Autodesk’s CIP – The Truth Slowly Being Revealed?

Disclosure: The name of one individual mentioned in this post has been encoded to unjustifiably protect the person’s identity**. The identity of the second individual has been altered similarly in the interest of equality only.

(Paul) “I pity your shortsightedness. It must kill you to know I hold the answer you are seeking.”

There are several people who have, over time, taken the opportunity to ridicule me as an individual and what I have said in relation to Autodesk’s intrusive licensing and Customer Involvement Program (CIP): but one of the most curious is 78 174 and in common with 86 of Autodesk, 174 claimed CIP data is “easily readable”

In fact these two individuals have several things in common when it comes to tackling my comments about CIP. One is they have both openly claimed CIP data is human readable. A second point, users have nothing to fear and the third – and most importantly – neither individual have, when asked to do so, provided details or evidence in support of their assertions.

This makes 78 174’s statement, “It must kill you to know I hold the answer you are seeking.” quite poignant and worthy of challenge.

Let’s look at what led up to 174 making the statement and why it may be the harbinger of the demise of this person’s credibility.

Following my blog entry titled ‘Rabid Dog puts CIP Data Up For Sale’, 78 (and others) and I exchanged e-mails and within one of those communications 78 made the statement, CIP files were "not encrypted. It's an XML derivative (easily readable)". It would be of no surprise, to those following what I am doing, to see me leap on this comment and follow up with 78, and I did with the following question;

“This is what we have been asking for 78. All the data we have found, generated by CIP, is encrypted and not 'human readable'. If what you 'indicate' is correct please tell me where it is to be found.”

For a critic this was an obvious course of action; an opportunity to demonstrate to all just how wrong I was and (maybe) have always been. 78 responded with, “If you know you can turn it off then what is the issue?” To which I responded, “Simple, we have a recorded instance where CIP having been turned off at installation was found to have been activated by something other than operator intervention! It caused and remains a problem. So returning to point 2; where is the XML file 78. Provided I can validate, having that data could shut this one aspect of my concerns about Autodesk down. I would be only too happy to publish the findings and, openly state I was either wrong in the first place or the situation has changed for the better.”

78’s reply, “Considering your propensity to use private emails in a public post I think this is the end of our conversation.” A curious answer considering I have always maintained I was prepared to publish and admit that I was “wrong in the first place or the situation has changed for the better.” Secondly, and I repeat, it was 78’s opportunity to ‘cover my face in egg’; an ideal opportunity for a very vocal critic. Interestingly though 78 chose to follow through with “I pity your shortsightedness. It must kill you to know I hold the answer you are seeking.”

Now which ever way you look at 78’s statement you have to wonder about why this person chose to criticize (me) in the first place. Has 78 a grudge to vent? It doesn’t worry me in the slightest that s/he may have information that I have been looking for; but it does worry me 78 seems to think it is appropriate to deny important information to others who have the same concerns as I do. 78’s statement will be remembered by me not only for the meanness of character it portrays but for its childishness in the face of opportunity.

As for my ‘shortsightedness’; what shortsightedness I would ask. Is it shortsighted of a business person to read terms and conditions and or seek to understand how customers’ business computers are being used by software developers without authorization – for the developers own business purposes? Is it 78 who is being shortsighted in not releasing the information s/he has; or is there another reason for 78’s reticence?

So let’s look at what is actually know about CIP data. The first point to make is Autodesk state the data collected is encrypted (and therefore not ‘human readable’). This differs of course from what both 86 of Autodesk and 78 174 have stated – why? The second thing we know is that even though Autodesk were unwilling to tell me where the data was to be found, a portion was found. I say a ‘portion’ only because I cannot be sure all of it has been found. What has been found, has been validated as being Autodesk generated CIP data and, it would appear, ‘the crucial’ files are encrypted and not - ‘read easily’ – as claimed by 174 - without translation. One to Autodesk and zero to 86 and 78.

Following are two portions of CIP data. The first a segment of the data forming part of a customer’s data, set ready for the un-authorized transmission to Autodesk.

__6ss_,5'9Z#KyeDESK_mc_mask_ ___

S_Jpa_}uqu_`.7+%120z?6V__mw_ ___

Mf$mc_mask_}Z ____U#Gc_mask_aI ____KG)~_squ>KUTODESK_mc_m}2?G3__O

_NI_}t_s}r_p_4 .?U.6_qlR95!"Qx~ODESK_mc_b2'*G$KyeDESK_b4R41<"]5KyeDESK_:"J=.:%Ga__RFTGI_9*^(|qz_xDL_WSCZ_uw_sLYk_aUTODEO_Z,7Vm(7v_sDVQioSK_mc_mask_aI_____ _$'_opc~_IU4'!2?o_rn_odR5____[~a_mc_mask_aUTS__ _G/cZ)|qz_wWJSE>0/o__h___

p_()QXJ__Z?*QsLYk_aUTODESK_mR95!"Qa__RFTC[

s____

The second portion provides the proof it is Autodesk behind the unconscionably intrusive, unauthorized data collection and transmission.

info Mon Oct x 200x 10:54:32.156000 pid:2xx8 tid:1x4 Transcripts C:\Documents and Settings\xxxx\Application Data\Autodesk\xxx...\{6BF97520-15F8-4437-B98C-533F8695DE9A}.zip of 116210 bytes is being sent to https://cip.autodesk.com/cipreceiver

No points to be won here but neither does it do much for 86 and 78; unless, of course they now choose to come clean. 86 is going to be constrained by Autodesk but 78 now has a little problem - credibility. As an industry participant 78 now needs to reveal what s/he truly knows and come to realize, I have (had for some time) Autodesk CIP data and understand how damaging it could be if the full details were revealed.

As I have done in the past I will allow others to draw their own conclusions about what these two individuals actually know, about CIP, if anything? I am not saying the two are completely wrong, they may just be ‘mushrooms’ spreading the spores they have been engineered to do; but as it stands, both these persons made statements for which neither were prepared to provide supporting evidence and, in the process, they have, contributed to the deception and customers concern and confusion in relation to the efficacy of Autodesk’s CIP.

Or did they simply lie? If so why?

Now let’s briefly return and again look at who may have been the most shortsighted: me for identifying potential business problems and bringing them into the open? Autodesk for thinking they could initiate and continue to do what they are doing (unnoticed)? 86 of Autodesk and or 78 174 for tromping out a different story - seemingly thinking they were defending Autodesk? Or industry (commentators and customers) who just sit on their hands thinking, and saying, there is nothing they can do to influence Autodesk or change the situation?

Autodesk’s activity, in relation to software licensing, subscription terms and conditions and CIP, is unconscionable and conduct customers should neither accept nor allow to continue. Those who choose to say, without having the full facts, or supporting evidence, Autodesk’s customers have nothing to fear from Autodesk’s terms and conditions and or CIP are standing on insecure ground.

It is easy, for the gutless, to throw stones at me but now having shown a small portion of the CIP data to hand, it is also easy to see why I never believed 86 and 78’s claims CIP data was ‘human readable’ and, knowing the data is not what customers would like to see leaving their computers it now, more than ever, allows others to see why I have asked the questions, I have, of Autodesk.

For me, getting answers to my questions remains something I will pursue until all are addressed properly and I am satisfied!

If my concerns were or are misplaced or wrong Autodesk, prove me wrong. As a customer it is not necessary for me to justify my position. As the vendor it is your obligation to justify, to your customers, your position and a socially responsible company would do so!

If my concerns were or are misplaced or wrong 86, prove me wrong. As a customer it is not necessary for me to justify my position to you. However, as a spokesperson for the vendor it is your obligation to be truthful when dealing with customers and a socially responsible individual would do so!

If my concerns were or are misplaced or wrong 78 174, prove me wrong. I have set out only to improve the knowledge available in our industry. I have done what my customers expect of me as their supplier and consultant; that alone justifies my position. Yours, 78 174 as an outspoken defender of another’s actions, with apparent ‘inside’ information, is the obligation to reveal what you ‘know’; a socially responsible individual** would do so!

I look forward to be proven wrong and have always said so – but which one of you three can do it now?

Which one of you three are going to tell Autodesk customers the truth about CIP and Autodesk’s terms and conditions and, who is going to be able to do it in a manner that would ensure, what ever the truth is, you can be believed?

For CIP; Autodesk’s actions to date, compromised by the apologists, has made the withdrawal of CIP or total transparency the only options available to Autodesk; are they a socially responsible company and up to the task or not?

For Autodesk’s software and subscription terms and conditions – well; truth supported by transparency are the only tools left for Autodesk to use. But? Given ‘the water that has passed under the bridge’, would any Autodesk staff member or legal representative ever be able to convince, Autodesk’s customers, or me, Autodesk’s answers and actions can be trusted?

In closing, I must repeat 78’s comment;

(Paul) “I pity your shortsightedness. It must kill you to know I hold the answer you are seeking.”

**You just gotter love this person; when serious business stuff is being debated this was 174’s best shot, a real professional! Add, s/he has not the guts to have a name attached to the comments you may conclude what the individual, now known as 78 174, says (about CIP) is just a load of bovine mushroom food!

Callan responds to Caveat emptor.

Steve Johnson (blog nauseam) harks from the other side of the Australian continent and sometimes those from ‘over there’ think we Easterners don’t listen, think or care about them; causing them to talk of secession – not too seriously I hope because they are great people and have a great state – to visit

;-)

There are areas Steve and I agree on and it would appear having customer questions answered is one such area.

A number of questions were asked of Callan Carpenter (Autodesk) and his appreciated response didn’t seem to really answer any of the questions and a subsequent prompt has done little to redress the situation. So this episode is another example of what I have experienced when dealing with Autodesk staff. Ask them what day it is or what products they sell and you will probably get an answer. Ask them a really important question, one about licencing, one about the ‘independence’ of a report or simply one about the numbers they quote and your chances of getting an answer is probably nil.

Steve asked his readers, “Readers, am I being too harsh here?” One responded suggesting there was no point in publicly beating up on Callan. Steve replied politely and his politeness has not been reciprocated; from Autodesk employees though we should never expect anything better than to be ignored when we pose questions of substance and importance, and Callan, it would appear, is no different. These are well paid people quite prepared to demonstrate their absolute contempt for their customers, with no regard to the effect their actions have on our daily lives.

Deelip said – “Try asking yourself what answers you would offer if you were in his position.”. Yes it is always a good idea to think about what a person may answer before asking the question but what is Deelip actually suggesting here? Steve didn’t want to substitute his answers – sensible so – but I thought I might ask my mate, Callan the Carpenter, to tell me what he would chisel into a timber slate as answers to the same questions.

Questions to Callan Carpenter – hereafter to be written ‘?CC’.

Answers will be shown thus ‘AbCtC’ = Answers by Callan the Carpenter.

?CC - Please clarify in as much detail as possible exactly how you arrive at your figures.

AbCtC - Guess work would be the greatest amount of detail I can provide. There exists no need to look for or use any real data because you and your readers would not be able to check and validate, anything I say – so why bother.

?CC - A percentage is derived by dividing one number by another; what exactly are you dividing by what to come up with 1.5%?

AbCtC - Yes, dividing one number by another and then multiplying the decimal by 100 is a common way to calculate a percentage. Though the number I chose – 1.5% - was selected using the proven method outlined in the first question.

?CC - Please explain why your statements appear to contradict Autodesk’s own published figures.

AbCtC - Contradictions are a standard tool used by most VPs to ensure they are noticed (the VP that is, not the comment. The later should be ignored; that is the comment should be ignored not the VP – I think). Not to contradict could have the effect of making my job appear redundant; after all why would the CEO and Board pay a VP that simply regurgitated a company line like our bloggers do?

?CC - How large is Autodesk’s total installed base?

AbCtC - Well I didn’t answer this question originally because in the passed really big numbers have been used to describe just how many customers we have hammered. You know 4 to 6 mil. has been bandied around and I have a lot of trouble getting my head around numbers of that size. What do you think I should use the same 4/6 mil. or should I use a larger number, say, around 10 mil. Even if I could get my head around big numbers, it is a very difficult answer to determine with the current level of technology I have available. I am sure you know our data base is a mess, using it to determine numbers of customers is pretty much the same process as for question one. One final point, on customer numbers, if I may. A problem with releasing customers numbers (if we had them, and I’m not saying we have), if you think about it, it would be the equivalent of giving our competitors very sensitive company confidential data. Importantly it would also give them an opportunity to publicly dispute my numbers and ridicule Autodesk and me in the market place. I don’t think I could handle criticism of me using big numbers.

Points of dispute

?CC - Because Autodesk made Subscription cheaper than upgrading, it is no surprise that upgrading became less popular. This doesn’t indicate that customers prefer doing business in that way, merely that Autodesk made it the cheapest alternative.

AbCtC - I know what I said originally about customers leveraging the Subscription program but it is also important to say, repeating the question asked as an answer is a stalling tactic. The how to, why and when to (stall that is) is outlined in the publication ‘VP Interview Responses for Dummies’ – a MUST read for all VPs.

The truthful answer is, of course, Subscription appears cheaper only because we chose to make it look cheaper, we could have made it look more expensive. Customer preference is not important enough to consider when you realize subscription has the advantage (to Autodesk) of being a customer trap so we thought it was more important to make it look cheaper to foil the customer. We know our customers are not too bright so it also seemed logical (to us) that if we used a smaller number for the Subscription then the customer would gravitate towards it just as I do. Big numbers are difficult to work with; I think I covered why in an earlier question.

?CC - If the idea of Subscription is such an attractive proposition, why do you need to sweeten the deal with tools that you don’t allow upgraders to have?

AbCtC - Again I needed to stall in my original reply: but now I can answer the question truthfully. Subscription is an attractive proposition because it looks cheaper. But just looking cheaper I did not think was enough to trap (all) customers. So, to increase the number of customers tricked it was decided we should use a method of deception similar to that which is employed in nature – sugar. I really like pitcher plants and the deception they use and, I also see a similarity between customers and the insects the plants catch. Customers are like ants crawling all over us (at Autodesk) with hard to answer questions and high expectations so we decided to sugar coat the thresh hold of the (Subscription) trap and as the customer follows the sugar they soon find there is no way back. I really don’t think our customer are smart enough to see in advance what is going to happen to them; just like flies and other pesky insects don’t realize what the pitcher plant is doing. Don’t want to let the ‘cat out of the bag’ but this is also important for our cumulus future.

?CC - Your assertion that the 12-month cycle is driven by the product teams is incorrect. It was chosen for business reasons and the product cycle was forced to fit the Subscription model.

AbCtC - Yes you are is correct; it was purely a business decision. We did it to make sure our staff feel like they are doing something for the customers and it gives our paid cheer squad (evangelists and bloggers) something to spruik about. It also keeps many sensible customers off balance trying to keep up with those stupidly loyally customers who have to have our latest software whether it makes commercial sense or not. It is also important to catch customers off guard; our (Autodesk’s) cumulus future relies on customers accepting software changes just happen, constantly, and for no reason, just like cell division. To be part of our success customers should see it as a privilege to write cheques (to Autodesk) each year, for those changes, whether or not anything useful is supplied. When, we believe, they have become use to this process it is going to be much easier to ‘shift’ them to pay by the month/minute. I cannot say why we are going to, er, might be going to do this – cause we might not – but probably will – well maybe. I think it is also important customers understand my job is to ensure customers keep spending (sending us) money, whether they are making money (using our products) or not, is not my problem. Details of that role, of mine, are also outlined in the Dummies manual for VPs.

In closing, Callan (Autodesk) pretty much wasted the time he did spend replying to Steve and there will be those who say Callan the Carpenter has done the same. But Aussie tradies love to poke fun at politicians and business people they see as being a 'waste of space'. In the case of Autodesk, a company that appears to be run like a government/public service and so full of people who have simply lost the plot (also like our government and its public service) it is surprising to some that they keep running at all (and they can't be voted out). But my mate Callan the Carpenter has an answer for this too. He says, "the problem is Autodesk’s customers are just too lazy and gutless for their own good"; he continues, "they should stop taking the crap being dished out by Autodesk management and stand up for themselves". He recons we are jerks if we don’t and he wants to know, and will be watching to see if the bloke he has just taken the mickey out of is game enough to do what he should have done properly in the first place. I think I agree with him – do you?