If I've amazed anyone, that is a lot more than I intended by pointing out that there is something to be said for making up one's own mind, and that licensing is not a concept unique to Ariane. I don't think I have gone so far as to say their reactivation scheme is a good plan, merely that I have my doubts it would be applied if my computer broke and I found myself explaining that to them. Of course, as a fool who traded with Ariane in the first place, my opinions should be discounted as the ramblings of a mental defective, especially since I have found things to enjoy about Captain Sim products, as well. My enjoyment of PMDGs 737, 747 and MD-11, and Leondardo's Maddog, and Coolsky's MD Super 80 Pro and any number of other approved products, is inexplicable, except even a broken clock is right twice a day.

Hehe.........I like that clock part.

If that's your business model Ariane, good luck with it. Nobody ever won an argument with a customer. As for me, I'll wait for PMDG.

Me too, I'm also glad I came across this thread as a I was about to get out my credit card following that favourable Avsim review. I have had several system reinstalls this year due to hardware failures and with Windows 7 on the way there are going to be more. Clearly Ariane are a company to stay well clear of no matter how good or otherwise their products are.Bruceb

Me too, I'm also glad I came across this thread as a I was about to get out my credit card following that favourable Avsim review. I have had several system reinstalls this year due to hardware failures and with Windows 7 on the way there are going to be more. Clearly Ariane are a company to stay well clear of no matter how good or otherwise their products are.Bruceb

Here too, another FINALLY ready to purchase the 900ER after reading the review. I shall not now do so either.I don't care how good a product is, with an attitude like that, I just can't bring myself to give them that much money.Shame, I was looking forward to it.Think i'll get the maddog instead then.

I don't think I have gone so far as to say their reactivation scheme is a good plan, merely that I have my doubts it would be applied if my computer broke and I found myself explaining that to them.

Well, from this thread it looks like at least some users are being charged for reactivation, and other requests are met with flat-out refusal.

Of course, as a fool who traded with Ariane in the first place, my opinions should be discounted as the ramblings of a mental defective, especially since I have found things to enjoy about Captain Sim products, as well.

Seems to me you are saying that the critics must have some sort of agenda, maybe from some old grudge against Ariane? Well I don't, I just find their re-activation policy unacceptable. Change it to something more aligned with what others (e.g. PMDG, Flight1, HiFi, Leonardo, Microsoft) are doing and I'll buy their 737.

Well, from this thread it looks like at least some users are being charged for reactivation, and other requests are met with flat-out refusal.Seems to me you are saying that the critics must have some sort of agenda, maybe from some old grudge against Ariane? Well I don't, I just find their re-activation policy unacceptable. Change it to something more aligned with what others (e.g. PMDG, Flight1, HiFi, Leonardo, Microsoft) are doing and I'll buy their 737.

I generally don't have a problem saying what I think, so don't try to hard to figure out what I seem to be saying. I'm saying exactly what I'm saying, no more and no less. If we disagree, that's okay. Life is full of risks. If the merits of the product do not strike you as worth the risk that Ariane may exercise its option to charge for a reactivation, then don't buy it. Is there really any more to be teased out of this?

And, Toni, I think you'll find most software is covered by a EULA, which does not confer the complete bundle of rights we ordinarily associate with "ownership" so licensing is not something Ariane dreamed up. When you depend on the company staying in business for reactivation, you are indeed assuming a risk that your interest might last longer than theirs. But a lot of companies rely on confirmation from HQ in a reactivation, and sometimes not even after a hardware change.

TimI'm well aware that most software companies use EULAs as opposed to outright ownership, but I am not aware of any, other than Ariane, who arbitrarilly charge for reactivation (dependant on their whims).I recently had to reinstall everything after a total hard-drive failure. One FS add-on was the Level-D 767 purchased through Flight-1.A simple procedure for reactivation caused a slight 'glitch' as I couldn't remember which credit card I used for the original purchase, compounded by a new email address (after also changing my I.S.P.)I sent off a request simply outlining my 'problems' but giving total proof of the original purchase and got the necessary codes to reinstall by return. No fuss, no threats, no expected 'gratitude to the girls' or '...upgrade to support the community' b*llsh*t. Just polite and free help as one can expect from a bona-fide business.You'd think, after years of bad publicity etc, that Ariane would heed comments and threads like these, but it appears that although the product has good reviews overall, they're still using their old tricks and tactics to get money out of people and even using the good reviews to strengthen their arrogance. This has NOTHING to do with software piracy protection - this is simply a way of getting more cash out of 'an unsuspecting public'.Toni.

Is there really any more to be teased out of this?

Tim, I understand if you are growing weary of posting on this topic. You have definitely made your point - at great length. :( You seem to be saying (oops, there I go again) that if we dislike Arianes reactivation policy we should not buy the product and leave it at that. I happen to disagree with that last bit - I think it is a good discussion, might even lead to Ariane changing their ways. Ok with you?

Tim, I understand if you are growing weary of posting on this topic. You have definitely made your point - at great length. :( You seem to be saying (oops, there I go again) that if we dislike Arianes reactivation policy we should not buy the product and leave it at that. I happen to disagree with that last bit - I think it is a good discussion, might even lead to Ariane changing their ways. Ok with you?

If getting Ariane to change its policy is the goal, any indication of a willingness to change, however fitful, recent or laced with attitude, is an encouraging sign that bears at least some cultivation. Also, reserving an option and exercising that option are two different things. If you think the tone of these posts is likely to encourage a respectful dialogue with the company, then this is yet another thing we can disagree on.Also, I choose to read "Ok with you?" as a friendly, genuine question addressed with respect to a fellow AVSIM forum poster. The answer is: "Yes! It is fine with me!"

Tim, I understand if you are growing weary of posting on this topic. You have definitely made your point - at great length. :( You seem to be saying (oops, there I go again) that if we dislike Arianes reactivation policy we should not buy the product and leave it at that. I happen to disagree with that last bit - I think it is a good discussion, might even lead to Ariane changing their ways. Ok with you?

What I am saying is that Ariane's Term and Conditions are openly available before you buy and they clearly set out Ariane's position. If, despite them, you then choose to buy then you can't complain when Ariane applies those Terms and Condtions.

Well, from this thread it looks like at least some users are being charged for reactivation, and other requests are met with flat-out refusal.Seems to me you are saying that the critics must have some sort of agenda, maybe from some old grudge against Ariane? Well I don't, I just find their re-activation policy unacceptable. Change it to something more aligned with what others (e.g. PMDG, Flight1, HiFi, Leonardo, Microsoft) are doing and I'll buy their 737.

One is assuming some element of risk even with the above companies, any one of whom may wind up going out of business. As a case in point, should Flight1 ever close down, how many companies' products would be adversely affected? Keep in mind that many "independent payware companies" rely on the Flight1 Wrapper system for online license validation, but host the downloadable files on their own servers.

One is assuming some element of risk even with the above companies, any one of whom may wind up going out of business. As a case in point, should Flight1 ever close down, how many companies' products would be adversely affected? Keep in mind that many "independent payware companies" rely on the Flight1 Wrapper system for online license validation, but host the downloadable files on their own servers.

Absolutely. If I understand the new "Rise of Flight" ww1 combat sim correctly, that's even worse because the game (sorry, sim) cannot be used at all without a continuous server connection. But until someone comes up with a better scheme to protect against software piracy, what Flight1 and others like them are doing seems reasonable. I can reinstall my Flight1 products as often as I like (at least it seems to work that way), with a minimum of fuss and no charge. Somewhat different from Ariane's policy.

i was thinking of getting the 737 from ariana but after reading all this think i wait for the pmdg 737ng to come out plus least u be able to print out he manual since dont know why they made u cant print it out looks like they making a simple thing to hard for everyone dont know how they stay in busness since iam sure if i runa busness like they do i wouldnt last that long without going broke

Some things never change...1. Caveat Emptor2. Those who do not remember history are doomed to repeat it3. There's one born every minuteRegardsBob ScottColonel, USAF (ret)ATP IMEL Gulfstream II-III-IV-VColorado Springs, CO

Hi Tom (topic # 56), I agree with your statement:"I can reinstall my Flight1 products as often as I like (at least it seems to work that way), with a minimum of fuss and no charge."I have products from them as well - their system and policy work well.My major concern with any companies online activation requirement is that my continued ability to use the software depends on the company staying in business! The world economy is a mess and even large well known companies might fail or go through some sort of bankruptcy etc. Imagine if you bought various products from a company which no longer exists - and they previously required online activation in order to install/reinstall. Aside from the loss of money we would suffer, even more important is the loss of some very popular (must have) flight sim addons that we will miss very much.Hopefully no addon sellers will go out of business in which case I'd not have any concerns about online activation. Have a good day Howard

I would have no qualms in circumventing protection systems in software I can no longer use if the company went out of business and I could no longer activate it legitimately.