rec.autos.simulators

by **Larr** » Mon, 03 Feb 2003 13:46:50

This is way OT, but I found it very interesting...

I went to CompUSA today for the dreaded yearly purchase of Tax software, and
I saw something that really caught my eye.

The Intuit TurboTax end-caps and display stands were full to the brim.
Barely a box was missing.

On the other hand, the TaxCut displays were low on stock.

It seems that some really pissed off computer users who do their taxes on
their computers are voting with their wallets, and telling Intuit exactly
where they can stick their troublesome, intrusive "Product Activation" copy
protection.

It will be interesting what excuse they give their share-holders this year.
They will never admit that they blew it and pissed off their core customer
base.

I, of course, purchased Tax Cut for the first time ever and that was my
intention every since I had learned of Intuits stupid maneuvers this year.

Serves them right.

Larry

by **Dave Henri** » Mon, 03 Feb 2003 15:31:11

I've used Turbo Tax for years, I had already chopped up the box and
sent in for the rebates before I had heard about thier new copy-
protection/activation, so I'm stuck with it for this year, but when I'm
done with it...I will be sending Intuit a fairly scathing letter about
their practices and next year I'll be using some other product.
dave henrie

by **frederickso** » Mon, 03 Feb 2003 15:37:07

I will be sending Intuit a fairly scathing letter about

What are they doing now thats makin everyone mad?

by **Larr** » Mon, 03 Feb 2003 16:00:42

They have instituted an online product activation system that makes the one
in Windows XP look tame by comparision.

It's causing no end of problems for people, especially since those that have
already bought it had no warning.

One person I read about bought it, had to replace the computer two weeks
later due to a failure in the old one, and now it won't run because it's
calling him a thief saying he already uses it on another computer! As far
as I know he has gotten no satisfaction from Intuit, and he ended up buying
another copy.

Not to mention people are asking what will happen when years down the road,
when they have most likely changed computers, they have to re-install this
years version to submit an updated tax return or something and the damned
thing won't run because it thinks they are cheating.

It's an awful mess, and Intuit is trying politicaly to wiggle themselves out
of it with lip-service, but no one is buying.

And get this. When you remove TurboTax, the Macrovision Activation based
Copy-Protection is NOT removed.

BTW... In case you didn't know, from what I hear Quicken 2003 contains the
same Activation-based copy protection but I have not been able to verify
this.

I will not be upgrading beyond Quicken 2002 for this very reason.

Larry

by **Dave Henri** » Mon, 03 Feb 2003 17:57:50

> They have instituted an online product activation system that makes
> the one in Windows XP look tame by comparision.

> It's causing no end of problems for people, especially since those
> that have already bought it had no warning.

> One person I read about bought it, had to replace the computer two
> weeks later due to a failure in the old one, and now it won't run
> because it's calling him a thief saying he already uses it on another
> computer! As far as I know he has gotten no satisfaction from Intuit,
> and he ended up buying another copy.

> Not to mention people are asking what will happen when years down the
> road, when they have most likely changed computers, they have to
> re-install this years version to submit an updated tax return or
> something and the damned thing won't run because it thinks they are
> cheating.

> It's an awful mess, and Intuit is trying politicaly to wiggle
> themselves out of it with lip-service, but no one is buying.

> And get this. When you remove TurboTax, the Macrovision Activation
> based Copy-Protection is NOT removed.

> BTW... In case you didn't know, from what I hear Quicken 2003 contains
> the same Activation-based copy protection but I have not been able to
> verify this.

> I will not be upgrading beyond Quicken 2002 for this very reason.

> Larry

>> I will be sending Intuit a fairly scathing letter about
>> > their practices and next year I'll be using some other product.
>> > dave henrie

>> What are they doing now thats makin everyone mad?

They have issued a patch that will eliminate the hidden copy protection
files, but that also renders the program useless. Apparently, they plan to
free the program from copy protection in November. (so users can reload it
at a later date for changes or corrections)
One of the paticualarly *** effects of the Copy protection was the
placement of files OUTSIDE the normal range of harddrive formatting. So if
you formatted your harddrive and completely wiped out everything,..the
Intuit copy protection would still be there.
dave henrie

by **Uwe hoover Schuerkam** » Mon, 03 Feb 2003 19:59:52

> I've used Turbo Tax for years, I had already chopped up the box and
> sent in for the rebates before I had heard about thier new copy-
> protection/activation, so I'm stuck with it for this year, but when I'm
> done with it...I will be sending Intuit a fairly scathing letter about
> their practices and next year I'll be using some other product.
> dave henrie

I wish everybody would take Dave's advice and done the same
about Windows XP... tell Billy to stick it up his rear and stop
their invasion on user privacy. The world (or taker culture,
for that matter ;-) would probably be a better place.

Regards,
uwe

--
mail replies to Uwe at schuerkamp dot de ( yahoo address is spambox)
Uwe Schuerkamp //////////////////////////// http://www.schuerkamp.de/
Herford, Germany \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ (52.0N/8.5E)
GPG Fingerprint: 2E 13 20 22 9A 3F 63 7F 67 6F E9 B1 A8 36 A4 61

by **David Er** » Mon, 03 Feb 2003 20:35:52

Same here in Canada with Intuit's Quicktax for Canadian taxes (also CanTax
is a Intuit product as well with activation). I happened to read the *inner*
flap of the box where they tell you about Product Activation (its not on the
outside where you can read it before you buy) before I clicked the "I
accept" in the product agreement. Returned it for a refund which is
difficult in Canada for an opened box.

If software houses are going towards using product activation schemes then
they need to get their act together and provide "one stop shopping". They
should all use the same criteria as Windows XP and I shpould be able to get
clearance for use with one toll free phone call. It would save them money
and save me having to hassle with amatuer help.

Since all the offline tax software in Canada is controlled by Intuit I'm
going the online route this year with Ufile at http://www.ufile.ca/. It will
convert the previous years Quicktax personal data too. Just
have to remember to do it before the big end of April rush.

David

by **Jan Verschuere** » Mon, 03 Feb 2003 21:04:30

Hey, I'm not big on privacy and even I haven't upgraded yet! <g>

Jan.
=---

by **Positive** » Mon, 03 Feb 2003 21:52:40

> One of the paticualarly *** effects of the Copy protection was the
> placement of files OUTSIDE the normal range of harddrive formatting. So
if
> you formatted your harddrive and completely wiped out everything,..the
> Intuit copy protection would still be there.
> dave henrie

You mean they dump stuff into the boot sector? I'd love to see how they did
this.

by **Positive** » Mon, 03 Feb 2003 21:53:55

XP's product activation is not difficult, extremely easy (couple of mouse
clicks online big deal) and they actually have people on the phone that you
can talk to to fix things.

by **Positive** » Mon, 03 Feb 2003 21:55:46

Thanks for the tip Dave! I'll spread this around.
Does anyone know if TurboTax available in Canada?

by **bertr** » Tue, 04 Feb 2003 00:26:50

From everything I've read, Quicken2003 isn't worth upgrading to in any event....

> They have instituted an online product activation system that makes the one
> in Windows XP look tame by comparision.

> It's causing no end of problems for people, especially since those that have
> already bought it had no warning.

> One person I read about bought it, had to replace the computer two weeks
> later due to a failure in the old one, and now it won't run because it's
> calling him a thief saying he already uses it on another computer! As far
> as I know he has gotten no satisfaction from Intuit, and he ended up buying
> another copy.

> Not to mention people are asking what will happen when years down the road,
> when they have most likely changed computers, they have to re-install this
> years version to submit an updated tax return or something and the damned
> thing won't run because it thinks they are cheating.

> It's an awful mess, and Intuit is trying politicaly to wiggle themselves out
> of it with lip-service, but no one is buying.

> And get this. When you remove TurboTax, the Macrovision Activation based
> Copy-Protection is NOT removed.

> BTW... In case you didn't know, from what I hear Quicken 2003 contains the
> same Activation-based copy protection but I have not been able to verify
> this.

> I will not be upgrading beyond Quicken 2002 for this very reason.

> Larry

> > I will be sending Intuit a fairly scathing letter about
> > > their practices and next year I'll be using some other product.
> > > dave henrie

> > What are they doing now thats makin everyone mad?

by **bertr** » Tue, 04 Feb 2003 00:37:24

Larry,

Can you elaborate a bit on the Macrovision based copy protection that's left on
your system even after Turbotax is removed? What are the possible problems that
it could cause on a PC? Possible CD-reading problems (similar to what some
users experienced with N4), or something else?

Just trying to get the complete picture on this.

Thanks!
Bert