Does software that requires an ADB-based “dongle” work with the Power Mac G4?
For readers who may not be familar with the term “dongle” — a dongle is a small cable that ships with some high-end, expensive page layout and CAD software packages. Upon starting the software, the computer searches for the dongle and makes sure that it is plugged into the applicable port on the back of the computer. If it is not found, then the software will not operate. Since hardware is considerably more difficult to copy and distribute than software, the dongle provides a fairly high-level of copy protection, discouraging casual software piracy. According to documentation that was available at the time, ADB dongles will not work with the Power Mac G4, but a USB dongle should work, and to “contact the vendor for further information”. USB dongles that are designed to work with the Power Mac G4 do indeed operate properly. Fortunately, this became less and less of an issue as companies that sold software requiring a dongle started providing USB-based dongles with the software. Typical
