Pace InterLok - 4.1.5

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I can speak authoritatively as developer who has used Pace InterLok since the late 1980's. It is, in my opinion, one of the best engineered pieces of Mac software available.

(NOTE: my experience is limited to the SOFTWARE InterLok, not the dongle. I can't comment on the InterLok dongle because Pace didn't have that product when we protected with dongles. But let me opine that a developer who uses a dongle -- and I have in the past -- is a developer that has been DRIVEN to that extreme form of copy protection by extreme piracy).

Of course, if your goal is to rip off software, you're not going to like this kind of tool. But for software companies, where copy protection of some kind is the only way we stay in business, we are blessed to have a company as professional and dedicated as Pace who continue to develop and improved their software, and take the end user's needs into account.

In the late 80's and early 90's, there were substantial problems with all manner of copy protection -- including Pace's offerings. Back then, we also shipped on floppies which had their share of reliability problems. Viruses and hard disk optimizers also messed up a user's installations.

But those problems are virtually gone. Today, you can practically erase your hard disk and STILL not lose an install! We set up our users so that even if they lose an install -- a very difficult thing to accomplish nowadays -- they can simply connect to our license server which will automatically restore their install AT NO COST.

Recently, there were problems with Pace InterLok and Apple's release of Mac OS X 10.4.9. Pace quickly uncovered the source of the problem -- Apple's own sloppiness in their own update_prebinding tool. Pace quickly provided workarounds, followed by updated drivers that automatically worked around the problem. Apple has yet to clean up the myriad of problems introduced with 10.4.9 -- most of which affect the non-InterLok user.

If you're an end user who has Pace InterLok protected software, you should THANK them. They have produce a RELIABLE, cost-effective method of reducing piracy which has helped to keep the cost of YOUR software purchases AFFORDABLE. Don't be scared into not updating your drivers -- their new drivers support 10.4.9 and beyond, including Leopard.

This is NOT software that does anything malicious. I can't say the same for those who break copy protection, enabling others to steal copyrighted works.

If you're a developer, I can only suggest you try out their tools. Simple solutions, especially home-grown copy protection methods, are broken in minutes. That is not the case with Pace InterLok.

Ultimately, the software buying public has been well served by Pace. But maybe you don't know that -- because you have never had a problem.

Like other reviewers I am a working muso/ radio program producer. This has gone from a nightmare to a frightmare. Never has one device caused so much anxiety and problems. There is so much that could be said but I think it would be censored because my choice of language would not be pretty. IF the PACE people ever take the time out to read these notes ..... a POX on you and your product. Anti-piracy is one thing, your product has even screwed up garageband!!!!. and it doesn't end there.<P> Not happy :(