🚀 go-pugleaf

google@sale-net.com.au (Peter) wrote:

>Hi all. I am at witts end and sick of search engines. I am looking for
>a registration system/code protection I can use that does the
>following.
[...]
>AND SUPPORT. I want to be able to get SUPPORT.....

Have you looked into ProActivate from TurboPower.com? I suspect it
would do all you're asking for, and their support is stellar.

Maybe you'd like Palladium...

Peter wrote:
> Hi all. I am at witts end and sick of search engines. I am looking for
> a registration system/code protection I can use that does the
> following.
> 
>  - I would like to have the ability to use either a dll, a component
> or some way of genorating registration codes by my existing sales
> mechanism. I already have a selling/payment system in place so I don't
> mind setting up each application by hand as it is realeased but do not
> want to have to genorate licenses by hand.
> 
> - No Dll's or extra's to send with file. I have no problems wrapping
> an application but do not want to end up sending something else. Just
> the exe and perhaps a data file maybe.
> 
> - Locked to a computer. However I would like (really big ask here) for
> the ability to be notified say if one part is changed. IE: if the user
> changes the HDD he gets a warning to update a key/rego. If he say
> changes 2 then it stops...
> 
> Have a bit of protection in regards to changing the exe and running
> debuggers etc.
> 
> AND SUPPORT. I want to be able to get SUPPORT.....
> 
> 
> 
> Look I know it is a big ask but I have mangaed to find bits I like in
> some and they are missing bits I like in others. I have an existing
> one but cannot seem to get support.
> 
> regards, Peter

Proactive is the way I am leaning towords at the moment.

Regards, Peter



Eric Schreiber <eric@_nospam_kobayashi.com> wrote in message news:<v0fltu8qt8td5cpph144rhiunpe1p4d681@4ax.com>...
> google@sale-net.com.au (Peter) wrote:
> 
> >Hi all. I am at witts end and sick of search engines. I am looking for
> >a registration system/code protection I can use that does the
> >following.
>  [...]
> >AND SUPPORT. I want to be able to get SUPPORT.....
> 
> Have you looked into ProActivate from TurboPower.com? I suspect it
> would do all you're asking for, and their support is stellar.

Armadillo....I've been evaluating it for a few days now and it is excellent
so far. They have great support, and it does everything you mentioned and
much, much more at a very good price. The file size is actually smaller once
"wrapped", and there are no extra files whatsoever. Full support for
hardware locking, including configuration changes, etc. etc..

http://www.siliconrealms.com/armadillo.htm#ArmadilloLM

Calan

"Peter" <google@sale-net.com.au> wrote in message
news:6a3f6a71.0211191335.47e8be13@posting.google.com...
> Hi all. I am at witts end and sick of search engines. I am looking for
> a registration system/code protection I can use that does the
> following.
>
>  - I would like to have the ability to use either a dll, a component
> or some way of genorating registration codes by my existing sales
> mechanism. I already have a selling/payment system in place so I don't
> mind setting up each application by hand as it is realeased but do not
> want to have to genorate licenses by hand.
>
> - No Dll's or extra's to send with file. I have no problems wrapping
> an application but do not want to end up sending something else. Just
> the exe and perhaps a data file maybe.
>
> - Locked to a computer. However I would like (really big ask here) for
> the ability to be notified say if one part is changed. IE: if the user
> changes the HDD he gets a warning to update a key/rego. If he say
> changes 2 then it stops...
>
> Have a bit of protection in regards to changing the exe and running
> debuggers etc.
>
> AND SUPPORT. I want to be able to get SUPPORT.....
>
>
>
> Look I know it is a big ask but I have mangaed to find bits I like in
> some and they are missing bits I like in others. I have an existing
> one but cannot seem to get support.
>
> regards, Peter

google@sale-net.com.au (Peter) wrote:

>Proactive is the way I am leaning towords at the moment.

Me too. I downloaded the demo version last night and started tinkering
with it. It looks like it will do most everything I want, with one
exception - when using license files instead of keys, I can't just
provide a list of licenses to my registration service (RegNow). 

This would mean that I'd have to be really on the ball and send out
license files asap after people registered. For big ticket software
this seems like a good fit (and I have a project in mind where it
would be ideal) but for $15 shareware it doesn't feel right.

So, while the product looks excellent, it might not quite fit my
immediate requirements. Going to take a look at Armadillo next, since
RegNow (as I recall) directly supports it.

Whilst looking around on the net in this area I have seen sveral posts
etc that Armadillo is simple to break. I am in no way saying that
anything is uncrackable but the amount of postings re this program is
vast and varied. In fact I went to one known crack search engine just
this morning and did a quick look up and found a UN-Armadillo type
crack in 5 minutes. This was for version 1.3. It does look like
Armadillo will do what I want but if it is easy to get around (and in
no way amd I saying it is) what's the point?




"Calan" <calan_svcREMOVE@yaNOSPAMhoo.com> wrote in message news:<t4IC9.1337$f54.243228708@twister2.starband.net>...
> Armadillo....I've been evaluating it for a few days now and it is excellent
> so far. They have great support, and it does everything you mentioned and
> much, much more at a very good price. The file size is actually smaller once
> "wrapped", and there are no extra files whatsoever. Full support for
> hardware locking, including configuration changes, etc. etc..
> 
> http://www.siliconrealms.com/armadillo.htm#ArmadilloLM
> 
> Calan
> 
> "Peter" <google@sale-net.com.au> wrote in message
> news:6a3f6a71.0211191335.47e8be13@posting.google.com...
> > Hi all. I am at witts end and sick of search engines. I am looking for
> > a registration system/code protection I can use that does the
> > following.
> >
> >  - I would like to have the ability to use either a dll, a component
> > or some way of genorating registration codes by my existing sales
> > mechanism. I already have a selling/payment system in place so I don't
> > mind setting up each application by hand as it is realeased but do not
> > want to have to genorate licenses by hand.
> >
> > - No Dll's or extra's to send with file. I have no problems wrapping
> > an application but do not want to end up sending something else. Just
> > the exe and perhaps a data file maybe.
> >
> > - Locked to a computer. However I would like (really big ask here) for
> > the ability to be notified say if one part is changed. IE: if the user
> > changes the HDD he gets a warning to update a key/rego. If he say
> > changes 2 then it stops...
> >
> > Have a bit of protection in regards to changing the exe and running
> > debuggers etc.
> >
> > AND SUPPORT. I want to be able to get SUPPORT.....
> >
> >
> >
> > Look I know it is a big ask but I have mangaed to find bits I like in
> > some and they are missing bits I like in others. I have an existing
> > one but cannot seem to get support.
> >
> > regards, Peter

This is the reason I wanted a dll or api etc to create the keys etc.
My idea (and I have no problems in sharing the system or idea) is
this.

The user grabs a copy of my software from whereever. The first time it
runs it says you need a trial key. Please follow the link (http). The
link takes them to my system and passes the HARDWARE fingerprint to my
cgi and asks the user for a valid email address. It then sends a trial
key valid for 30 days or whatever back vai the mail. It also creates
what i call an invoice page for that user and notifies him of this in
the same email.


The user is up and away once the mail gets there.


at any time in the next 30 days he can click on the link for the
invoice page and is offered a huge array of software registration
systems he can elect to pay with. PAYPAL is how I like it. I have
written to most of the ones I can find and have found heaps that will
let me pass a unique field (what I call a transaction number) to the
payment system. Once they pay the amount and email from the
registration system is sent back to my server which is read by my
registration system matching the transaction number to the invoice etc
and then genorates a new 90 day key and again emails it to the user.

If in 90 days I get a charge back due to a credit card fraud or
whatever I simply mark that transaction and nothing more tkes place.
if however nothing is wrong in 90 days or just before a NEW key with
an expire dateof some 20 years away is mailed with either an
explanation or simply and email saying due to our system crashing we
have had to upgrade your key.....

Look the system is not impossible to break but I want to go away
fishing etc and needed a way to do the above for a few weeks at a
time. Idealy I would like to be able to call a HTTP page/cgi passing
the FINGERPRINT directly from the WRAPPER TYPE protection scheme but
this may not be possible...

Regards, Peter



Eric Schreiber <eric@_nospam_kobayashi.com> wrote in message news:<idontuk7fshmg1m2ng8mgje2fkcr3kkimd@4ax.com>...
> google@sale-net.com.au (Peter) wrote:
> 
> >Proactive is the way I am leaning towords at the moment.
> 
> Me too. I downloaded the demo version last night and started tinkering
> with it. It looks like it will do most everything I want, with one
> exception - when using license files instead of keys, I can't just
> provide a list of licenses to my registration service (RegNow). 
> 
> This would mean that I'd have to be really on the ball and send out
> license files asap after people registered. For big ticket software
> this seems like a good fit (and I have a project in mind where it
> would be ideal) but for $15 shareware it doesn't feel right.
> 
> So, while the product looks excellent, it might not quite fit my
> immediate requirements. Going to take a look at Armadillo next, since
> RegNow (as I recall) directly supports it.

google@sale-net.com.au (Peter) wrote:

>The user grabs a copy of my software from whereever. The first time it
>runs it says you need a trial key. Please follow the link (http). The
>link takes them to my system and passes the HARDWARE fingerprint to my
>cgi and asks the user for a valid email address. It then sends a trial
>key valid for 30 days or whatever back vai the mail. It also creates
>what i call an invoice page for that user and notifies him of this in
>the same email.

[etc]

Well, as you're posting this in a shareware group, I'm going to assume
you're talking about a shareware application. 

If that's the case, let me offer my opinion... You're welcome to
ignore it, of course.

The system you're describing is far too involved. I would think that a
software seller would want potential users to jump through as few
hoops as possible.

For starters, as a shareware buyer, I detest the idea of using
software that is license linked to my hardware. Especially as I change
my system configuration fairly often. At the shareware level, I would
find a different program rather than use a license like this.

Second, you're requiring your users to get no less than *three* keys
between when they first download the program and when they have a
final paid-for licensed copy. Unless you can find a bulletproof way to
do this behind the scenes without any user intervention, you're going
to turn off potential buyers with this. And if you remove any user
intervention, bear in mind that if the system fails even once, you've
practically guaranteed that trial user won't become a customer!

And finally, no matter how complex your licensing key scheme is, the
weak point is still in the actual executable itself. A cracker isn't
going to even notice your three-download key system - he's just going
to crack the actual program and bypass all your effort.


>in 90 days or just before a NEW key with an expire dateof some 20 
>years away is mailed with either an explanation or simply and 
>email saying due to our system crashing we have had to upgrade
>your key.....

Lying to your customer about why you're sending so many keys isn't
exactly good business practice. And the first one who doesn't install
your 'final' key by the drop dead date will see right through it.

>Look the system is not impossible to break 

And no level of complexity in the key delivery system will make it
harder for a cracker to break. You're simply introducing more ways for
your system to fail, and for you to lose potential customers.

>I want to go away fishing etc and needed a way to do the 
>above for a few weeks at a time.

For my shareware, I supplied the registration service with a list of
valid serial/key combinations, and they hand them out automatically as
users register the software. The user has a licensed copy within
minutes of registering, without any intervention by me. If I provided
a big enough list, I could go away for a decade and it would be
handled automatically by my service.

"Peter" <google@sale-net.com.au> wrote in message
news:6a3f6a71.0211201856.6a47a3b6@posting.google.com...
> This is the reason I wanted a dll or api etc to create the keys etc.
> My idea (and I have no problems in sharing the system or idea) is
> this.
>
> The user grabs a copy of my software from whereever. The first time it
> runs it says you need a trial key. Please follow the link (http). The
> link takes them to my system and passes the HARDWARE fingerprint to my

I'm losing interest right about here...

> cgi and asks the user for a valid email address. It then sends a trial
> blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah
> blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah

That's what the user will see, as he hits the cancel button, cancels the
email, and removes your software from his system.

Try to see this from your user's point of view.  What would you (or some
people you know) think of the process you've outlined for some of the
software you've bought in the past?  People like to try things anonymously,
and if they really like it, then they just might buy it.  A lot of people
are very reluctant to enter their email address into another potential spam
engine (not that you'd do that).  If you want an online key generator, you
might as well do the whole process on the same web page in one shot.  People
also like things to be instantaneous in this instant computer generated
solution age.  The most instantaneous way of providing trial registration is
to have it built-in, so that it activates the trial period the first time it
is used.  This is how most commercial registration packages work.  It's
better to utilize the experience and work of others who make it their
regular business to develop and maintain registration tools.  Get Armadillo
or one of the other registration tools.


--
Mark Martin
Emporium Software
www.emporium-sw.com  --  Portfolio based security trading system analysis
mark@emporium-sw.com

I agree that some users will not like the system. If they don't try it
then so be it. However if they are interested in your product they
will go further. It is this market I am trying to capture. the ones
that have researched what they want and are willing to go that extra
bit to try out a quality product. I am in no way saying you are wrong
but I know in myself if I want to try something I will. It looks like
I will be using Armadillo and I might simply put a default key in.
However I like the idea of locking a key to the system it is used on.

So I can say that Arma is my choice so far but still looking into
getting a trial key or adding a default trial period to the package...





"Mark Martin" <mark@emporium-sw.com> wrote in message news:<arjd6t$d58$1@slb4.atl.mindspring.net>...
> "Peter" <google@sale-net.com.au> wrote in message
> news:6a3f6a71.0211201856.6a47a3b6@posting.google.com...
> > This is the reason I wanted a dll or api etc to create the keys etc.
> > My idea (and I have no problems in sharing the system or idea) is
> > this.
> >
> > The user grabs a copy of my software from whereever. The first time it
> > runs it says you need a trial key. Please follow the link (http). The
> > link takes them to my system and passes the HARDWARE fingerprint to my
> 
> I'm losing interest right about here...
> 
> > cgi and asks the user for a valid email address. It then sends a trial
>

Peter wrote,

> If in 90 days I get a charge back due to a credit card fraud or
> whatever I simply mark that transaction and nothing more tkes place.
> if however nothing is wrong in 90 days or just before a NEW key with
> an expire dateof some 20 years away is mailed with either an
> explanation or simply and email saying due to our system crashing we
> have had to upgrade your key.....
>

FWIW with SWREG you can issue a temporary key and then as long as you have 
not done a refund (or we have had a chargeback) the permanent key gets issued 
automatically after a number of days you determine.


--
Steve Lee 
http://swreg.org  - *We can sell your program for as low as 69 cents*
http://getafile.com -  *Fast low cost bandwidth from only $1.95 a gigabyte*