Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: Hardware Lock or Sim

----- Original Message -----
From: Fred Smith <imserv@...>
>---- I have also heard some horror stories
> about people using older versions of Mastercam that could not upgrade
> their computers because the dongles could not be used on Windows, or
> newer OS's and the upgrade cost was about the same as buying a new
> seat of Mastercam. I always wondered if the versions of MasterCam
> that were included with Centroid controls were in this category.
> Does anybody know if my suspicions are correct?
>
> Best Regards,
>
> Fred Smith
> IMService

I recall the Mastercam rep telling me that their product was started by some
people that fell out from Cadkey. Same rep told me that the Centroid
version is not supported by the Mastercam reps and cannot be upgraded. He
obviously had hard feelings about the relationship between Centroid and
Mastercam.

If you really want to get burned, by software published by McGraw-Hill. I
bought a CD Encyclopedia of Electronic Circuits from Jameco, not realizing
it was McGraw-Hill. For $100 I got a disk full of poorly documented twenty
year old circuit fragments, most of which were copied from old product
guides.

On this same disk is a circuit analysis program you can purchase by calling
(credit card in hand) for an unlock code. You must load the program first,
whereupon it gives you a code that you in turn give to the phone drone.
Then you get an unlock code that only works one time. If your machine
crashes you have to go through the procedure again. When sales drop
McGraw-Hill will drop the phone line you are out of luck. Given
McGraw-Hill's circuitous phone system, that won't be long.

Doug Harrison