Rating: Summary: Lockdown AND Ads Review: Not only is the new 2002 Turbotax locked to your machine for printing, there are ADS. Why are we getting ads when we have paid? This is very troublesome and not a good harbinger for the future of software. Had I known all this, I would not have purchased AND INSTALLED the product. It also appears from my later research that some people may need to install XP in order to print. I have XP so that wasn't an additional problem in my case. I will be doing my taxes "by hand" next year, but that doesn't get this "spyware" off my machine -- even after uninstall. Not a happy camper. Some info from newsgroups: "Also, everyone should be aware that TurboTax this year has started using a copy protection mechanism called C-DILLA. It requires an activation that locks it to the computer you first install it on. You cannot uninstall it and reinstall it on a different computer. Make sure you don't buy a new computer after installing it on your old computer - you won't be able to use TT on the new computer if you do. I presume that Intuit will provide some mechanism for overriding this if you call in and wade through tech support, but to do so will surely require a good chunk of time spent on the phone. In addition, the C-DILLA program remains installed and resident on your computer even when you are not using TurboTax, and even *after* you uninstall TT. It uses up approximately 1MB of ram and 4 threads - About 1.5% of a 64MB machine's system resources. Not a lot of by todays standards, but still a significant amount considering that when TT is not running (or is uninstalled), it is completely unneccessary. Also, just imagine if every vendor starts implementing a similiar mechanism, with each one taking up another 1MB of ram. There are also rumors on the internet that CDILLA may also be performing some spyware type activities." (Thanks Tom)
Rating: Summary: WinXP Product Activation has work-around, so does Turbo Tax! Review: Intuit says "The growing popularity of TurboTax products over the past several years has created the need to help ensure TurboTax is used in accordance with the license agreement. Improved technology has given us a way to implement product activation that is quick, simple, and unobtrusive while protecting customer privacy." Microsoft says the same thing with their Windows Product Activation. This does not stop piracy. It merely gives software crackers more funtime developing a work-around for these products. Currently, I have found over thirty workarounds that would allow someone who has legitimately purchased Turbo Tax for him/herself, to put it on two or more computers. I have six in my house and there are times I may want to work on my taxes on another computer rather than the one on which I originally installed the software. Well, a key generator and a tweak in the registry is all I needed and is all anyone needs to work around Product Activation. I do not like what Intuit has resorted to. I do not make copies of theirs or any other product and merely "pass it out." But when I buy a product for myself ALONE and I have more than one machine for personal or family use, I have no problem cracking the codes myself and thumb my nose at those who make ten times more money than me and use their product to find all the loopholes to get out of paying any taxes! As long as there are those who can produce the work-arounds, I guess I will continue to use Turbo Tax. Besides, it's the thrill of "the chase."
Rating: Summary: It may be your software, but it's my PC Review: The ironic twist in all of this is that somebody will undoubtedly crack the activation scheme. So the warez monkeys will still steal it, but legitimate users, who shell out hard earned cash for it, get digitally violated (without even a kiss first). You obviously don't think much of me as a customer, so now I no longer think of you ... at all.
Rating: Summary: Vote with your feet! Review: Don't make the same mistake I did - I unfortunately bought this program before I found out about the ridiculous activation routine and background applications it installs...
Rating: Summary: Beware of activation! Review: This year TurboTax includes a new "feature": it is tied to a single PC for printing or e-filing. You call or connect to "activate" it. If your hard drive then dies, too bad. If you buy a new PC between now and the time you want to amend your return, too bad. You have to buy a new copy of TurboTax at full price. Buy tax cut, It's not quite as comprehensive, but it's a decent product at a great price, and they don't treat every customer like a potential thief. Intuit has really stepped in it, and will lose market share for years to come when this season's annoyed customers rebel. It seems that Intuit did not learn the lesson of the copy protection wars of the 1980s: customers rebel at restrictive protection, especially when one or more vendors offer similar non-protected products. Only a monopoly provider like Microsoft can get away with this stuff, and even they allow Windows XP to be moved a limited number of times.
Rating: Summary: Product Activation Review: I installed it on my work computer and it caused problems with an application that we use. Even after I uninstalled turbotax the program didn't work. I had to wipe the partition and get a fresh image. DON'T INSTALL TURBOTAX ON ANY COMPUTER THAT RUNS MISSION CRITICAL APPLICATIONS !!!
Rating: Summary: This is the LAST TIME I'll buy TurboTax Review: TurboTax has an invasive activation scheme with undocumented software that is permanently installed on your hard drive. I'm about to scrap this computer anyway, so I've installed it, but I recommend that YOU buy Tax Cut. I've used Tax Cut in years past, and it's just as easy and thorough as TurboTax. Intuit, go find someone else to run your undocumented, stealth "security" software.
Rating: Summary: Great Product and a cinch to activate Review: I've used Turbo Tax for years and I am completely satisfied with this years product. It was sooo easy to activate. 5+ stars!!!
Rating: Summary: Activation scheme lowers the value of TurboTax Review: My family & associates have been using TurboTax for years. Next year we shall move to other tax programs (like Taxcut). I do not care for the idea of ... software scattered across my harddisk!
Rating: Summary: Activation and Safecast is terrible Review: Intuit has made a huge mistake by requiring activation and adding Safecast to TurboTax. Reinstalling this software on a different machine in the future should be allowed without having to call the company.... I have switched and will not buy software from Intuit again. Intuit - wake up. You just lost another customer.
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