General discussion
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Topic
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Change Registered User?
LockedWhile I am quite comfortable hacking a terminated registered user from the Windows (XP) registry, changing a registered (terminated) user to his/her replacement for applications – such as Microsoft Office – is another thing entirely. I really don’t want to uninstall/reinstall the application(s) just to change a registered user name.
I know all the rest of you IT-types are in the same boat. This is only one of several problems that I have with virtually all software registrations.
1. The Company usually buys the application, it is primarily the Company’s responsibility to enforce licensing adherence, so why do the registration processes require a named individual when the user for a particular PC changes for whatever reason?
2. When a PC’s user changes, the new user is not forced (by the software) to accept adherence to the license agreement. So why require it at all?
3. Most registration processes prompt for the “user” name – making the user the first point of contact. Organizations which perform software installations via a designated “IT” person or department usually don’t direct licensing or registration concerns to the user. Who do they usually go to? IT.These are just 3 of the basic, common issues that occur on a regular basis throughout industry. It seems to me that it would be in everyone’s best interest – application developer and consumer – that an option to change this registered user information should be easily done via the (usually) standard “Help/About” screens where the registration information is usually displayed.
Additionally, (objectively) it seems to me that for a registration process that there should be more contact information to include some – if not all – the following:
a. Consumer’s Company name, address, main phone #
b. Primary consumer contact information for product support
c. Position/department responsible for software installation, and, if different, license maintenance, enforcement, monitoring, etc.
d. Registered user(s). It is the legal responsibility of each software user – even on a multi-user PC – to use the software IAW the license agreement. However, registration processes do not take this into account. Each user accessing a PC should actually be required to accept the license agreement for each application used.I know this creates more work for the developers and installers, but I believe that additional investment in this matter will pay for itself in “after-installation” maintenance.
I know it would make MY job easier…