Sweet Alias Death

Alias.

not the tv show.

im talking about the computer company that deals out software for professional commercial use on the computer *duh*.

ill be refering to a specific software of thiers named StudioTools (which if im not wrong, they bought over from another company). its used to make 3d models with very realistic effects. ever seen those ipod advertisements? or nokia handphone models? all done by Alias StudioTools.

the thing is, its starting to piss me off.

why.

1. Because the software can hang on u at any given moment, regardless of logical factors.

2. Because there is onli 28 or so licenses that the WHOLE *BLEEPIN* DESIGN SCHOOL can use at ANY given time or computer lab. thus, if 28 people are using the software already, no more then that will be able to use it.

3. about 70 to 80 PID 2nd years are using it NONSTOP during school hours to finish thier project. 70 to 80 people. remember reason 2.? 28 licenses?

4. since the license is so limited, people 'book' the licenses - first come first serve - and use it for DAYS ON END witout ever, ever unlocking the comp for others. i have seen the same comp locked by some people for a week already. this makes it all the more fustrating as the licenses used are LOCKED by others inside thier comps even when they are away or not using.

5. for those who dont noe, when u 'render' the model to make to make it look realistic, each time, it takes about 1 to 2hrs or so (some even 4hrs). and many, MANY times, the rendering is not what u want it to look like. this makes for an immense waste of time and productivity WAITING for the rendering to be done.

6. we onli have 1 week due to submission each time. thats onli assuming u dont take any breaks. and we have to print out the finished image on a board, and do a journal that explains the steps 1 by 1, with pictures of the steps given. this means a printscreen image every step of the way. it bloody pisses me off.

yes.

people can get in quarrels because of the tension.

the reason for this is, everyone else is DEFINITELY your competition in this.

if it wasnt obvious before, now its worse because this time, whoever BOOKS the comp first finishes the work. and since EVERYBODY is locking thier comps, no one gets to use it other then the BOOKERS. 28 people at any given time. 70 to 80 people in need of it desperately.

that leaves 48 to 58 PID year 2's desperatly trying to finish thier work but not being able to.

so what do they do?

some resort to begging those who have license.

some resort to restarting locked computers.

some just wait till a user leaves and asks if they can use. mind u, this waiting can take HOURS.

wadever it is, it is terrible and there is alot of stress and tension in the already cold air of the computer lab.

and buying more licenses has apparently been refused.

buying more licenses would resolve it but it seems thats not going to happen.

Battle Royale anyone?