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I have a program "protected" by C/R nearing release just when the long simmering opposition to C/R copy protection in the target market audio industry has boiled over.
It is getting so bad that many simply won't buy a product using C/R as if they change hardware and the small provider such as myself goes away then they are up a crick. I sympathize with them.
I went looking at usb dongle providers but are prohibitively expensive given the relatively inexpensive cost of my product and it's limited projected sales base.
I am more than aware that nothing is uncrackable but short of releasing a sheep to slaughter with no copy protection what so ever, what am I to do?
Thanks y'all
:Ron
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Ron Anders wrote: limited projected sales
So, you won't lose much, why bother?
We write code for the challenge; not for money.
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PIEBALDconsult wrote: We write code for the challenge; not for money.
No, we write code for the challenge and the money.
Marc
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Ron Anders wrote: long simmering opposition to C/R copy protection
They obviously want it for free as this does not seem too onerous a requirement to use software. C/R every time it runs is another matter.
I know it seems a platitude but we all must ensure our software does things better than our competitors (however that is measured). This provides the incentive for users and copy protection then comes with the turf.
Peter Wasser
Art is making something out of nothing and selling it.
Frank Zappa
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You're subject-line reminds me of Tongo[^]: "confront", "evade", "acquire", or "retreat"
Sounds like your customers are in retreat. 
Marc
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I use ESecuTech UniKey dongles, they are relatively cheap ($30-$36) and can be purchased in singles:
ESecuTech Unikey Store[^]
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Wow, Thank Ron
I had missed ESevuTech.
There's hope again.
:Ron
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This is a very good question.
I do not have the answer either.
Below is what I have been doing.
I use the KeyLok II USB dongle as a security key in some of my stuff. http://www.keylok.com/[^]
These are great and relatively inexpensive for a project that requires extra security for both the creator and the end user.
For small commercial applications however, an extra $21.50 USD can elevate the total price too much and effect sales drastically.
For smaller cheaper apps I have combined two products from a company called Infralution. http://www.infralution.com/[^]
One is the Infralution Licencing System. It has a wealth of different ways to licence and protect your software.
Using a system like this is also good as it is relatively inexpensive and the more you sell the cheaper the licencing component actually is.
You can set it up to authenticate against the name of the PC instead of against hardware Ids.
This way your customer can install it on any other PC that has the same name.
Hardware locking is very annoying and gone are the days when hardware upgrades occurred with long periods of time between them.
Using this system you can also offer free trials and if people like the product then they are more likely to purchase.
I also use the .Net Encryptor (from the same company) to encrypt the exe, and render it safe or safer from de-compliers.
Interested in what other people do as well.
"Rock journalism is people who can't write interviewing people who can't talk for people who can't read." Frank Zappa 1980
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Ron Anders wrote: It is getting so bad that many simply won't buy a product using C/R
I have two programs that installed copyright-protection cr@p on one of my machines without informing me beforehand.
Had I known they would do this, I would not have bought the licenses, and I will never pay then for any updates -- as soon as the licences expire or lose value those companies (not just products) are dead to me.
If I pay someone for specific code to perform specific tasks, I do not expect them to include code that performs completely different tasks, especially if the purpose of that code is to treat me like a criminal and to introduce security risks to my computers (either by looking where I would not give permission for it to look, or by creating back doors for itself, which most or all of these things do).
So if you use copyright protection "add-ons", I do not want your software.
If I steal your software, you are entitled to treat me like a criminal, but if I buy it, I expect to be treated with respect.
I wanna be a eunuchs developer! Pass me a bread knife!
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Personally, I agree with your sentiments exactly.
What then should a developer do?
"Rock journalism is people who can't write interviewing people who can't talk for people who can't read." Frank Zappa 1980
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grralph1 wrote: What then should a developer do?
It's really very simple.
Do:
-- Treat customers with respect
-- Treat criminals like criminals.
Do not:
-- Treat criminals with respect
-- Treat customers like criminals.
This "You are my customer, but also a potential criminal" mentality has got to go. You wouldn't return to a shop that treated you that way -- especially if they used it as an excuse to invade your home and your property to find evidence that you were a criminal -- so don't expect your customers to stick around.
If you're worried that people might use your software without paying you, give them a reason to pay for it, not a reason to dislike you.
I wanna be a eunuchs developer! Pass me a bread knife!
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We just finished a hectic week of getting the new house ready for the move-in. My new wife went all-out with the remodeling:
0: Repaint 80% interior
1: New granite countertop w/ new sink, dispose-all, and backsplash
2: New range/oven (because you can't replace the countertop without replacing the range...unfortunately, it is a downdraft model which limited our 'range' of options...translate $$$$ 
3: Internet service (cable with excellent speed!)
4: DirecTV service (of course the house is loop wired with RG-59, so a scheduled 4 hour job turned into a 7 hour job for that poor sod)
5: Half a dozen fixture/fan changes
6: New hardwood flooring in the living room (replacing carpet)
7: Steam cleaning of remaining carpet areas and some furniture
8: Tree maintenance (done by me...the $70 investment in a 14' pole saw was worth every penny)
9: Yard maintenance for an acre
The movers showed up yesterday afternoon and by 10PM, I could finally sit back and relax. Today, I am thankful to have my Saturday job to get away from the new house and the unpacking if boxes. Tomorrow, I will get my new home office put back together and ready for Monday. Not only are we changing houses, but we are keeping the old one for rental income, meaning it will certainly require at least a few weeks of repairs/restoration before it is ready to rent. Sadly, all this activity has seriously cut into my lounge time!  The habitat upgrade will be worth it, once I have time to enjoy it.
"Go forth into the source" - Neal Morse
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He's too good at PacMan[^]
And he rules Super Mario[^]
Both YouTube, SFW
The only instant messaging I do involves my middle finger.
English doesn't borrow from other languages.
English follows other languages down dark alleys, knocks them over and goes through their pockets for loose grammar.
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Well there are games that demands:
I - Actual intelligence - No one know for certain what will bring about the right result
AI - Artificial Intelligence - You need some kind of simplified intelligence to play (a collection of rules and some random checks dependent on situation)
SI - Superficial Intelligence - You just memorize some rules to play
NI - No Intelligence - Here Chuck Norris games come to their right
Come to think of it programmers and other occupations also fall into a similar categories 
[Edit] Are you bored today OriginalGriff, or is the missis away for the weekend? [/Edit]
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Herself is watching shouting at reruns of NCIS.
Myself, I have worm tableted the cat, deep cleaned the kitchen, found space for my new Vacuum Sealer[^] and am avoiding listening to the screams of rage in the living room.
So, yes, a bit!
The only instant messaging I do involves my middle finger.
English doesn't borrow from other languages.
English follows other languages down dark alleys, knocks them over and goes through their pockets for loose grammar.
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A, I have the perfect gift for you, but be sure to read the reviews [^]
Oh yes, Im boored too....
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"This was great until I came in drunk one night..."
The sealer has a serious purpose or two: better sealing than I currently get for freezing food, and sealing food ready for my Sous Vide (when I can get at it after Christmas Day).
Vacuum sealing food extends the freezer lifetime by a factor of 4 or so!
The only instant messaging I do involves my middle finger.
English doesn't borrow from other languages.
English follows other languages down dark alleys, knocks them over and goes through their pockets for loose grammar.
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At least your item makes sence, this[^] however Im not quite so sure about.... 
The video is in Norwegian, but I think youll get the point never the less, or I could explain 
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I can see what they are trying to do (I think): They are jealous![^]
The only instant messaging I do involves my middle finger.
English doesn't borrow from other languages.
English follows other languages down dark alleys, knocks them over and goes through their pockets for loose grammar.
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Oh yes, I have seen the brilliant Jag-melter, and its the same idea (only the mirror cost about 500 000 £)
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If you can see Chuck Norris you may be moments from death. If you can't see Churck Norris, you may already be dead.
There are only 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who don't.
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...and try listening to Pi[^]
Ahhhh....
The only instant messaging I do involves my middle finger.
English doesn't borrow from other languages.
English follows other languages down dark alleys, knocks them over and goes through their pockets for loose grammar.
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