Can Backyard EoS run without internet?

[timellison]

Hi,

I'm a newcomer to Backyard EOS, currently having a go with the trial version. Just wanted to ask something, if I may, before purchasing the full version. The laptop I intend to use is kept away from the internet, mainly to avoid instability from the dreaded Windows updates etc (sorry Microsoft!). Will Backyard EOS (full purchased version) install and run OK without an internet connection? I have found comments here and there that suggest it will, but they are from some time ago. I'd like to make sure before purchasing. Apologies if I've missed an explanation somewhere on the website - I've looked, but haven't found anything.

Many thanks,

Tim

[admin]

Purchase keys do not require Internet access to run.  Only trial keys do.

[timellison]

Many thanks for the confirmation.

[RonFred]

I am regularly asked to validate my premium copy of BYE. So sadly I am likly not to be able to use this software on a mountain top where seeing is best and no internet or cellular.

[astroman133]

The paid licenses are not supposed to need an Internet connection to run. Although some older versions used to ask to re-validate your license, especially if you changed time zones with your PC.

Which version of BYE are you running? If it is not the latest...3.2.3 or  the 3.5.0 pre-release, you should upgrade. There is no cost.

When I have been asked to re-validate, I just have to enter my Identifier and get on with my work. It is my understanding that it should re-validate even with no internet  connection.

[RonFred]

I have BYE EOS Version 3.2.3 running just fine on an Intel Mac in a Broadcom/VMWare Fusion Virtual disk with Windows 10. However, it asks for validation about 50% of the time. And the validation response is often incorrect, requiring me to redo the validation. And if wifi is weak, like in my "Back Yard," the validation never works. A Mac with Fusion (free) is an excellent solution for nearly every Windows program I have, except yours.

Errors I get during validation:

1) License fault error! (s:INACTIVE/-1) - The key provided has expired, been deactivated, or has not been activated yet. Please contact us.

2) The key provided has been deactivated (or has not been activated yet). Please contact us.

Many times when the validation does work - the BYE EOS validation screen is "thinking" for up to 3 minutes before approval. Other times, no validation needed. Other times, validation is not asked.

I suggest fixing these incorrect errors and/or stop requesting validation at all, as "astroman133" says above.

Meanwhile validation in my back yard where wifi is not reliable, I suggest an alternate validation, such as in a QR code that a cell phone can use, as used by Amazon or Google. Or rename your product LivingRoom EOS (a joke, as your product is very good other than validation). 

[admin]

Running in a VM will often yield a different 'machine signature' each time the VM is restarted, which will trigger the key validation because it thinks the key was copied from another computer. 

[RonFred]

1 hour ago, admin said:

Running in a VM will often yield a different 'machine signature' each time the VM is restarted, which will trigger the key validation because it thinks the key was copied from another computer. 

Until you can implement a validation for "back yard / mountain top" where WiFi may not exist, then the program is not too useful. I will try putting my VM on Mac to sleep before going outside. And I can try tethering my cell phone to my laptop. But I would hate to carry 200 lb of equipment into the field only to find that my entire event will fail due to this "less than perfect" validation scheme you currently use.

I offered two suggestions for future release that might use QRCode (see how Amazon Prime TV and Youtube TV work)  so a cell phone can validate. I also pointed out that the "failed" validation messages are incorrect and misleading. 

 

PS: for the reader, I am a nubie so maybe the big picture is out of "scope" for me so far. 

Thanks for your comment, however.

[s3igell]

The actual issue is that you are deploying a VM that changes its Hardware Signature in your effort to run Software that is advertised as Windows-Only on our MacOS PC.

If you can't deploy a VM that maintains a persistent Machine Hardware Signature, perhaps you could consider deploying a Mini PC running Windows 11 to solve your issues.

Right now Amazon Prime Days has several workable Mini PCs priced only slightly over $100 which would be suitable for a Mount-side Imaging Controller that you then Remote Control via your Mac (or your iPhone or iPad or...).  Example:  MeLe Fanless Mini PC

[RonFred]

I thought you folks would like to know that VMware's free Fusion VM running Windows works with your software. So many more users are available for your software. I have seen others complaining on this forum about the validation process issuing bogus answers outlined in my post above on "Windows-Only" platforms. It's a real turn-off to get a validation error that says my license has been terminated (it's not) and for me to call  O'Telescope - Most likely as a result of a poor Wi-Fi connection in the backyard.  So here again I am the unpleasant messenger reporting an issue with your validation process, which is easier to test on a VM because the validation requests all the time instead of once in a while. But fine. The miniPC is an option for lots of good reasons, but as a workaround for a validation process error far from my router, no thanks.  Yet I love this platform too.