Just received the following via email. Rather than improve the creaky old engine to make it more efficient and usable for daily traders who have been longtime customers, they're trying to cram the new glitz and useless geegaws down our throats. Even long-requested trivial improvements haven't been made (like showing accepted symbol-counts in Explorations, rather than just rejection counts - I could code that for them in 10 minutes). I don't mind upgrades and don't mind paying something for them, but an upgrade should be just that - improvements that make the product work better for me. Restoring local data gets you back the capability I already have in version 11 and removed a deal-killer barrier to my upgrading, but it adds nothing for me; nothing else has been changed or added to the product that would benefit me, from the many demos I've watched and features lists I've read.

There is no reason MS couldn't keep the activation server alive; they're just trying to force us to cough up more cash for nothing beneficial. If it's really that onerous or impossible to do, MetaStock, why not just remove the DRM altogether so we can stay alive after a system crash or other problem in the future? Do you really think so little of your longtime customers who have invested thousands of dollars in your product, plugins and services - are you that desperate for revenue, to resort to "digital extortion", forcing us to pay $249 for (in my case, at least) absolutely no product improvement after ten years?

I'm sure I'm not the only one taking a pass on the last few versions because they really don't add anything to benefit serious traders who develop our own methodologies rather than keep looking for the latest "magic system". Since you're walking away from us, I think it's finally time for me to get serious about finding a modern alternative to MetaStock, even with all the hassle, effort and time that would entail. Now that I think about it, perhaps another way to go is to revert to my v9.1 copy of MetaStock, which has none of this DRM nonsense embarnacling it; I'd have to test my v11 chart layouts and Explorations for compatibility, but I have a feeling they'd work.

---

Dear Valued Client;

This important notice is for all clients currently using MetaStock versions 10 or 11. If you have a more recent of version of MetaStock, you may ignore this notice.

We no longer support the licensing technology that allows users to activate MetaStock version 10. Additionally, as of February 1, 2017 we will no longer support the licensing technology that allows users to activate version 11 of MetaStock software.

You will no longer be able to activate or login to MetaStock versions 10 or 11 under certain conditions. These include, but are not limited to:

If you install the MetaStock 10 or 11 on a new computer or new hard drive
If you need to reinstall or reactivate MetaStock 10 or 11 on your current hard drive due to issues with the licensing software
This issue will have no effect on your current version of The Downloader.

Though we will continue to support MetaStock 10 and 11 as much as reasonably possible, if your current version requires installation, or reactivation for any reason, you will no longer be able login in to version 10 or 11 of MetaStock.

We understand that some clients choose to continue using these older versions of MetaStock due to their ability to function with local data and operate offline. In our latest version of MetaStock we have re-incorporated these features.

Edited by user Friday, January 13, 2017 5:30:23 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

I hope they don't think so little of their longtime "valued customers" that they assume we just can't wait to start pirating 10-year old versions of the software that still work just fine for us.

If your license-server vendor has abandoned you, then just remove the DRM from versions 10/11 and be done with it, Equis.  Otherwise, you're really putting a damper on any inclination for me to recommend MetaStock to other traders - after putting a couple thousand dollars into it, being told "sorry, we're killing it" tends to do that.

Edited by user Wednesday, January 18, 2017 8:47:06 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Hi all, Thank you for your comments. I would recommend contacting us via: https://www.metastock.co...mpany/about/contact.aspx to discuss any outstanding concerns. Just as a reminder existing installations of MetaStock 10 and 11 should continue to work fine.

I have been using Metastock since DOS 3.0 version.    I have upgraded many times and am tired of all the new versions that add nothing but useless tools that I don’t need, so I’m still on version 11.   There are so many alternatives to Metastock now, including the sophisticated platforms available through online brokerages.   

If they don’t get rid of the DRM within the next few months, I will simply not renew when my annual Datalink subscription expires.   That’s a few hundred dollars a year.  I’m not going to wait until some unforeseen reason that I might have to reinstall Metastock before I drop it.   It is sheer idiocy to risk losing long time Metastock/Datalink customers over DRM.  

A good way to put it. If a v10 user, for instance, has to have his/her arm twisted to upgrade FIVE major-release levels after 10 years or so, and still isn't leaping at the chance to do it, what does that say about the attractiveness of the product to experienced users of MS who know their version inside and out, what they'd like to see improved and the perceived value of upgrading?

I've been mostly satisfied with MS11 over the years, and really want these guys to survive and thrive, but reinstating local data is the biggest improvement in v15 and I already have that. What I'm looking forward to is streamlining, fixes to the workflow and performance improvements under the hood.

Ask longtime users, who use MS every day, what they want in a new version! I doubt you'd hear many requests for The Forecaster, RMO and the control panel. I'd be in ecstasy if I could change 12 onscreen charts to a new template all at once without having to do 50 or 60 mouseclicks as I modify them one at a time and confirming that yes, they need to remain Smart Charts and yes I want to overwrite the existing chart with the new layout, and I have to remember to close the old chart before trying to save the new one because otherwise I get a big beep and an error message. Ten years of doing that process over and over is just depressing. Do any of the programmers who code MetaStock actually USE it every day, or even occasionally?

And after a decade, I'm still wondering why the Rejected count is more important to display than the Accepted count when running explorations on 12,000 symbols, especially when testing a new exploration. If I expect maybe 12 out of 12,000 to make the cut, why do I have to wait until the very end to find I'm getting zero because of a coding error on my part? I've watched the v15 videos very carefully; it still works this way. A 10-minute coding effort could fix this, but maybe it's been in QA for ten years.

I don't know if I'll wait for v16 or not, if my ability to use MS is always at risk of a sudden hardware crash, but I certainly hope that SOMEBODY is reading these threads and listening to longtime loyal customers. I don't want my analysis toolbox to be brought to a sudden screeching halt and thinking "man, I wish I'd switched to TradeStation, so I could bring up my backups on a new machine."

How about just removing the DRM, MetaStock? Throw us a bone for our longtime support. These versions are 10 years old and I PROMISE I won't pirate it out on the streets. Is ANYBODY listening to what we're saying about the risk you're imposing on us?

Edited by user Thursday, January 26, 2017 3:03:07 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Details about improvements desired.

To be clear, Ken, I believe MS 10/11 won't stop working on Feb. 1st (it had BETTER NOT, I've got enough on my plate this week!), but if you want/need to move MS to another hardware setup, the DRM activation won't work any more to achieve that.

So, if your PC crashes for instance, you're done with MetaStock unless you upgrade, because you can no longer install/reinstall it.

I haven't looked at Amibroker in years; will take another look at it - thanks.

Edited by user Monday, January 30, 2017 3:33:31 PM(UTC)  | Reason: cleanup, more info

So I decided to buy the upgrade. I got a rude shock that in the event that I want to use my own local data, I have to pay a monthly maintenance fee!! This was never disclosed at the time of purchase, and I never had this problem with v10 or v11 !

Strictly speaking for the non-DataLink MetaStock 15 users, there is either a Monthly or Annual Maintenance ID that is associated with this. This is either $1/mo or $10/year. This works effectively as a DataLink User ID and Password, allowing you to log in to the software. Offline Use is limited to I believe 30 days before a login via the Maintenance ID is required. This should be spelled out at the time of purchase (it is clearly spelled out when ordering online). If it was not this is definitely something we should work through customer service/sales rep who took the order. https://www.metastock.co...mpany/about/contact.aspx

To be honest, its not the current $10 per month that is really annoying me. Its the fact that it is just another charge I have to deal with. And... we all know how it goes, 10 dollars now, then it ratchets up exponentially. You guys are really giving us a good reason to depart ways forever. Multicharts, Ninja or Amibroker here I come.

I think he said $1/month

not $10/month.

That is $10 dollars per year

$0.83 per month.

Less than a dollar per month.