I can't say that Swath is a bad program, and I can't say that's it's a good program. What I can say is I probably won't ever know unless they change their authenticate process. I don't know the authors of Swath well enough to take thier word that when the authentication server is taken offline, (which will happen eventually), that I won't lose complete access to use the program. Now, if they put it in writing that they will provide a final version that doesn't require authentication, I'd be much more likely to buy thier software.

$28.00 or whatever the cost is, may not be much, but then again, it's not a requirement to have Swath to play TW either. I do just fine with Zoc and it's free.

I did a search for ZOC

Start your free 30 days evaluation today and download ZOC V6.17 for Windows or Mac OS X. Registering it is $79.

Choosing to not follow the rules is free unless you get caught!

After 30 days it beeps for like 130 sec or something, but the best part is. you can turn the beeps off, just a small window. fully functional atleast up to v5xxx that i know of, dont have 6xxx

Yes, if you use version 3 there's a crack out there that will stop the nag screen. Problem is some of the programs that include the crack on the internet also have virus's in them. I'm guessing that someone got mad about the crack.

If you use version 4 or 5, theres no crack that I know if, but then again as Kane said it's fully functional but the drawback is a nag screen when you start it up.

I don't know what version 6 is or what changes have been made because I haven't used it.

I understand but Big D said "free"... it is only free if you choose to not pay for it. This is why Swath put in the authentication that they have to keep people from doing the same. You can evaluate it for 30 days after that technically you are stealing it.

but even the eval mode isnt full functional right? Now i havent messed with it for some time now but thats how i remember it

No Swath evaluation is not full functional or a few players would be using it and never paying for it

This isn't about money, it's about nuisance. People get used to using a program, and when it harfs people get upset. Compared to the amount spent, the time invested in getting it all setup has cost a small fortune. So when stuff doesn't work right of course people are going to complain.

One thing everyone who uses Swath should be aware of ... if you pay for it and leave a copy running , you will never have to go back to that authorization screen.

That way if the server goes offline , you may never hear about it unless you come here and see these messages

I haven't noticed it down , but I haven't turned mine off in a long time either.

For those who like FREE .. try Swath lite .. its called Gath (google it)
no registration or stealing software needed (cracks).

Btw Big D , you might not want Rev to hear your confesion of crack on his software.

Actually, it authenticates everytime you connect to a game. So yes, once you connect you are good, but only for that one game.

Helix

I have to say for $26 (less than the cost of most video games) Swath is well worth it. Over all I'm quite satisfied with it. I shut down my PC every night so when then authorization servers go down I notice - but it happens what 3 or 4 times per year? One thing that I've noticed is that if the primary server is down the secondary server is also down and so is the Swath website so you can't even leave messages there. If the the servers were on different connections then this would probably never even be an issue... just a suggestion.

For one, it's not Rev's software, for another, there's probably 5000 websites out there with past versions of zoc that you can get cracks, keygens, or both. Search "download zoc keygen" and see how many hits you get. So don't blame me for zoc getting cracked. BTW, I paid for zoc and I don't have to worry about authentication to get it to work.
Also on a note, I said Zoc is free, and it is. If you want to evaluate it, it is very capable of playing TW with and you don't actually have to spend a dime. I've used it for years and I felt enclined to purchase it.

back in the day you could buy 3 zoc licenses for a deep discount and split the cost. thats how i got mine for cheap. the nice thing about zoc is that it is being actively developed. two german guys make their living off it and they have been very responsive when i asked for features. also, they recently gave me permission to share my own license for zoc 4.x on one occasion. i don't think TW players are even a blip on their revenue radar. they are used to selling volume licenses to corporations.

Just a contuation to this thread .. helex , I have 2 copys of swath open .. for about a month now , and bounce from game to game , I have not had any authorization problems yet (knock on wood).

I don't close swath , so never have to re-authorise .. like I said.
btw , swath has been continuly upgrading .. and for $26 that is more then I can say for Attack.

Also , I can contact the author and ask for features to be added , now I challenge those FREE users to try that with their FREE software .. lol

If you do have problems with swath , you can still use Gath (similar to swath free version)

As for when the swath is no longer suported (bar a death of programmer) , it will be released w/o
authorization ... but I'de guess , if you want that in writing .. send some $$ to the author .. if he is like me .. I'de sign a paper for you too .. make it worth my time to read your complaint as a paying customer.

Otherwise , your just some bumm peeing on my cornflakes (sorry not intended to be smack) .

Vid

Death of a programmer, OR when the creators of Swath decide it isn't worth thier efforts anymore.
Also, how about I just don't buy it unless there is a guarantee that they'll release a version that is usable when they decide to stop supporting Swath.
I wouldn't buy a car from a dealer if the only place I could get it repaired was at that dealer. That dealer goes out of business and I'm screwed. It would be stupid to buy the car and THEN try to get them to change their policy. I'd just buy a car from a dealer that would guarantee I could get future parts and service at any dealer.