I can’t believe that working offline is something the developers have ignored. With a large project you can do without all the stuff running in the background using up CPU, not to mention anti-virus, Windows updaters and other related software. It is surprising what goes on in the background. I turn off all of this stuff to streamline my computer for music creation.
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Ok, I just did a test. If I disable my Ethernet card before I open up my DAW with BFD3 in my project, then BFD3 will not work.
If you start BFD3 with the internet connected and then disable your internet, BFD3 will still work. It seems it just needs to see the internet to start. Not really ideal anyway. What if my internet is down for some time? Then I can’t write/record with BFD3? Kinda not cool.
Yeah… unfortunately, I usually have some kind of internet problems once every few weeks. 
Yeah, I did the same test, but I’m not sure it’ll continue to work. I thought I had seen it fail.
Then in the interests of stability “having” to work on line at all times is a stupid idea. “Choice” being the point here. I am really fed up that no one on the development team is answering these questions. I don’t like being taken for granted. If the BFD team want added security then choose the iLok system, but debate this point with users or see a decline in the user base.
Edit:
It seems that Drew has stated that this offline issue will be resolved in the next update. I have not seen this particular post, so perhaps a positive sign.
I’m sorry, but I don’t want iLok either. I want to be able to use the product I paid for just as I have been doing for the past several years. iLok would be another reason to switch to another product.
I haven’t seen this either. Really would like to see some official word about this here.
The message was, “there is a bug currently where if you’re offline, the auths become inactive”
There are talks to make it so the licence manager dials home every now and then, Drew is trying to make them reconsider this.
That’s pretty much it in a nutshell.
Steve
Well Tone I am afraid there was a little self interest here, as I already have a number of plugins using the iLok system. I have a iLok stick, but you can link to the computer if you wish. However, I do understand your point.
I will simply be done with BFD if this is not changed.
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This is from Celemony’s website: You only need internet access for original activation
Activation Computer-based or iLok USB dongle (2nd or 3rd generation), Melodyne essential only computer-based. Internet access is required for the first activation.
Yes, it’s not a question of being difficult, but if I have to put my DAW online simply to RUN a plugin then that plugin goes…
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Even if it’s once or twice a year?
Steve
Well, I did say ‘put online simply to run…’ I do that more than once a year 
I’m not talking about activation. I’m also concerned about when a business is sold - as in BFD3 - and the activation servers become unavailable. I bought a perpetual licence for BFD2 and now have to upgrade to BFD3 just in case I need to replace my graphics card…there has to be a way of providing a one-off perpetual licence, or an explicit statement in the EULA that, if the business sinks, a non DRM version will be provided. These things cost too much money to be so ephemeral.
If the server goes down, thats the software on borrowed time. If the company goes down, thats the software on borrowed time.
My DAW PC is not on the internet, its kept off the net. I go through months at a time without any internet. This could be quite a pain in the arse
Online checks arent really of benefit to anyone, and just open us up to potential problems. It’ll be a shame if this is a continued path BFD chooses.
Me again! Their website explicitly says that no internet connection is required. So all the chat about what’s acceptable is irrelevant. We don’t need internet access to run the software. They’ve f***ked up and need to fix it and provide what was in the contract at the time of purchase.Everything else is noise
Perhaps they’ll make it a requirement for BFD4 since they can’t change contract mid stream. 
Steve
The release of 3.4 was rushed. So was the migration. Those two needn’t happen simultaneously, yet they did.
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We could have set up our new bfddrums accounts (of inmusic), and the serials could over time amass there. (and not have Drew run a one man show trying to pick up the mess)
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3.4 could have more time for development, so that when it hit, it was a painless and carefree update to existing users (the old clientbase), and a positive and pleasant experience for new users buying in (probably brought over from other inmusic brands). I really don’t understand how such a decision was made to rush the release.
Unless they want to test the waters with us (old clientbase) first, in which case ok, we love BFD, we stand by BFD, we support BFD, we know BFD’s quirks, but always online isn’t one of those quirks. It’s plain bullshit, and I don’t want it. I don’t see what’s the problem with keeping the same protocols in place that were there before.
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What would be the point of being forced to be online as far as BFD is concerned? Is it:
- To monitor client usage
- To monitor bugs and user issues
- To gather information on the clients system and monetise it
None of which I would be happy about.
Despite all the noise about the internet access issue no official from BFD has been on the forum to clarify this issue. If it is not true a simple denial would suffice. The longer we wait the more our concerns grow.
Drew has already said that the always online part for 3.4 is a bug. How fast a 3.4.x can come out… now that’s a different discussion. He’s also said that he’s raising the “occasionally on-line to authorize” issue as a user-experience issue with the owners(?)/management(?)/powers that be(?).
So, unless a 3.4.x comes out, we won’t be rid of always online. At which point I believe we will see where we stand.
In any case, when we purchased BFD, this is what was going on:
##### What kind of copy protection scheme is used? This product features a challenge-response authorization system, with three installs on your own machines allowed simultaneously. * You do NOT need to have an internet connection on the computers on which it is installed. * You must, however, authorize the product before it can be used - there is no 'grace period' after installation. We have tried very hard to make the authorization procedure as pain-free as possible. Please understand that it is necessary for safeguarding your investment in future development and user support. Our products do not use iLok or any other unified protection scheme. We do not believe in such systems' security, and would rather not pass on their costs to our customers.
Also, this:
You can authorize your products in 2 ways: •Using an internet connection on the same computer •Using a web browser and an Authorization Request file to generate an Authorization file - this can be on any other computer
That’s what we bought, I don’t think we have relinquished any of this with our migration to 3.4.
What they do for BFD 4, is yet another discussion. If it’s not a case of 2 minute maintenance once a year, or whenever my system happens to be online, it’s a no-go for me as well.
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