Adobe PhotoShop CS is another quality program from Adobe. I can understand the reasons behind activation: protect intellectual rights, help prevent piracy, prevents corporations from using a single disk for multiple machines, and so on. What I have a problem with is Adobe LM.

I have a laptop that I use as my primary machine, so I like to go through the Windows Services and disable any non-vital services - like Index service, system restore, and so on. The savings are increased memory allocation. While looking at the services, I discoverd Adobe LM. After some research, I learned that Adobe LM starts as PhotoShop starts, then turns off once loaded. I also discovered that this service cannot be disabled! When PhotoShop is opened again, this service simply resets to 'manual.'

I am assuming that this service is a "phone home" type program that verifies that the copy of PhotoShop is legal. I also assume that if Adobe discovers that this system is on 3 machines (if a customer calls to say that a machine has been upgraed for example, but in reality there is a third machine), the program might refuse to start.

I have some major issues with this:

1. A good business relation is also based on trust. If Adobe does not trust their customers by implementing this Adobe LM, then have Adobe make a statement that says there is no trust.

2. In my book, any service that starts without knowledge, or cannot be disabled is SpyWare. I do not like having a policeman in my computer.

I want to make it clear that I fully support activation. I use Windows XP and Office 2003, and the activation schemes do not bother me one bit. I also know that there are no services of Microsoft that verify legallity (at least in the services listed).

If I am incorrect in the methodology of Adobe LM Service, please let me know. I am hoping this service is not what I think it is. But I think it is important to be made aware of its existence. There is freedom of information in the US, and something that affects the customer should be made public, or at least available.

Rick_Murphy

Replied in the following topics

Activation and Adobe LM Service