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Ask Slashdot: Which Software/Devices Are Unusable Without Connecting to the Internet? (techdirt.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the running-in-the-background dept.

New submitter AlejandroTejadaC writes: Currently, most commercial software and hardware manufactures rely on an internet connection for registering or activating their products and providing additional functionality. In an ideal world this works fine, but in our real world the buyer could lose access to internet for months -- such as in emergency situations like the aftermath of hurricane Maria -- and their products will refuse to work because they need an internet connection. Which companies are using their internet servers as replacements for hardware dongles? I want to see a complete list of software and devices that become completely unusable without a live internet connection. Just remember the infamous case of the Razer Synapse.

5 of 201 comments (clear)

  1. Nothing! by IonOtter · · Score: 5, Interesting

    There is nothing on this planet that I need so badly, that I have to sacrifice it's ability to function if it cannot get on the Internet. If it cannot work on it's own, then it is of no use to me.

    --
    [End Of Line]
  2. TiVo by 93+Escort+Wagon · · Score: 5, Interesting

    You have a two week grace period, but once it runs out of data and is no longer able to verify your paid account status... you've got an oddly shaped brick on your hands.

    --
    #DeleteChrome
  3. Re: Depends on what it does by geekmux · · Score: 5, Interesting

    You prefered the days of USB dongles, license servers and an inability to rent per-minute licenses? I for one didn't I ask companies to add internet connection based licensing, I'm so sick and tired of managing FlexLM servers, replacement dongles and paying $1,000 a year when we desparately need it for 60 minutes.

    I'll take a local license file and FlexLM manager any day over internet-dependent services.

    I can handle one license server having issues, impeding work. I sure as hell don't want to deal with all of my license managers going down if I lose internet service.

    And 60 minutes a year define your usage requirement? I'd outsource that shit.

  4. Linux by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Basically unusable without a constant connection to Stack Overflow.

  5. Google Maps, VoIP Phone by Torin+Darkflight · · Score: 5, Informative

    Yes, you can download maps for offline use in a small area, but if you go outside that pre-defined area OR you didn't download maps for offline use and happen to drive through an extended area with poor or no 4G/3G service, it becomes useless. This is perhaps the most bothersome "no internet connection means it won't work" experience I personally have encountered, and it is the primary reason I still carry a standalone GPS device in my car.

    There's also VoIP phone services, including a lot of the phone services provided by cable ISPs. Lose that connection, and you lose "landline" phone service...and yes, there are still lots of people who use landline phones either by choice or necessity.