I wrote:
The truly critical element here is for each user to make
certain that every data file considered critical are stored in an
accessible format. To that end, I'd submit that ~.mus files are not
as good a choice for long term archival purposes as ~.etf files. . . .
to which David Fenton responded
Assuming you're going to reverse engineer the data structure, yes, of
course.
But the whole point of the key escrow is that IT OBVIATES THE NEED TO
RE-ENGINEER. How anyone could not think that would be preferable to
the mere hope (fantasy?) of reverse engineering the file format, I
can't imagine.
I don't think reverse engineering the data structure is necessary, as
it's most likely published as part of the Plug-in Developer's Kit
But that kind of data loss happens only to individuals, whereas the
failure of MakeMusic locks up the data of everyone who has purchased
the authenticated versions of Finale.
...<snip>...
The cost to MakeMusic of key escrow is very low relative to the cost
incurred by users of Finale should MM fail in the absence of key
escrow. There is no logical explanation for their failure to provide
insurance to their users.
But an escrowed untether is no guarantee either; there's no guarantee
that the escrow agent(s) is going to still be around when MakeMusic
fails, either. Insurance and trust companies go out of business on a
regular basis.
ns
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