I need somewhere to Bitch about this and lucky you I picked here! Yay!
So I'm building a new editing system for my company. Used to use Mac (most editing systems are mac based) but I had this computer and quite frankly I like it better. Feel free to have the usual retarded debate over which is better, It's just my opinion. More user friendly for people whose brains work like mine does.
In any case, the computer was just sitting here. Mostly being used for web design. Had plenty of space left though, and since it's also my ipod platform, it's got my whole collection of songs on it, plus the dual monitors/ass kicking graphics card all said: you could turn this beast into an editing system no problemo.
So I do a little research, looks like Avid is the way to go. Insanely expensive, but not ridiculously stupidly insanely expensive (those who buy lots of system intensive software understand what I mean..."will that be one arm and one leg? Or will be paying with both legs, one arm, four teeth and a small kangaroo?").
SO I get Avid express pro. They send the box. Bear in mind I'm at least smart enough to double check my system to make sure it meets the requirements for avid express pro. It does.
It does not meet the requirements for pro HD...which isn't really a problem until later in the story. I open it up, install away, then plug in the 'Dongle.'
This is a good point to stop while you laugh.
Yes I said 'Dongle." Apparently the folks at Avid, convinced that morons like Microsoft and Adobe made way too much money by making software accessible, decided to instead follow the revolutionary marketing strategy of high prices - no peeking.
So they made the 'dongle.' A dongle is a small USB device that looks like a flash drive. You insert it into a USB port. The software will not work unless the dongle is plugged into the computer. Sounds simple and fun right? RIGHT?
So I plug it in and boot up. "No dongle attached to this computer."
Begin calls to customer service. (Bear in mind..the date at this point: Dec 28). It seems I installed it wrong...no problem. Hang up and reinstall. Same message. Restart customer service call marathon.
At this point I should mention that their hold music will drive any rational human being insane within 5 min. Average length of call: 25 min.
Long story short: today..Jan 10...still not working, I take the afternoon off planning to do nothing all day but get this stupid software to start. Not learn how to use the insanely complicated new software. Not practice my skills on the new platform..just make the damn thing start.
Calls begin.
Turns out my "Dongle" was set for HD, not for pro regular...fine. They send an update to change my dongle. I vow to kill the next human who uses the word 'Dongle" in front of me. No luck here. Calls begin again.
At this point however, I've become familiar enough that the guy actually calls me. This makes me sad, but at least I got someone on the line. Apparently you can't change your dongle like that, the update only screwed me up. Have to install HD.
Where does that leave me?
Let's see...Day 13 of problem. Square 1 still. Just had to shell out more cash to upgrade my RAM. It's possible that my current OS may or may not work with this version (tune in next time to find out that lovely answer). Oh and...I need to get an updater to turn my dongle back into HD instead of the Pro-but-wont-work-with-pro-so-basically-useless-dongle that it currently is.
And the cherry on top: I get to take tomorrow of work too so that I can continue to try to (for those who followed along) GET THE DAMN THING TO START!
I haven't even made it to the part where problems usually happen. I'm still in the stupid "Make it go" phase.
Mac editing systems are looking more and more user friendly by the second.
