The release of FTK 2 has created much more confusion than we had anticipated, so we would like to take a moment to once again clarify a very important point. FTK 2 is not meant to be a replacement for FTK 1 for all customers. While some customers will likely see FTK 2 as a superior solution and make the move, some will no doubt prefer the simplicity and minimal hardware requirements of version 1. It is for that reason that we are committed to not forcing our customers to choose between the two. Not only does every dongle of FTK 2 ship with a full working copy of FTK 1(both solutions can be utilized at the same time), but we are continuing to support and develop FTK 1. A new version of FTK 1 will be releaed shortly with some powerful new features, and there will be additional new releases in the future.
We acknowledge there are challenges with FTK 2, such as slow processing, complex installation and GUI response issues. We are very well aware of these issues and diligently working on addressing them as quickly as possible. Over time, as we learn to take greater advantage of the power that a database-driven approach provides, we believe the vast majority of the customer base will transition. However we are not now, nor do we plan to in the future, forcing custumers in one direction or the other. There are situations in which a database-driven solution is better and situations in which a memory-based solution is best. Therefore we are enabling you with both, and will allow you to decide when to use each.
We appreciate the continued feedback and support. We know we have not made it the easiest transition and for that we apologize. It is nobody’s fault but our own as the product manufacturer. So AccessData is committed to making FTK 2 easier to use and to providing continued customer support and educational resources for those who are interested in them.
Just in case you were wondering …
it's not just Access Data, but what other industries produce products so far from being ready for the market, imagine selling a car that had such "challenges"
I got that email last night and started thinking…class action lawsuit, for inflating costs for a broken product, not delivering anywhere near when they claimed, and forcing people to pay for a product that hadn't yet been released. They called it an "upgrade" to ftk2. There was no option to just maintain 1.x without buying rights to ftk2. Why, if it is not a "replacement" for 1.x did they force the upgrade price? if ftk2 is not the "right" product for my shop, why was I forced to buy it? In addition, why knowingly release a broken product? They claim industry pressure..how about pressure caused by their own idiotic marketing department?
I wonder how many people it took to craft that email. "challenges" is not the word I'd use.
what does it say about our industry where the two dominant software producers both seem to be up to the same tricks?
Am I missing something here, why is it not possible to produce a piece of kit that just works? isn't it down to the staff and beta testers to sought these issues out? not the end user
Wow, this is really a shame. Sounds like scope creep beyond control..
Matt
"So AccessData is committed to making FTK 2 easier to use"
How about making it work? Should you manage to get your evidence processed and analyzed try duplicating results. Good luck in court.
This response is much to little to late. I struggled with 2.0 for a while until finally determining it is rubbish. We have always used FTK as our primary tool because of the consistency and ease of use. 2.0 has thrown all f this out the window. I evaluate tools for my shop and pretty much decide what we get, I won't even look at the AD Mobile product. They must be taking lessons from Microsoft… at least the Xbox 360 had a 60% of working correctly.
I'm also disappointed about FTK 2.0. But at least they are going to continue to work on new releases and improvements for both FTK 2.X and 1.X. I also have unistalled FTK 2.0 from my machines until improvements have been made. But from past experiences that I had with AD (training, sales, support etc…), I have good faith that they will get FTK 2.0 working properly. I'm not a expert and sometimes I don't even consider myself smart D , but I think FTK 2.0 has potential. So I'm going to stick by AD and not bail out from them YET (I paid for this software out of my own pocket!!!).
But who keeps all their eggs in one basket? I have a older version of Encase (It's so old, but it gets the job done D ). I'm also looking into FResponse software (very affordable and also seems to get the job done). Plus endless open source tools.
Just my 2 cents
HHmmm Still on 1.X, Sounds like this is the "Vista" of CF tools.
Might change the nome to FTU "$%# The User".
Toss it and press on.
E5Pro,
That's a good one and you could be 100% right. But I still think that FTK 2.X got pontential. If you viewed AD tutorials and they "eventually" get it to work properly, it's really a improvement from the previous versions. If they don't fix it, I will toss it and press on like you said. There are very good tools out there (some of them free) that can do the job.
The product is an embarrassment.
FTK 2.0 is 64bit compatible EXCEPT for the 32bit Oracle connector.
The solution from Access Data with respect to running in a 64bit environment run it under VMWare.
Oh good lord. roll