So I don't need to use WS_FTP terribly often, but when I need it, I need it. So I bought a copy of it a while ago (about two years ago), and it's always worked great. However, today I needed it on Vista. So I found my license key and I downloaded my version and I installed it. However, when I went to run it, I was nicely prompted with a message dialog telling me that their security check wasn't able to run, and so the application terminated.
Let me repeat this. Their security check wasn't able to run, so my legitimate copy of their software is now a paperweight.
This is a prime example of when making your paying customers feel like thieves isn't going over well. I didn't mind having to go thru an activation process to get a license key. I was slightly annoyed by having to go thru a registration process to get that license key, but not too big. But now I can't even use that software. And why? Because of yet another security measure.
I've tried running as admin, and run in compatibility mode. Neither trick has worked. So I looked into a Vista-functional version of their software. Guess what. The only way to get something that works on Vista, I have to pay to upgrade to a new version which also doesn't support Vista. But then, if I email customer support, they will email me a version that does work on Vista. Riiiight.
At least I have Virtual PC through it, XP. But needless to say, that's the last copy of software I buy from Ipswitch.
I had to reread this post a couple tmes to get it as it just sounded way too bizarre. Poor customer service is one way to drive customers away.
And, worse for Ipswitch - How likely are you to recommend their products in the future ?
You might have before but I'd bet you won't any more after this little disaster.
Disaster is an excellent way to put it, too. I was quite shocked when I read the message dialog and fully understood what it meant.
"The Secure Loader used to protect this software has encountered a fatal error. Please contact your software vendor."
What was that serial number, I will see if it works over here.
well, thats why you use FileZilla. Free, Open Source, and works :)
Is there any reason why you aren't using the open source FileZilla? I use it exclusively and never have any problems with it.
Because I've never even heard of it before today, and I've used WS_FTP since I was in college. I'll check it out.
FYI Aaron, when you have some time, just browse the projects at sourceforge for a while. There are so many free applications it's not even funny.. And for a programmer like you I'm sure it would be like disneyland.
Actually, that's why I tend to stay away from F/OSS software. I like support, and I don't like having to fix things myself. What's more, very few OSS projects tend to pay any attention to usability, and so their UIs tend to suck. Not certain if this is the case with this project, but on the whole, I stay away from that sort of thing.
@Aaron,
You could always join up with a F/OSS project and help them with their UI :)
@Adam -- Why don't I just buckle down and write my own OS with my own tool chain and all of my own supporting apps? ;-) Sorry, but I don't mind paying companies to take care of the dirty work for me. I love programming, but when I want to accomplish something, I don't want to spend my time writing software to do it when there's already solid software that does it for me.
SmartFTP is pretty good, it's free but you can pay for it too.
http://www.smartftp.com/
I'm a longtime WS_FTP Pro user also. Just yesterday I contacted Ipswitch about getting a WS_FTP Pro version that ran on Vista and they quickly got it to me.
There is a Vista version of WS_FTP that you can get today.
http://www.ipswitch.com/support/support_for_vista.asp
Yes, but that unfortunately means I have to pay to upgrade since I don't have their latest version to begin with (I've got version 9, not version 2007).
It's $30 or so to upgrade ?
You could always resort to ftp from the command line if you're feeling masochistic.
I'd think your time and frustration level is worth $30
I have a great tutorial on writing your own FTP program. Wanna buy it cheap? .
@Norman -- yes, it's only 30$. However, why the hell should I pay even more to be treated like a criminal? I have a legit copy of their software which I cannot run. The only reason I cannot run it is because of their *security* checks. Except, since I PAID for their software, this security check provides me with no tangible benefits. Instead, this security check prevents me from running software I own a license to.
Imagine if OS X 10.5 comes out and the only way you can use REALbasic is to pay to upgrade. How happy would you be?
Maybe I misread. Isn't the Vista version a paid upgrade from what you own now?
If the old version won't run because their security check fails on Vista it doesn't seem like you have too many choices.
Upgrade and keep using WS_FTP or switch.
The security check is not for YOUR benefit, it's for theirs to prevent piracy I'll bet. It's a sad reality of software these days. People pirate stuff.
I'll agree Ipswitch isn't doing you any favours by forcing you to make that choice and that if I were you I'd be angry as well.
Fortunately for me RB has continued to work even with major OS upgrades.
Woot?! A l33t technogeek like you, using WS_FTP!! Surely you must have heard of FireFTP add on for FireFox... Better make sure .. you are using FireFox right-e-o ?
@Norman -- I know people pirate stuff (I see it quite often). What bothers me about this is that you're right: the reason the application is broken is for Ipswitch's benefit, not mine. Why am I being "punished" so that they can make more money? The reason REALbasic continues to work is because we make major efforts to *ensure* that it does. And when it doesn't work, we make amends with our customers. We don't simply throw our hands up and say "well, now you have to pay us more."
I wouldn't be so mad if some functionality broke, or if it wasn't such a recent purchase. To me, it just feels like a money-grab.
@talk2sk -- Yes, I use FireFox, and no, I've not heard of FireFTP.
@Aaron - And I can understand why you're pissed at ipswitch esp if you just paid for a new version and that won't work on Vista.
Trust me, users of RB appreciate the fact that RB continues to work when new versions of OS's come out.
Think about how many folks are still using 4.5, 5.5 and 2005 on very new releases of OS X and Windows
Can't you use Realbasic to make a FTP client with the features you need?
Of course I can. I can also build my own car so I can drive to the grocery store. But would I *want* to?
Here is my own frustrating experience with the Software Extortionists at Ipswitch.
I linked back to this page, hope that's OK.
http://www.vtweb.net/IpswitchTechSupportSucks.html