Hi John, 

Thanks for the information. 

May I ask what speaks against a USB hub?
Removing the dongle is not suggested, it should always be connected (that's the whole idea). 

Best, 
Paul

Paul,

"What speaks against a USB Hub?"  If I understand the question correctly, you're asking "Why don't I just leave the dongle in the USB hub and never move it?

As I stated previously, I have only one  USB port on my computer.  I cannot plug in more than one device without using a HUB.  It has to be a powered hub to allow use of keyboard, breath controller, and this loathed dongle.  This means I can't take my computer anywhere away from the HUB without disconnecting it.  On top of this, I spend much of my time on-the-go, and would like to be able to work wherever I am.  Are you suggesting I should always keep a USB hub attached to my computer?  How is it possible for me to not disconnect?  If I don't ever disconnect, how do I keep power provided to it, prevent overheating, and keep it from breaking off if I bump into something?

I can't imagine I'm the only artist who needs to work on-the-go like this.  Does everyone keep their laptops powered on with the dongle plugged in everywhere they go?  In this day and age aren't there many people who want to be able to work on-the-go?  If the Vienna Library does not allow a disconnect and reconnect from the USB dongle without a reboot, it kills the dream of effectively working that way.

This USB device is already such a pain.  Seriously, Paul, I don't mean to be a jerk, but I hate it so much.  I love your software, love your instruments, love your demos, the company's passion, etc. but can't tell you how much I hate this thing that I have to constantly worry about losing and breaking and sticks out of the side of my computer, and causes your software to constantly crash.

Are you really asking me to find a different solution rather than fixing the crash?

I do vent, but in all seriousness, I'm open to ideas.  I still deal with this every day and as a software dev myself I know that issues like this aren't always easy.  My guess is that it's a Steinberg plugin that you have to coordinate with them to get fixed. Would it help if I complained to them?  Or send me the source code and I'll just fix it ;)

It has gotten slightly better in that I've simply been shutting down every time I have to go anywhere lately.  This has at least been effective in preventing lost work, but ugh!  It's still 10 extra minutes every time I go to work, come home from work, go downstairs, go back up stairs, take my daughter to the libaray.  I could go on and on.  It's killing me Paul.  Please help!!

Thanks and best,

-John

Hi John, 

I understand your situation. 

I also have to say how much I love the fact that every single software developer I know believes he can fix every software in a heartbeat, if only he can get to the source-code.
I call it the "MOTU-syndrom" (Master of the Universe). 

It's great to work on the go, and I do that as well, with 2 USB ports on my laptop and an unpowered USB hub connected. Works well. I don't work while I walk, though, so I never bump into things. 

A hardware key is the only working protection for niche products like ours, that's how we see it. 

I will see what can be done. Please bear in mind that this is the first (!) complaint about this specific problem in more than 10 years with eLicenser. 

Best, 
Paul

@Paul said:

It's great to work on the go, and I do that as well, with 2 USB ports on my laptop and an unpowered USB hub connected. Works well. I don't work while I walk, though, so I never bump into things. 

😃😃😃 

Love your sense of humour Paul.  I laughed out loud on that one. Thanks

"Work while I walk."  I tried working while swimming once.  Well, let me tell you, that was a disaster😛

My apologies to John for having a little fun but I just couldn't resist.  I understand your frustrations and I sincerely hope that you find a solution to your unique problem.  But if I know Paul I can assure you that he is working diligently on this issue. 

Actually, I don't know Paul from a hole in the wall but I do know that he is one of the hardest working employees VSL has.  I don't care what Dietz says about him.   

Thanks for the replies and interest all.  I do believe this issue will affect others if it hasn't already as computers are only getting smaller and more powerful.

You joke about wlaking and working.  I don't do that, but I was driving once with my computer on the seat beside me with the Vienna key plugged in and a truck in front of me slammed on his breaks.  As I reacted, hitting my brakes, It was like slow motion watching my computer fly off the seat and land on the floor.  I almost had a heart attack.  I have never prayed so hard that nothing was damaged, and luckily nothing was, but what pains I might then have faced?  This issue is real man!

Also, Master-of-the-Universe syndrome is real and I have it bad :)

Thanks again.  Hope to hear from you soon, and for real, please let me know if there is anything I can do to help in anyway.

-John

@jasensmith said:

I don't care what Dietz says about him.

@jasensmith said:

I don't care what Dietz says about him.

LAJ

It's a unique bit of American humour where you're complementing somebody and having some fun with him, and Dietz, at the same time.  Sorry.

Paul,

Dietz isn't saying anything derogatory about you behind your back.  At least not to me he's not.  I was just having a little fun.  Not sure if everybody gets the humour though. 

I had a great laugh 😊

On the topic of USB hubs. If you're working on a laptop and trying to use a couple of USB-3 ssd plus the hardware key one of these is needed. I was also very concerned about the mechanical issues in having a rigid extension with thousands of dollars worth of licenses, etc. attached, so I looked around and found a hub that attaches by means of a flexible cable.

Crikey, this is frightening. I joined because I couldn't find the product prices. Hoped to be given a link.

But if this sort of thing happens it would be angrily frustrating to lose one's work but worse when deadlines are threatened. 

One might have hoped that after all these years VSL had implemented a software key/sign in. Just about every other software product in the world has except these music outfits. I too have only one USB socket on the computer on which I compose. Worse, having to pay over £20 for a memory stick. What's it's capacity? 500Mbs?

Ah well....

The eLicenser Dongle is not a memory stick and can't used as one. It's single purpose is to verify the licenses you are trying to use.

Whatever it is, this thread suggests it's also the creator of problems that could be creatively destructive. My current orchestral software uses a computer based ilok. If it's a nuisnace at all, if I want to use it on another computer I have to sign out of one and into the other. If I recall, even Cubase now uses a computer ilok.  

No, Cubase (and all other Steinberg products) uses eLicenser because eLicenser is owned by Steinberg. VSL licenses this technology from Steinberg.