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I recently took some files off of my old laptop to put on my new one, Rhapsody music files (.rax) to be exact. I believed that since I already owned the license to them, it wouldn't be any problem to put them on another computer with the same account, I mean, this is a file type created by Rhapsody, why wouldn't it track where it's been? Obviously, my hopes were set very high. They played when I initially imported them, but after about a day, they became unusable, claiming a license was not owned.

Perhaps I was presumptuous. What with illegal music sharing being what it is, I can't rule out a music provider simply making the file useless if it has been copied. But I would think that if you're taking all your files to a new computer, then Rhapsody would include a special app to send files with the original license. I have not found such an application.

On the other hand, I also transferred ArcSoft's PhotoImpression and VideoImpression to my new computer, owning the full licenses from a webcam I bought. They transferred easily and I am, in fact, registering and updating them now. (Thank goodness I didn't do it on my old lappy)

And for a third note, I'd like to mention McAfee's Security Center. I own a special free version for AOL users and wanted to take that protection to my new laptop, since the Norton Trial already installed was very limited. But I cannot, for the life of me, find the application file. I've searched and it just doesn't show up. I know McAfee was a startup program on my old laptop, so it probably has a startup executable, but I haven't seen it. I think that you should be able to notify McAfee of a computer switch and receive an executable file that repackages the program into a Microsoft Installer Package (.msi) and deletes old log files. Maybe have a username and password system so that no one can simply take the file as they please. As it is, I will probably just go back to aol.com and get another copy of the application.

I like the way Steam handles your bought merchandise. You can move the files around at will, from computer to computer without much hassle. (Other than maybe having an internet connection slower than snail mail) As long as you don't get a permanent ban for doing something wrong on Steam, you can keep your games for as long as you like, and it makes it vastly easy to install these games and play them within moments of completing the installation, not to mention the free connection to any and all updates to your games.

Thus is my soapbox. Please do not steal the soap, though. It's for the kids. =]