Any idea when this might be available? (Probably a question for Dale, but if anyone else knows I'll listen)

I checked on this yesterday. Most everyone involved in the process is on vacation for the holidays. There's one task left, then a final round of testing. I can't confirm a date, but it's high on the priority list.

Best regards,
Dale

Thanks Dale...much appreciated...waiting with baited breath.

will this be accessable via a live update, or is it for installers only via URC control room?

URC control room only, due to the large size and the fact that there isn't a selective Live Update to get part of it but not all.

Sean

So how would someone go about getting it if they don't have access to the URC control room? Would Daniel be allowed to host something like this, or would that violate one of URC's new policies? It seems like it should be okay, since the expansion pack would be utterly useless to someone unless they already have the MX-980 editor.

Hmmmm.....good point.

Yes, I would love to have the expansion pack too, without having to call my dealer and wait for them to get it to me.

I have no problem hosting it, whatever the size, if URC allows it.

I'd love to get my hands on it as well. And I'd be happy to share the hosting duties depending on its size. I set up a small (10GB) download space on sendpace.com that I'd be happy to use to help with this.

I would be happy to also provide hosting capabilities. My hubby (a graphic designer) created some cool buttons for me to share so I could add these to the site.

At some point, I'm sure there will be a file sharing area on this site dedicated to the MX-980, just like there is for the MX-3000.

Has anyone been able to get the expansion pack hosted? Dealer went out of business long ago.

Marduke:

Let me begin by saying that what I'm about to say could sound all angry and harsh if you read it that way. But that's not my intent at all. I'm trying to be direct and informative, not combative. I'm trying to talk to you man to man, not as a representative of URC. To me, it's like this: Imagine we're at a party and you're wearing a really nice watch that you bought from from a pawn shop, and as you're proudly showing your watch, I'm the guy who says, "whoa... dude... that's the watch that was stolen from my house yesterday when my house was robbed." You're not a thief. You came by the watch honestly. But that doesn't mean a crime wasn't commited.

In other words, I know you come by your point of view honestly. So I'm trying to give you my honest "other side of the coin" point of view.

So, here it is:

You are asking for someone host a copyrighted software program, containing copyrighted artwork. As the guy who personally created that artwork, and whose job is directly affected by the theft of the software, I tend to take exception to your request.

I understand that it's easy to think "I just want the software; it's not hurting anybody." But I'm telling you, as face to face as we can be on a forum, that I am the guy who's directly affected by this. I'm the guy who sat at his desk until 4:00 a.m. night after night, missing my wife and kids, to create what you are trying to get someone to steal for you.

Since the software is available to installers for free, you feel like you're not hurting anyone and that it's not stealing. But you are hurting someone. You're hurting me, directly, personally, and financially. Because when our software is pirated in the form you're asking for someone to host for you, it hurts the sales of our installers. And that hurts my bottom line. Directly.

Marduke, I'm not saying you're a bad guy. I know you're not a bad guy. But the thing is, I'm not a bad guy either. I have a wife and kids and a mortgage, probably just like you. And while URC's policies may seem unfair to you, they were set up for a reason. Unfortunately, there are some dealers who break the rules behind those reasons, and that hurts guys like you. So I fully understand and even support your search for a remedy. But the remedy you seek, and more importantly, the method you're seeking it, is both illegal and frankly, just uncool to those of us whose livelihoods are directly tied to these products.

So respectfully, I'd like to ask that you cease publicly posting on open forums, asking for pirated copies of our software. I guess I kind of doubt that you'll respond to this in the spirit I intended and hoped... but I've said what I needed to say, truthfully and respectfully. I can only hope you'll react in kind.

Best regards,
Dale

No, that's usually where I come in at :-)

Dale thank you for placing a calm and civil tone into the subject, one that I have grown very impatient with. Know this...the people who you have been slaving away for do value your time, creativity and knowledge both out in the field and here on this forum. Have a good weekend.