digital as last resort only
That's valid but only when concerning the download itself. The problem is many of these services require online activation. Yes, some claim those elements will someday be removed via patch, but I frankly don't trust those claims.I really don't get the whole "The company is gonna disappear" argument. You have to protect your physical purchases yourself, so having to protect your digital purchases yourself is going to be just the same. Why does everyone assume that the companies selling you the software is responsible for archiving *your* data.
I still disagree with your argument. In my argument above I link the copy protections used in physical media with the distribution just as I do with digital distribution. Your argument is an academic one. Yes, if distribution were an issue with no strings attached, you would have a point. But both forms of distribution do come with strings in most cases, and saying they are irrelevant does not make it so.*Pulls hair out*Digital download is *just* a means of distribution. It does *not* mean that you always have to return to the publisher whenever you want to re-install it. Backup your data people!
Doesn't that just validate boxed copies anyway?Digital download is *just* a means of distribution. It does *not* mean that you always have to return to the publisher whenever you want to re-install it. Backup your data people!
If you burned a DVD/CD then yes, that would be pointless. But why on earth would you do that? My setup is:
Primary Internal HDD: Stores OS & installed applications
Secondary Internal HDD: Stores *all* Data and downloaded software installers
External HDD: Is an exact mirror of my Secondary Internal HDD and is stored at my in-laws house incase my house is burgled / burns down.
I can guarantee you that that setup is far better than having DVD/CD's with your software on, regardless of whether those DVD/CD's were purchased at a retail store or burned from downloaded software. Someone can always come in and steal your stuff, or your house can catch on fire etc.
Using anything other than a HDD for backup is ridiculous in this day and age.