Question regarding Alpha 5 V11 Licensing

                  Originally posted by Stan Mathews View Post
                  So long as you are able to have a computer with the name under which the license.key was generated you can install Alpha on that machine. IOW, should one of your present machines die, simply (having made a backup of the Alpha installer and the license.key file) boot the new machine, change the computer name to the previously used name, copy the license.key to the application data directory, and you're good to go.
                  That makes sense and is fair.

                  When I receive my key will it indicate that it's licensed to my computer name? Otherwise I wouldn't know if you didn't mention it.

                  Also, what's the "Alpha Installer"? Are you referring to the full 116MB installation download or something else?

                  Thanks ... Sam

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Re: Question regarding Alpha 5 V11 Licensing

                    Until A5 is registrated, when you open A5, I believe you are greated with a registration screen which is like most any software that requires registration. Enter the key at the appointed time and follow the prompts.

                    Alpha Installer is just that, a program for installing your RunTime apps whch you develop.
                    TYVM :) kenn

                    Knowing what you can achieve will not become reality until you imagine and explore.

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Re: Question regarding Alpha 5 V11 Licensing

                      When I receive my key will it indicate that it's licensed to my computer name?
                      No. the contents of the key are a string of numbers and letters unintelligible unless decoded. The contents, when Alpha decodes them when you start the program, allow for a check that the computer running the program is "legal". Actually I misspoke, the file in the application data directory is named activation.key.
                      There can be only one.

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Re: Question regarding Alpha 5 V11 Licensing

                        This gets more and more confusing. I guess I'll find out more when I buy the program.

                        You're quite correct that the splash (intro) screen offers me a chance to enter my "license number" and I have no clue what that is. It's been explained that I'll receive a "license key", a file that I'll place in my apps data directory. How it relates to a license number remains a mystery.

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Re: Question regarding Alpha 5 V11 Licensing

                          Originally posted by forskare View Post
                          Alpha Installer is just that, a program for installing your RunTime apps whch you develop.
                          This is another of Alpha's mysteries to me, Ken. I'm not a developer and can only guess that developers create runtime apps that their clients can only run. not develop, and there's runtime software that permits that. The term "Alpha installer" remains part of the mystery.

                          Is it on my computer? What's its name? Can I use it to create run-time apps if I only own the basic $350 product?

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Re: Question regarding Alpha 5 V11 Licensing

                            When all else fails, check the documentation.


                            install.png
                            There can be only one.

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Re: Question regarding Alpha 5 V11 Licensing

                              Originally posted by Stan Mathews View Post
                              No. the contents of the key are a string of numbers and letters unintelligible unless decoded. The contents, when Alpha decodes them when you start the program, allow for a check that the computer running the program is "legal". Actually I misspoke, the file in the application data directory is named activation.key.
                              This keeps getting better, Stan. It seems now that Alpha is not indicating that it checks for the licensed "computer name". That can't be true, as I see it, because any user changing their computer name, and many do, will find that Alpha won't work any longer.

                              Geez, life would be simpler without activations. I also realize they may be necessary in today's world.

                              Comment

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