I have much the same attitude as Cliff - this custom shop nonsense has stopped me from upgrading much of my IK stuff - I have:-
1) Tracks - old version no longer even installed -
2) Amplitube 2 - installed and still working OK (but very rarely used) but will not upgrade as far too confusing and I am somewhat concerned I will loose the settings I use now (Have heard about issues with custom shop authorising old modules)
3) Ampeg SVX - working but will not upgrade ( see above re custom shop)
4) SampleTank and derivatives such as SampleMoog / SampleTron - I have these working on an older 32bit Computer then use them via Vienna Ensemble across the network - this way they work perfectly - depending on cost I will possibly upgrade these so I can use them properly on my 64bit system, but I WILL not do so if it means using Custom Shop
Overall I have spent a not inconsiderable sum of money with IK Multimedia - as can be seen from the above list, unless they change their business practices, I can see no alternative but to stop using many of their products. Now this will PISS ME OFF as when I buy something, I feel I should be allowed to use it as I want to use it - also because as a very long term user (some of the first software I purchased) I LIKE their products, I used to like the Company and I would like to continue to LIKE the Company. But I'm sorry IKObi, you must take on board that IK have upset MANY of their original customers (without which you would not have been in business long enough to jump on the iCrap Bandwagon) and you need to LISTEN.
Now I normally charge for advice like this but you can have this for free:-
1) Make Custom Shop optional or better still do away with it! Come up with a Customer centric piece of software not a sales based, intrusive piece of software. We have to install this on OUR Computers.
2) Make Upgrading easier - even better put a real human being on call to deal with enquiries from older existing users so they know how best to upgrade what they have to the newer 64bit versions - this should be EASY to achieve as you have records through the authorization process of exactly what we own - this if done properly could be revenue generating
3) Just spend a little time sorting out what used to be your flagship product - SampleTank and all the derivatives - get it 64 bit and PLACATE all those older users who have spent considerable money on a product that is now a bit too flaky to use on 64bit machines without some workaround like the one I am using.
IKObi I hope you realise that I honestly do have a soft spot for IK Multimedia and REALLY want to continue to use their products. But there simply has to be a change of attitude from IK Multimedia - they DO NOT have to lose focus on their istuff products - just consider that to alienate existing customers is ALWAYS bad business practice - IT WILL COME BACK TO BITE THEM - it always does.
IKObi I know you are in a somewhat difficult position as you are paid to promote their products, but it is getting to the point that you will be wasting your time on these sort of forums unless you can start to address real concerns that are getting aired every day - reading some of the posts on this thread alone should make your bosses very worried people - it is clear IK have deeply upset many people - you need to impress upon your bosses that the concerns often expressed here need to be tackled and tackled soon. For everyone who posts on forums such as these, there will be tens if not hundreds who can't be bothered to post but who in all likelihood hold the same views
IKObi I hope you can accept that this post was made in a postive effort to help you and IK Multimedia.
Nigel