Evaluating BYE Trial Without an Internet Connection

[zvogt]

Hello,

I have just this week downloaded and installed the BackyardEOS v3.1.17 trial and I was looking forward to taking it for a test drive up north this week with my 6D Mark II.  However, this evening when I fired up my laptop away from home this evening without an internet connection to run some tests, I am greeted with a the 2 messages (attached) stating that I cannot use the application in trial mode without an internet connection.  REALLY?!?!  I'm traveling almost 4 hrs to a remote dark sky location without so much as a light bulb for miles (let alone broadband wireless), which renders this trial useless?!

Is there a way around this?

[admin]

This is correct, an Internet connection is needed for all trial keys.  Purchase keys do not need Internet, not even for the initial validation.  

This change took place about 4 or 5 years ago due to several users trying to circumvent the trial by changing their computer date; the date check is always done against the server now.

The check is only done at application startup.  What I've recommended in the past is to start a few BYE instances on your computer where Internet is available (perhaps from home before leaving) and minimize those instances except the one you are going to use.  The other instances are simply there in case you need to close the application for some reason... this way you already have a few other more instances you can use as a safety precaution.  Obviously you'll need to put your computer to sleep and not shut it down completely so you dontt loose your instances.  I hope this makes sense.

I recognize this is not ideal, but it's how the licensing server works for trial keys and the above is the only work-around I have found to work over the years.

Regards,

[zvogt]

(Deep sigh of relief)

This is great news, so the app simply verifies time against the back-end server upon startup and is then fully operational after this occurs.  Phew!  Thanks so much for the quick reply!  Looking forward to shooting with BYE for the first time later this week!

Thanks again!

[admin]

1 hour ago, zvogt said:

(Deep sigh of relief)

This is great news, so the app simply verifies time against the back-end server upon startup and is then fully operational after this occurs.  Phew!  Thanks so much for the quick reply!  Looking forward to shooting with BYE for the first time later this week!

Thanks again!

Yes, this is correct.  If push comes to shove you can tether your laptop to your mobile for 2 minutes (provided you have a data plan and mobile reception), start a few instances to BYE, minimize all but one, then un-tether your mobile 

Regards,

[s3igell]

Suggestion:

Familiarize yourself with the Connection and Operation of BYE at your Kitchen Table (no need for full Scope Setup or even Darkness - just attach a Lens or T-Ring and Scope).  Ensure that your USB Connection will transfer Images to the Laptop (sometimes an issue with Poor Cabling or Bad Laptop USB Ports etc).  And ensure that you have identified the Camera Settings which need to be Set/Unset in order to allow Operation while you have full access to the Internet for access to this Forum.  (Also use Search for "6D Mark II"/"6DmkII" and maybe the other high-end Canon DSLRs "5Dmk4"/"7DmkII" etc, to see what issues have been answered for other users - especially if you will be So Far Away from Internet Connectivity.)

No one would want a Spoiled Trip for anything that might have been solved with a little bit of Kitchen Table testing...

[admin]

Also, always key a copy of your license key and identifier handy on your computer.  If you travel far enough  across time zones the license server may request that you re-validate your key... having a copy in a text file on your computer may be a life save as well.

Regards,