VFP 7.0 license restriction for distribution 2

[bettyfurr]

I need to be able to restrict the usage and installation of an application to the number of licenses purchased. I will buy a 3rd party addin if this is necessary. Can someone help me?

Thanks betty.

 

[Mike Gagnon]

Create a small table the holds the current logged in users and record who logs in with the loggin screen.

 

[bettyfurr]

Thank you for your response. I think your answer would restrict the the number of users on the application not the number of installs of the software. That is what I need.

Betty

 

[Mike Gagnon]

bettyfur

sorry, I misunderstood your question.

I remember a software we purchased, that had a scheme like that. I was distributed via a CD (And since you cannot write on a CD to count the installs) it used a diskette with a validation code and obviously it also recorded the amount of installs because it stopped us at 3.

 

[bettyfurr]

That's the software I need. Does anyone know how to purchase this?

Betty

 

[wgcs]

For one, it's not too hard to simply include as part of the first run of your program some code to ask for the floppy disk and write an encoded value to it (or increment an encoded value).

This method (even using 3rd party software) doesn't solve the problem if the user recognizes the reason for the floppy disk and copies it before installing.

See

http://www.paceap.com/

(they claim their Key disks can't be copied)
or

http://search.yahoo.com/bin/search?p=copy+protection+software

for a list of solutions.

 

[DEDMOD]

Why not set up a website or helpline where the customer enters a customer ID number and his computer #, or the date or whatever you think will work and after checking that he has installs remaining, you calculate a key which he can use with whatever you've selected to unlock the software?

The trouble with all such systems though, is that no matter how hard you try, ultimately either someone can game them or you end up with highly disgruntled customers when they have to jump through hoops just to install your software.

To know why perfection in such matters is impossible, go find an old copy of Godel, Escher, Bach by Douglas Hofstedter and read it, especially the section on 'perfect' record players. Dave Dardinger

 

[baltman]

I asked a related question a little while ago. This thread may give you a few ideas...

thread184-275655

Brian

 

[chpicker]

There's an API function that will retrieve the serial number from the user's hard drive. You can use this to generate a license key that will only work on that hard drive.

Ian

 

[rgbean]

Ian,
Unfortunately that's a "soft" serial number, and you can change it. If your IT department uses Ghost (or a similar product) to roll out multiple systems at the same time, they all have the same serial number!

Rick