Membership vs. Reauthorization
The release of R24 in June 2009 marked a fundamental improvement to CAST’s dongle security and, because of it, a substantial advancement in the way we help you limit your financial risk for the loss of your dongle. Called “Reauthorization”, simply put, twice each year CAST validates your dongle and, if all is OK, gives it a code that keeps your software running for the next 6 months, more or less.
Why do we do this?
By design and recognizing the needs of our highly mobile wysiwyg. Users, your dongle must be a highly portable “key”. The combination of mobile and portable also means that it can get lost or stolen – we know this because it happens all the time. In the old days, if your dongle was lost or stolen, you had to purchase a new full copy of the software + dongle = $$$$. Under the circumstances, this stipulation was like throwing gasoline on a fire, and more than a few of you complained. We did not like the heat either so we developed the Reauthorization protocol to reconfirm on a routine basis that your dongle is in your possession.
How does it work?
Just like a credit card, the Reauthorization protocol confirms your security information (like a special word or pin number) so we know you are you and that you are in possession of your card / or dongle.
The process is similar for Reauthorization. When the system clock triggers the Reauthorization time, announcements will pop up onscreen. Follow the instructions. Dongle information is sent to CAST from your computer via the Internet and if all is OK then we send out a code to your dongle. If the confirmation fails or your dongle was stolen or lost, then we don’t send out the code and your dongle shuts down to protect your investment in the software and your work.
So, what has Reauthorization to do with the annual Membership Renewal?
From a technology perspective, absolutely nothing because the two are separate processes, BUT, if you don’t do the Reauthorizations when required you can’t renew your Membership.
Does it cost me anything for Reauthorization and the assurance it provides?
No, it is one of the benefits of Membership!
Should these timings concur?
Because Reauthorization was introduced only recently, if you owned an earlier wysiwyg Release then you will experience a transition period, lasting about 18 months, until the date of the annual Reauthorization becomes aligned with the date for the Annual Membership Renewal.
New customers will find the annual Reauthorization and annual Membership renewal will be closely aligned from the get-go. The mid-year Reauthorization happens about half-way through the year.
Shut down – are you serious?
We are. Membership has its benefits and since they are valuable, they are worth protecting. So is your dongle. So is your work. So, if Reauthorization either wasn’t done or the confirmation fails, or if your dongle was reported stolen or lost, the Reauthorization program ensures that dongle automatically shuts down to protect your investment in the software and your work.
So here’s the skinny:
You fail or don’t comply (on a timely basis) with the Reauthorization protocol software shuts down, period, until Reauthorization is performed.
Annual Membership renewal – upon expiry of the current period software will continue to operate but you cannot download and use new versions of the software, and you are not entitled to any Member Benefits (such as unlimited technical support).
Membership and the Membership Expiry Date
Membership has been around since the first Release of wysiwyg. Simply put, if the Membership Expiry Date on your dongle has not yet passed, you can use the current version of wysiwyg and have access to technical support. To find your Membership Expiry Date:
1. Run wysiwyg (There is no need to open a file.)
2. Click the Help menu.
3. Select About wysiwyg.
Result: The About wysiwyg window appears, at the top of which the Membership Expiry Date is displayed.
