Resco Explorer updated - FTP plus other great stuff

[bh77a]

Resco released a major update to Explorer today, bringing it up to Explorer 2007 or version 3.01.

http://www.resco.net/palm/explorer/default.asp

The best feature, which is well worth the modest upgrade fee (if registered within last year, free, otherwise cost is 1/2 of registration), is FTP access. It works extremely well. A second very worthwhile new feature is the structured RAM view. A full list of enhancements, etc is below.

Version 3.01 | May 16, 2007

Network Services

FTP access is realized via FTP Connections dialog and the FTP node in the tree.
FTP node works just as another card, i.e. you can copy, delete, view remote files. (etc.)
Download File menu option enables http downloads.
Resco Updates menu option offers handheld access to Resco downloads.
For additional network options see the General Options dialog.

RAM analyzer

RAM icon view is replaced by a structured folder view with the databases sorted into reasonably defined folders. The sorting relies on CreatorID's, associations and other techniques.
Ideal tool for PDA cleaning.
Note that
Folders can be expanded/collapsed via main menu.
The two RAM views are toggled via button in the bottom right corner.

GUI

Optional address bar at the top.
Icon view with small icons uses 2-column format. (Space-efficient arrangment.)
Many dialogs redesigned, most noticeably General Options and Backup commands.

Other news

Favorites allow for bookmarking of frequently visited pages. The users can select a hotkey for fast access to the favorite pages.
Number of fixes and improvements.

*I am in no way affiliated with Resco, I just like their software.

[PinCushionQueen]

Yeah! WooHoo! This is a great update and is FREE to registered users of less than one year. 50% off to everyone else.

I can attest that the ftp function works great and is really, really handy! :-D I haven't tried the new download feature but I hope that it will fix the php problems with Blazer. If anyone else has tried this can you confirm that it works?

[BrentDC]

The one thing I don't like about the new RE is the launcher view. The old one I could fit 50 icons in one page (using small bold font, and small icons). The new version I can only fit 34 (using normal font, small bold makes it to hard to select the icons). I would've posted before and after screen shots, but I don't know how to post images on this site.

[LanMan]

bh77a, do you like how this new version works on your TH55? What are the benefits, other than FTP?

[BrentDC]

I know this is kind of early for bug reports, but every time I do a backup it says Copy New Version Of Resco Explorer To Card (Needed For Restore)? I click yes, but if I try to do another backup afterwards it gives me the same message. :confused:

[stevec]

Typical, I registered in April 2006! Missed the free upgrade by a month :(

[I love my mom]

I think I'm going to purchase this now. And since it's still 20 bucks, I get a free upgrade :)

[bh77a]

bh77a, do you like how this new version works on your TH55? What are the benefits, other than FTP?

Hi LanMan,

I like this upgrade, as it seems to be very stable on my TH55. Other than FTP support (and Samba very soon I am told by the developer), the structured RAM view looks to be very interesting. When viewing the RAM contents, you can still browse the traditional method, but you can also see which files are associated with which programs. RAM based documents, PIM databases, preferences, unassociated files, etc are grouped into folders for easy browsing as well.

All in all, when you get in and start exploring this version, it seems to be very well thought out in terms of user intuitiveness.

If time permits I will take a few screenshots tonight and post them.

[bh77a]

I think I'm going to purchase this now. And since it's still 20 bucks, I get a free upgrade :)

If you are already a registered user, you get the upgrade for half price. If not already a user, it might be worth noting that the price will go up to $29.xx on June 5.

[BrentDC]

I just registered a month ago, so when I was downloading the new version I requested a new code. They sent me a code no problem, but if I remember correctly Resco Explorer asks you for the code when you launch it right? I've launched it about 10 times and it hasn't asked me for my new code yet. In the menus I don't see anyplace to register it so I don't think it needs to be registered for me anyways.

[bh77a]

I know this is kind of early for bug reports, but every time I do a backup it says Copy New Version Of Resco Explorer To Card (Needed For Restore)? I click yes, but if I try to do another backup afterwards it gives me the same message. :confused:

You're right. The same issue exists on my TH55. Off to the Resco forums to post...

[Church Punk]

cool. thanks for the news :) :) :)

[BrentDC]

Well my first impressions of the new version of Resco Explorer weren't very good, but after getting used to the UI a little more I really like it! The new RAM view is awesome, the status bar on top makes it much easier to quickly navigate through the hierarchy, the Favorites menu is nice (although I would've liked to see a easier way to access it on non treo devices). And best of all if you purchased it within a year they will send you a registration code for FREE!

[BrentDC]

By the way Resco has released an update for the "copy explorer to card on backup" bug. You can download it within the Explorer application go to Menu/Tools/Resco Updates.

[dgthomas]

Anyone else getting a "Move failed: DBreadonly" error when trying to drag an app from one category to another? This worked fine in the previous versions.

[BrentDC]

I never drag and dropped between categories in version 2.72, so I reinstalled 2.72 back to my palm (I always keep everything that I might ever need on my SD card). Drag and drop works fine, but with the new version it doesn't. So I would have to say this IS A BUG. I'm surprised this got into the public release...

[bh77a]

Anyone else getting a "Move failed: DBreadonly" error when trying to drag an app from one category to another? This worked fine in the previous versions.I am seeing it on my TX.

[PinCushionQueen]

Hmmm... I'm not getting an error when I try to drag & drop a file from one directory to another. I tried with both an image and a document. What kind of file are you trying to drag & drop? Are you sure it's not actually ''Read Only''?

[dgthomas]

Hmmm... I'm not getting an error when I try to drag & drop a file from one directory to another. I tried with both an image and a document. What kind of file are you trying to drag & drop? Are you sure it's not actually ''Read Only''?I'm dragging an application.

[BrentDC]

The error occurs when you drag an app from the right pane to the left pane in a different category.

[Modnar]

I would love to get this and the biggest selling point to me would be the ftp functions so does it act as a client (more so download and upload files to ftp server) and a server (allows me to share documents etc)?

Still either way looks good!

[yorrick]

Bought mine in August 2004. I don't mind the upgrade price since they were up front about it from the very beginning and this program has been one of the most often used utilities on the Palm. :)

[Silly Rabbit]

I upgraded to the new version yesterday & gave it a whirl. I was able to transfer files to my PC from my TX & vice versa. Awesome!

(And since I bought this on sale, before the new version was released yesterday, I got it for $16!!! :cool: )

[technical1]

BrentDC,

You can tap on the little icon on the bottom right corner, it looks like 4 little squares making up a + sign, this will give you your old view....

BTW, drag & drop worked on my TX.

[Pman]

I just registered a month ago, so when I was downloading the new version I requested a new code. They sent me a code no problem, but if I remember correctly Resco Explorer asks you for the code when you launch it right? I've launched it about 10 times and it hasn't asked me for my new code yet. In the menus I don't see anyplace to register it so I don't think it needs to be registered for me anyways.

Same thing happened to me. Then when I went into the app the second time it asked for the code. The new code worked like a charm.

[BrentDC]

I guess the reason it didn't ask for the code is because I had the "default launcher" checkbox checked. Resco support told me that if it's the default launcher it will only ask once every six times or so. That still doesn't seem right to me because I launched at least 20 times and still it didn't ask. I even purposely set my pda to 3 weeks ahead to make the trial expire and I still was able to launch and use it UNREGISTERED AFTER THE TRIAL PERIOD. So I unchecked the checkbox, launched it the next time and I was able to enter the code.

[dgthomas]

I never drag and dropped between categories in version 2.72, so I reinstalled 2.72 back to my palm (I always keep everything that I might ever need on my SD card). Drag and drop works fine, but with the new version it doesn't. So I would have to say this IS A BUG. I'm surprised this got into the public release...Jan from Resco support PM'd me a fixed prc to install. Works fine now!

[BrentDC]

Has anyone tried reseting with RE yet? I did and it put my Palm TX in a reset loop! I had to do a warm reset to break the cycle, but every time I did a soft reset it would go back into the loop. I hard reset my device and restored from this morning (which included the new version of RE). But when NVBackup reset my device when it was done the loop started again. I tried deleting RE of my device but it could not be deleted! I had to hard reset my device again, and restore from yesterdays backup (which included v2.72 of RE). My palm seems fine now but this is bad bad bad...

[Silly Rabbit]

I don't know the difference between a warm & soft reset, but I have reset my TX by pressing the button in the back (after upgrading RE) and it's just fine.

[phreakonaleash]

I don't know the difference between a warm & soft reset, but I have reset my TX by pressing the button in the back (after upgrading RE) and it's just fine.

The soft reset is simply pressing the button, and warm reset is pressing the button and holding the up key. It keeps apps from loading into the memory, if, for example, there was a bug in the code that made it crash during the reset (the telltale sign is a reset loop)

[BrentDC]

But have you tried reseting WITH RE. Menu/Options/Reset/Yes

[Cyker]

Jogwheel on TH55 won't scroll up in this version :(

Seems there are quite a few little niggly interface bugs in this version...

[janos]

The one thing I don't like about the new RE is the launcher view. The old one I could fit 50 icons in one page (using small bold font, and small icons). The new version I can only fit 34 (using normal font, small bold makes it to hard to select the icons). I would've posted before and after screen shots, but I don't know how to post images on this site.

May I ask you for more details? I am just looking at T650 and see that the old way displayed 28 apps, the new way 36.
I briefly checked TX in both portrait and landscape, but can't find how the new Explorer could display less icons.

Best regards

[janos]

I know this is kind of early for bug reports, but every time I do a backup it says Copy New Version Of Resco Explorer To Card (Needed For Restore)? I click yes, but if I try to do another backup afterwards it gives me the same message. :confused:

Sorry, we forgot to update binary version. The fix is already uploaded, just not advertized.

Best regards

[LanMan]

Jogwheel on TH55 won't scroll up in this version :(

Seems there are quite a few little niggly interface bugs in this version...

That's not good. We '55 users now have to remind developers that we are still out here in order to get support on our PDA's. :(

[janos]

Anyone else getting a "Move failed: DBreadonly" error when trying to drag an app from one category to another? This worked fine in the previous versions.
Sorry, we have a fix already - will be released soon.

Best regards

[janos]

I would love to get this and the biggest selling point to me would be the ftp functions so does it act as a client (more so download and upload files to ftp server) and a server (allows me to share documents etc)?


Just a client. Server needs a lot more.

[janos]

Has anyone tried reseting with RE yet? I did and it put my Palm TX in a reset loop! I had to do a warm reset to break the cycle, but every time I did a soft reset it would go back into the loop. I hard reset my device and restored from this morning (which included the new version of RE). But when NVBackup reset my device when it was done the loop started again. I tried deleting RE of my device but it could not be deleted! I had to hard reset my device again, and restore from yesterdays backup (which included v2.72 of RE). My palm seems fine now but this is bad bad bad...
I tried reset several times and it worked. Finally what is behind this call is a very easy SysReset syscall, hence 95% of the work is done by Palm OS itself.

Despite that a reset loop can happen and may happen even if you use the reset hole. The most probable reason was a corrupted launcher database. This happens when the reset comes in the moment the launcher DB is under processing. This problem can be solved by a warm reset + delete of psyslaunchdb. (Or restore of this single DB.)

Anyway, chances are that it was another cause and the following sentence looks strange:

> I tried deleting RE of my device but it could not be deleted!

I have no explanation, sorry.
Did you delete it from the launcher?
What was the error?
Which device do you use? (If we have it, we can test it.)

Best regards

[bh77a]

Jogwheel on TH55 won't scroll up in this version :(

Seems there are quite a few little niggly interface bugs in this version...I posted on the Resco forums about the scroll wheel oddity as well.

[bh77a]

That's not good. We '55 users now have to remind developers that we are still out here in order to get support on our PDA's. :(Hi LanMan,

I can assure you that Resco/Janos is responding to issues regarding the TH55. Over the weekend I found an issue in FTP connectivity that was only present on my TH55 (tested on my "not used anymore" TX and didn't exist) and a fixed version was sent to me very quickly.

[bh77a]

Can any of the TH55 users here verify that after accessing and exiting the "http download" and "resco updates" that the virtual graffiti / dia area is empty? Toggling the VG brings it back.

Also, after zipping a file, etc, and the small progress bar runs across the bottom of the screen, the bottom toolbar is not visible until it is toggled or the dia/vg is toggled. This occurred in previous versions as well. I do have Rotate installed but don't know if disabling it will fix anything in this area.

[BrentDC]

@Jan

I figured out what caused the reset loop (or at least I hope). I've been thinking it was RE all along, because it was the only new software I've installed in the last few days and I was using it when the loop started. So as I said in my earlier post I was now using v2.72 and that seemed to cure my loop (or at least I thought). Naturally I had some data loss because I had to restore from yesterdays backup, so today I tried to restore all the changes myself. So it was mid afternoon and my device froze (it happens every once in a while), so I pressed the reset hole and to my surprise my device started a reset loop. Now I knew RE WAS NOT TO BLAME. I now thought that maybe what I changed from this morning to now was the culprit. I then made a list of everything that had changed: browsed the web, received emails, changed some icons with appicon, renamed Kmeteo from kmeteo to Weather. One by one I would test the changes by doing whatever I did and soft reseting. I changed kmeteo's name and boom reset loop. I now knew what the problem was, so I deleted it and all of its databases/saved/unsaved preferences. Ever since my device seems fine, and yes I will download RE 3.01.

p.s. The reason RE could not be deleted was because nothing could, and the hard buttons wouldn't work, and nothing could be launched except apps in ROM.

[Silly Rabbit]

But have you tried reseting WITH RE. Menu/Options/Reset/Yes

Yes. Boots up fine.

The soft reset is simply pressing the button, and warm reset is pressing the button and holding the up key. It keeps apps from loading into the memory, if, for example, there was a bug in the code that made it crash during the reset (the telltale sign is a reset loop)

Ok, thanks for the explanation! :) :)

[BrentDC]

@Jan

I sent you screenshots of my launcher with v2.72 and v3.01 you can clearly see the difference...

[wellsjs]

Resco Explorer 3.01 - great additional features added to an already awesome app! I love the "RAM Analyzer! Makes Palm's RAM appear to be what it should be, a foldered environment! ;)

[Modnar]

Just a client. Server needs a lot more.

Cheers Guess I will have a look into it then!!

(Not surprised about the server though I knew that did require a lot)

[ricas]

I was able to transfer files to my PC from my TX & vice versa. Awesome!i think it's something like smbmate, right?
but, i'm totally new to this, don't know what and how to put on these:

host name [:Port]
user name:
password:
label:

could someone please put an example on how to fill it?
thanks

[Rob_T]

I had a little snafu getting my new reg. code (my fault) but customer service at Resco helped me out and was FANTASTIC!!

[alt236]

i think it's something like smbmate, right?
but, i'm totally new to this, don't know what and how to put on these:

host name [:Port]
user name:
password:
label:

could someone please put an example on how to fill it?
thanks

You need to setup an FTP server on your computer first. There are quite a few for Linux but I'm not aware of any free ones for Windows.
If you just want to see how ftp works, use the following:

Host name: ftp.utexas.edu/pub/
user name: <nothing>
password: <nothing>
label: U of Texas FTP

This will let you connect to the ftp server of the university of Texas. It mirrors a few software downloads so try to get something.

Have a look at this for more info : http://www.ftpplanet.com/ftpresources/basics.htm

If you do setup a server, be aware that ftp passwords are sent in plaintext so dont use it on an unsecured network.:)

[bh77a]

i think it's something like smbmate, right?
but, i'm totally new to this, don't know what and how to put on these:

host name [:Port]
user name:
password:
label:

could someone please put an example on how to fill it?
thanksHi ricas,

The information that you fill in is *something* like that of what you put in SMBMate. However, it is important to note that Explorer currently uses FTP (file transfer protocol) while SMBMate uses SMB or Samba. I am betting that a future release of Explorer will also implement the SMB/Samba protocol.

In regards to the information, you can modify it with your personal information:

Host name = your computer's ip address
Username = the username of your computer account, ie "george" or "marvins-laptop"
Password = the password you enter when signing in to your account
Label = a desription of the computer, ie iMac_home or macbook_school

If you need further help with the information above, let us know.

It is also important to note that you will need to enable FTP sharing on your computer. If you have a Mac or a Linux based computer, I can help you with this if you need it. I am ignorant regarding Windows, though.

[bh77a]

Explorer 2007 version 3.01.02 is now available via the "Resco Updates" feature and the Resco site.

Includes:
* Formal fix: Explorer version string pointed to the previous version. (Consequence: Backup always thought that the card copy of Explorer needs to be updated.)
* Fix: Move app to another category
* FTP: File delete improved
* Clie: Fix for JogUp
* Compatibility to DocsToGo v10

[BrentDC]

By the way if any of you are interested, Jan @ Resco told me the old "launcher view" will be added back in addition to the current one. This will be added when the next update comes out, which should be in less than 3 weeks.

[ricas]

Hi alt236 and bh77a,
mine it's a windows pc but i'm going to try your tips and see what i get.
thank you very much,
ricas

[alt236]

Have a look at this windows server: http://www.altools.net/ALTools/ALFTP/tabid/55/Default.aspx

It seems to be pretty straigntforward and simple.
Ignore the cute grahics :p

[stevec]

Having got 3.01.2, mine now (when trying to run the copy on the card - which is also at 3.01.2 as I copied it there as well) tells me "A newer version..." and, if I reply Yes, it installs the card version into RAM (and resetsit to the "Unfiled" category). I know this because, after installing 3.01.2 into RAM, I ran the older version on the card - got the message - replied Yes and ended up with the older version back in RAM (and back in the Unfiled category).

I may be missing something, but shouldn't it be copying the new version from RAM onto the card??????????????

[cyberdude]

warftpd is a free windows ftp server.

[bh77a]

Having got 3.01.2, mine now (when trying to run the copy on the card - which is also at 3.01.2 as I copied it there as well) tells me "A newer version..." and, if I reply Yes, it installs the card version into RAM (and resetsit to the "Unfiled" category). I know this because, after installing 3.01.2 into RAM, I ran the older version on the card - got the message - replied Yes and ended up with the older version back in RAM (and back in the Unfiled category).

I may be missing something, but shouldn't it be copying the new version from RAM onto the card??????????????Here's what I did... ran Resco Updates and downloaded 3.01.02 to the card. Then copied that over to RAM, overwriting the old version. Worked fine as far as I could tell.

[cyberdude]

Here's what I did... ran Resco Updates and downloaded 3.01.02 to the card. Then copied that over to RAM, overwriting the old version. Worked fine as far as I could tell.
did same. :)

[stevec]

I installed it from the card initially, though not from the launcher folder. It's fine running it from RAM - it's just the copy that resides in the launcher directory that insists on over-writing the RAM copy if I run it.

However, if I delete the copy from the card and run a back-up, it asks to copy itself over first; now the copy on the card seems to behave itself.

Problem fixed (not that it was so much a problem as an oddity) - but a strange situation! Clearly something that's probably not doing quite what was planned.

[Cyker]

Kudos to the Jan and the Resco peeps for fixing the Sony Jog problem so fast! :D

The SMB support will be interesting - I'm currently using SMBMate so it'll be hard for them to beat ;)
I was going to buy WiFile but it has Evil in its registration system so I'm forced to boycott it :(

[BrentDC]

What do you mean about "Evil in its registration system".

[bh77a]

I believe that Cyker, like many others here, only want software that is tied to the hotsync name of the handheld. I refuse to purchase anything that is tied to machine id or some weird variables. If my TH55 should happen to fall in the toilet, for example and God forbid that such a tragedy should happen, I want my TX to be up and running within a few minutes of work.

@ Cyker: Please correct me if I am wrong.

[Silly Rabbit]

If it's tied to the hotsync name, NBD, since I simply keep the same name. (Hence, the hot sync name for my now dead Tungsten E2 & current TX have the word 'zire' in the name.) It's the ones tied to the machine id itself that will be annoying in the future.

[Cyker]

<WARN:Personal Opinions>
Frankly I don't like the idea of stuff being tied to my HotSync name either - Ideally I'd just like a 'key', like with WinRAR or WinZip or even older versions of MS Windows and Office, or nothing at all like 90% of the programs I use.

I love Mobile-Stream for this reason and bought their stuff in a heartbeat.

I'll compromise on HotSync tie-ins for really *really* worthwhile apps (e.g. Resco Explorer and iSilo), but anything that is tied to a hardware fingerprint is an automatic no-no.

WiFile is so out of the running for me, as is the pay-ware TCPMP CorePlayer because not only do they use fingerprinting, they also use on-line third-party activation as well, so you have to connect to their thirdparty server and register to unlock the program after all the crap with a key etc...

This is why I still use Win98/2000 and not XP/Vista and am migrating (very slowly...) towards a fully Linuxy system, and have never played Sam'n'Max (That hurts...) or Half-Life 2 or any other Steam game (Thank smeg I got Darwinia before they Steamed it :mad: ).

Alas most people tend to be fickle and accept any restrictions, no matter how ridiculous, on a product if they want it, so I worry we'll just get increasingly screwed with draconican copy protection and DRM by paranoid publishers :(
(And the cost of that gets passed onto us!)

[stevec]

If a supplier decides to use a registration system we don't like, then we don't buy. Nobody forces anyone here to buy any hardware or software - we each choose. It's annoying if a particular program we've just got to have comes with such a registration system...

Personally, I've no problem with being tied to my HotSync name as that goes from PDA to PDA with me. I didn't like online activation when it first came out but, so far, it's not given me any problems - in fact, with broadband at home and when mobile (3G), it's the most convenient system for me. Of course, all my software is fully paid for and licensed - anything else would be theft.

The only issue was a couple years ago when a friend bought a new PC and MS Office - they didn't have a landline, nor need one (didn't need internet access at home and used a mobile for normal phone calls); got around the problem by bringing the PC to my home and plugging into my network - registered and activated in ten minutes and that was it. It was inconvenient but, if I hadn't been able to sort it, they could have taken it back to the dealer.

[Cyker]

If a supplier decides to use a registration system we don't like, then we don't buy. Nobody forces anyone here to buy any hardware or software - we each choose. It's annoying if a particular program we've just got to have comes with such a registration system...

Totally agree, which is why there's a lot of stuff I just flat-out refuse to buy, but the part about it being a pain when you're torn because of something you really want/need to have but can't is the biggest downside.

A lot of people compromise their morals there, but so far I've done pretty well in spending the extra effort to find alternatives.


I didn't like online activation when it first came out but, so far, it's not given me any problems - in fact, with broadband at home and when mobile (3G), it's the most convenient system for me. Of course, all my software is fully paid for and licensed - anything else would be theft.

What did you mean about the 'most convenient' system part? I assume you don't mean you find it more convenient than NOT having to activate it online? ;)


It's a slippery slope 'tho - These guys are smart in introducing this slowly. A few years ago, there would have been a massive backlash if anybody had tried something like online activation, but since MS forced it on everyone and made it relatively easy to bypass, people just went with it.
Now it's become more and more intrusive, and more companies are doing similar things after being shown they can get away with it.

I don't doubt that in the mid-near future we'll be seeing programs that require you to be on-line all the time because they will continually check with some random server (And obviously won't work when the server blows up or something, like what happened with Steam when it first came out, and the activation version of Prey when the publisher company went bankrupt).

And a bit further beyond that, in order to authenticate, you'll need to effectively 'rent' the software, paying every year, and when a new version comes out you'll need to switch to that, regardless of whether you want to.

The fact that this future is a very real possibility scares the crap out of me which is why I try and boycott as much of this stuff as I can...

[stevec]

What did you mean about the 'most convenient' system part? I assume you don't mean you find it more convenient than NOT having to activate it online? ;)


I mean a few seconds online instead of having to fill out a registration form and wait to get the activation key emailed (which, with some companies, takes a couple of days - frustrating if the key is needed to unlock a feature I need). I sometimes get a particular program to do a specific job that I need to get done quickly; utilities costing, say, $20 that save me even an hour's extra work are worth buying when it's for my business - useless if I can't use it straight away.

I agree about the ridiculous situation where you'd need to be online all the time to use a program, just so it can ping its activation server. I hadn't realised there were games needing that - but then, I don't have any games on my PC (other than the version of Solitaire that comes with Windows - and that's not been run for a year or two).

I also remain to be convinced about rights management - it will be a retrograde step to me if it ends up penalising the honest to make the dishonest work differently (and the pirates will always find ways around the systems); if it works in the background and has defaults that don't obstruct honest use, I'll happily accept it. Remember, everyone who uses a program they haven't obtained honestly (which means paying if the owner requires it - even shareware) is contributing to the hassle for those who are honest.

[alt236]

The main problem with online activation is what will happen if the company dissapears in the future. Think about big companies more than end users. What happens if Micro$oft goes bust and the activation servers for Vista go offline?

Plus, you DID purchase the license right? So if the company becomes bankrupt, you'll have to crack it (or find a other way to bypass the check) which is illegal. So you will be forced to break the law to use something you have the right to. Most companies won't go for it in fear of legal problems so they'll be forced to find an alternative (more costs for them due to purchasing, re-training, etc.).

[stevec]

I think that, if Microsoft were to go bust, online activation of Vista would be a minor worry.

Regarding cracking activation to continue using something you have a right to use assumes you still have the right - I'm not a lawyer but I wouldn't make that assumption. If the license includes the need for activation then, when the company goes bust, the rights to the software will pass onto others - if the new owners decide not to continue with the activation servers it's their right; AFAIK cracking any protection scheme would be illegal (under US law anyway). As said above, if you don't like it, don't buy it. A PDA is a convenience for the vast majority of users - life would continue without it.

[alt236]

But nonetheless ir IS a worry (its part of the vendor lock-in problem, and why open formats are being adopted for important documents).
Maybe MS is not a good example really since it won't disapear but think about smaller companies (especially palm companies).
Plus, if the company lo longer exists, there is no-one to enforce a license (hence the term abandonware). If there is no entity (person or company) to aquire the copyright of the software then in effect there is no "owner" to produce licenses or peprive you from one.
I do understand the problem with the DMCA though. Although there is a similar provision this: "Computer programs protected by dongles that prevent access due to malfunction or damage and which are obsolete. A dongle shall be considered obsolete if it is no longer manufactured or if a replacement or repair is no longer reasonably available in the commercial marketplace. (Revised from a similar exemption approved in 2003.)" (Wikipedia). It affects only dongles but it can be logicaaly extended for obsolete s/w as well.

[stevec]

I've not yet got any Palm apps that rely on continuous activation. I do have Worldmate Pro that goes online at each day's HotSync to download latest weather, exchange rates, flights, etc. - if they went out of business that service would stop but theirs is an annual subscription so it's quite clear what you're paying for. As for teh rest of the Palm software, it's all relatively inexpensive (even the regular $9.95 for Agendus upgrades isn't something that bothers me - in fact, if it means that iambic are more likely to stay in business, it's a good move as far as I'm concerned).

If you think of software in a similar way to many other purchases, you don't expect it to last forever. How many people take their kettle in and expect a free replacement element after a couple of years - come to that, how many people even bother paying for one - most just buy another kettle - it's become a disposable commodity.

Regarding ownership when a firm goes bust, most firms going bust have creditors who share out whatever assets are remaining. Software is amongst those assets and, whilst you may not know who now owns the rights to the program you have, somebody does - and theft/piracy is still theft/piracy even without the name of the person it's stolen from.

Finally, I have a program called BrainForest - it used to be sold by Apportis - they went under but the program, because it was a good one, was taken on by UltraSoft and is still supported (in fact, the new owners even produced an upgrade). All is not necessarily lost...

[Cyker]

As this is getting waaay off-topic, I think we should move this to another thread... ;)

[SoS]

As this is getting waaay off-topic, I think we should move this to another thread... ;)

agreed....
;)

[stevec]

Yes, we do seem to have drifted off! I think I've said all I have to say, though so, unless the sysop wants to prune this thread, let's pass the baton onto those discussing (what was it?) - oh yes, the Resco Explorer update. Good program - got it and use it regularly.

[Church Punk]

sos! u r still alive!!!