Cutlist plus - how to activate?

[Darrell Henze]

Hey all, Based on the large number of positive comments on this newsgroup and a need to do are fair number of cabinet projects, I just ordered the Cutlist plus software and should get the CD and print manual in a few days.... In the mean time, I can't seem to find anyway to use my registration code I received in a confirmation email from the Company to "activate" the software so I can use it with more than the 5 parts allowed in the free trial version. Do I have to wait for some secret code and secret ket press combination that comes in the box with the manual and CD? Anyone recently activate theirs and remember how it goes? There appears to be no hint on their website at all about this. Thanks in advance.

-D

[Swingman]

You should have received an "activation code" and, IIRC, you enter it somewhere in the Help/Activate Program menu.

Also keep your "proof of purchase number" handy ... you will need it for the updates as they become available.

[Swingman]

Used to be Todd used an "activation code", but it looks like he moved away from that. I've had so many versions and updates down through the years that I can't remember what's what.

I just checked mine and the "proof of purchase number" is apparently what is required for activation now, same menu: Help/Activate Program.

[Darrell Henze]

Swingman, Thanks for checking. It seems we might still have different versions somehow. My help/about menu tells me I have version 2005.4 R which I downloaded from the bridgewood design site today. However, I have no Help/ activate program item in the menus just Help/Purchase program. This is where I got stumped since I have the proof of purchase number I was sent via email after my online order, I just can't figure out where to put it. -D

[no(SPAM)vasys]

According to the on-line manual on Page 5:

to the Help menu and there should be an "Activate Program" entry on the pull-down menu.

[Leon]

IIRC you "no longer" activate the trial ware version. You have to use the CD to install the program in the capacity that you have purchased.

An e-mail to Todd usually gets quick and correct response.

[Swingman]

If there is a link in the Help/Purchase program menu, I would follow that and do another download, then go from there.

If that doesn't work, you might want to also try going to the update page and see if your proof of purchase will allow you to download an update for your current installation ... do it anyway.

If that fails, e-mail Todd ... he generally responds within a few hours during the work week and will have you up and running quickly.

[Leon]

IIRC you can only download the trial version now. If you buy you have to use the CD to load the expanded version.

[Swingman]

I am surprised. In this day and age, that's downright regression. The program is not that big of a download. The inability to buy on-line and not be able to download immediately doesn't make much business sense for that class of software, IMO.

[Leon]

That's what I was thinking but it seems it would be easer to control which computers that the program gets installed on. If any one can down load the program and has access to the key they can get away with out paying for the program. If you must have the CD, that would make it harder to share with the world. I am not 100% sure about this but I recall Todd sending me the CD and for some reason I again down loaded and installed the trial version. I was unable to use CLP in any capacity except trial after that. I had to reinstall from the CD again. IIRC Todd explained that only the trial version is available on line.

[Swingman]

It's that kind of fear that has driven the 'digital rights management' paranoid to kill technological advances in many areas, like book publishing. There are plenty of activation code schema's that key to the specific computer/hardware configurations.

Todd needs to start thinking more like Steve Jobs and less like Roxio if he wants to ultimately succeed in the new technology era.