This is awful.
I've been a BIG creative fan for years. I still use an EMU 1212m from time to time.
One of the main reasons I don't upgrade to Vista is driver support is still lacking for sound cards. This forum post is really disappointing if it's true. That Creative is blocking community driver development is frustrating, but that they might be purposely withholding full functionality from Vista users (something alluded to in Phil O'Shaughnessy's forum post, as apparently these technologies of their's DO work), is almost criminal.
Here's Phil's forum post:
Daniel_K:
We are aware that you have been assisting owners of our Creative sound cards for some time now, by providing unofficial driver packages for Vista that deliver more of the original functionality that was found in the equivalent XP packages for those sound cards. In principle we don't have a problem with you helping users in this way, so long as they understand that any driver packages you supply are not supported by Creative. Where we do have a problem is when technology and IP owned by Creative or other companies that Creative has licensed from, are made to run on other products for which they are not intended. We took action to remove your thread because, like you, Creative and its technology partners think it is only fair to be compensated for goods and services. The difference in this case is that we own the rights to the materials that you are distributing. By enabling our technology and IP to run on sound cards for which it was not originally offered or intended, you are in effect, stealing our goods. When you solicit donations for providing packages like this, you are profiting from something that you do not own. If we choose to develop and provide host-based processing features with certain sound cards and not others, that is a business decision that only we have the right to make.
Although you say you have discontinued your practice of distributing unauthorized software packages for Creative sound cards we have seen evidence of them elsewhere along with donation requests from you. We also note in a recent post of yours on these forums, that you appear to be contemplating the release of further packages. To be clear, we are asking you to respect our legal rights in this matter and cease all further unauthorized distribution of our technology and IP. In addition we request that you observe our forum rules and respect our right to enforce those rules. If you are in any doubt as to what we would consider unacceptable then please request clarification through one of our forum moderators before posting.
Phil O'Shaughnessy
VP Corporate Communications
Creative Labs Inc.Forum Moderator
Creative Labs
read more | digg story
And here's the forum. ANGRY Creative users! ANGRY!!!
I know this wont be a huge deal to them, but I will be removing all Creative and EMU products from my store until this is sorted out...
***UPDATE 3-30-2008***
Here's what one Digg user did with his (link to Digg story):
What's sad is it probably works just as well in Vista now as it did before...
some audio guy someaudioguy store creative recording drivers software asshatery digg support angry bonehead voice over voice acting
*** UPDATE: 4/04/2008***
Gizmodo is reporting that Creative has reversed their ridiculously stupid and arbitrarily arrogant decision to pull Daniel_K's working Vista drivers.
They've made it clear in their response that it was ALL Vista's fault, why they couldn't get working drivers up (though apparently just one guy in their forums could, huh, interesting).
Well Daniel_K's work mught be great, but I'm feeling snarky. Until Creative has released official Vista drivers (with FULL FUNCTIONALITY) for their sound cards, I'm leaving them off my store.
Take THAT Creative!
