Issues when using Photo Mechanic when I don't have reliable internet access

[jwarren]

I've used PM since it was first introduced and usually love it. I often travel internationally, and work in locations without reliable internet access. In the past 6 months, PM has become almost unusable in those situations, running incredibly slowly, then freezing, requiring "force quit" to turn off. Turning off wifi access, doesn't solve the issue. I've resorted to using Bridge, which I am not fond of.

As soon as I am back in my home office, on a good network, PM hums along nicely again.

This issue has our Mac support tech (former Apple support staff) completely stumped.

I'm on the latest version of PM, on a MacBook Pro M1, also on latest software updates. I re-imaged my hard drive and reinstalled PM in the latest version, but am still having issues in stations where I don't have internet access.

Is there some setting I need to change in PM settings? Anyone facing this issue?  Appreciate any suggestions.

[Kirk Baker]

I've used PM since it was first introduced and usually love it. I often travel internationally, and work in locations without reliable internet access. In the past 6 months, PM has become almost unusable in those situations, running incredibly slowly, then freezing, requiring "force quit" to turn off. Turning off wifi access, doesn't solve the issue. I've resorted to using Bridge, which I am not fond of.

As soon as I am back in my home office, on a good network, PM hums along nicely again.

This issue has our Mac support tech (former Apple support staff) completely stumped.

I'm on the latest version of PM, on a MacBook Pro M1, also on latest software updates. I re-imaged my hard drive and reinstalled PM in the latest version, but am still having issues in stations where I don't have internet access.

Is there some setting I need to change in PM settings? Anyone facing this issue?  Appreciate any suggestions.

Which version and build are you using?  None of the versions of Photo Mechanic currently supported (Photo Mechanic 6 or Photo Mechanic 2025) require a constant internet connection to function properly.  Photo Mechanic 6, once activated only contacts services over the internet when you have set it to check for updates, use Reverse Geocoding, or when you use one of the Upload Templates.  Photo Mechanic 2025 contacts a server on startup to check for license compliance, but otherwise operates the same as Photo Mechanic 6.

Is it possible that one of your drives is a remote (cloud or otherwise server-based) drive and performs poorly when your internet connection is bad?

-Kirk

[jwarren]

I'm on build 8239 (63d9685). I'm not aware of any cloud-servers or drives -- but will check with my IT dept. Thanks for the suggestion.

[Kirk Baker]

I'm on build 8239 (63d9685). I'm not aware of any cloud-servers or drives -- but will check with my IT dept. Thanks for the suggestion.

OK, if you want troubleshooting help, I suggest contacting our support folks at:

By email: support@camerabits.com

By phone: +1 503.547.2888

Hours: Mon-Fri, 9:00am-5:00pm [PST/PDT]

[TomP]

Kirk, side question if I May? You say PM 2025 contacts a server on startup, what is the situation if there’s no internet access? How long will PM run without contacting the server?

[Max Lemesh]

Very interested in this issue too. Could it be switched to checking once a week or something?
Especially on perpetual license.

It's all good when you have access to internet and it is invisible and happens in the background, and could be rather annoying when PM decides to do it when you are on the go and need something done quick, but HEY LETS DOUBLE CHECK THAT YOU LICENSE IS VALID RIGHT NOW

[TomP]

Could it be switched to checking once a week or something?

From memory, Adobe products will run for a month without internet access for licence purposes. I would hope that was the minimum?

[ahoward]

Could it be switched to checking once a week or something?

It *tries* to check every launch.
If it fails, in current builds you don't even so much as get notified until it has been 30 days (if you are on a perpetual or annual license) since the last successful check.
If it is successful, it resets the clock on those 30-days.

So it is already more lenient than what you are suggesting.

Especially on perpetual license.

Perpetual licenses still have the capability of having their activation revoked through a web portal so that users don't have to wait for a reply from one of the humans that works at Camera Bits to be able to free up a seat on their license when they have lost or are otherwise unable to access a computer. In order for that to work, the software needs to contact the licensing server every so often, even if it is a perpetual license. We have workarounds for users who need to go longer than a month without a successful check and are on a perpetual license and they are welcome to contact support directly if that is their need.

HEY LETS DOUBLE CHECK THAT YOU LICENSE IS VALID RIGHT NOW

Even in older builds where Photo Mechanic *did* warn you every time that it failed to check the licensing server, it was simply a matter of dismissing the notification and carrying on working. We are very aware that some people don't have an internet connection every time they open Photo Mechanic and have designed it with the intent that a temporary lack of internet would not impede user's ability to use the program.

[TomP]

Good to know. Thank you.