usb hard disc

[Piff]

I've recently bought a couple of bits of (quite expensive) software which integrate with each other. One of them also links to "Word" & "Excel"
The licence with the software restricts it's use to one user on one machine.

What I'm considering technically breaks the licence but would allow me (1 user) a bit of flexibility. I normally use a desktop machine and this is where I would normally install the software. Occasionally I may need to use the software on a laptop. The company concerned have agreed that it is possible to uninstall the software from the desktop & install it on the laptop and visa-versa.

I'm considering installing it on a usb hard disc which would normally be connected to the desktop but for those occasional uses I could un-plug it and connect it to the laptop.

My questions:-
Would a usb hard disc seriously slow the use of the software rather than a SATA 2 internal hard disc?
With the operating system (win XP - soon to be upgraded), Word & Excel on the internal hard disc, would the software integrate ok?
Are there any other problems I haven't thought of?

 

[markjay]

If you are bending over backwards to stay legit, I am not sure that what you propose will do the trick, because technically you will still have to properly uninstall the software to comply, not just move the external HDD, which you are not planning to do (an 'installed' software will still have some bits on the local HDD and in the Registry).

So if you care about legality, then use it on one PC at the time.

If you don't, then install it on both PCs at the same time (not a recommendation, just an observation).

But while what you are proposing might work, it is uncesessarilry complicated and won't achieve your goal (to stay legit) - unless the developers specifically say it is OK to do so, which I doubt they will.

 

[Piff]

Not 100% concerned about being legit - more about being within the spirit of the licence by only being 1 user on 1 machine at a time.
Just wondering how well it would work.

 

[gaz_l]

The software licence sounds a bit harsh - even the £4K CAD software I use at work allows me to install it on 2 devices (1 fixed, 1 mobile) - in effect allowing me to use my laptop when I'm away from my desk. I've bent the rules on occasion and run it on both simultaneously with no problems, although I don't know whether the licence server would put up with that indefinitely - I suspect not.

How does the licence for your software authenticate? I still remember the days of software dongles, but nearly everything these days needs a connection to t'internet..

Cheers,

Gaz

 

[markjay]

Not hamerring the point in... but the license is per device, and a device will be defined in EULA as a PC, not an external HDD. So it will not be in the spirit of the license anyway...

Said that, yes it would be slower, but it should work. However, it is interesting to see what will happen if you try running it while the HDD is not present - it may be 'clever' enough to change some default values meaning it won't work again, but I don't know.

 

[Sp!ke]

I'd be surprised if it works..

You need to consider the registry on a windows machine.

Better surely to install it on your desktop and use teamviewer or similar to connect to your desktop remotely from your laptop when needed.

 

[Piff]

teamviewer

teamviewer?

edit:
just googled that - could be the way to go!

is it as easy as they claim?

only issue may be that the laptop would need an internet connection which may be a problem on the move.

 

[John]

Even Microsoft allow you to install Office on 1 desktop and 1 laptop with 1 licence.

 

[Sp!ke]

teamviewer?

edit:
just googled that - could be the way to go!

is it as easy as they claim?

only issue may be that the laptop would need an internet connection which may be a problem on the move.

Yes it is that easy.

How often do you use a pc now without an internet connection? Wost case you can tether off your mobile phone to get on the web.

 

[markjay]

Even Microsoft allow you to install Office on 1 desktop and 1 laptop with 1 licence.

Yes they do.

But not with every version of the license. Some types of Office licenses do not permit it.

But this is the crux of it. The developers can license their software whichever way they want.

And these people clearly do not permit use of one license on two PCs.

 

[markjay]

Yes it is that easy.

How often do you use a pc now without an internet connection? Wost case you can tether off your mobile phone to get on the web.

...or do it the other way around, i.e. install the software on the laptop, and connect to it from the desktop.

Incidentally, TeamViewer is free for non-commercial use.

 

[John]

Yes they do.

But not with every version of the license. Some types of Office licenses do not permit it.

But this is the crux of it. The developers can license their software whichever way they want.

And these people clearly do not permit use of one license on two PCs.

No, not with all. Office Standard and Pro you can. The home versions often allow installation on 3 computers...

 

[V12]

I've installed libreoffice on my home desktop and in some ways I'm starting to prefer it to Microsoft office. The price difference might have psychologically swayed me anyway...

I'm not a serious power user of office though.
A little bit of excel a few times a week and use of word maybe once a month.