"Fitzsimons, Jeff" wrote:
> My app is installed by InstallShield and as such I could call a .DLL to do
> funky stuff...
>
> I'm thinking about embedding a string in the .prc file which would be
> changed during installation to whatever the user enters as his/her name and
> company. Obviously, the string could be hidden from simple modification
> with a very straightforward XORing scheme.
>
> I think this would serve well to avoid casual duplication of our software.
> Yes, all you would need to pirate a copy would be the original CD or a copy,
> but at least this would be a more annoying and involved step than simply
> beaming the app to a friend.
>
> Are there any obvious reasons why this would _not_ be a good idea? I didn't
> run across anything like this in the archives.
>
> Jeff
This is an interesting idea, which I've actually thought of myself a while
back. However, here's the problem: It's not really an anti-copy mechanism.
Basically, in order for anything to happen to help you, you'd need to get your
hands on every copy of the app that's out there, and check each one for a user
name. Then, you'll only be able to tell who was giving it out. It doesn't keep
anyone from copying, and it's virtually impossible to track it down.
It might help if someone burned and sold a CD of stuff that's already been
installed, but that's not likely.
A little different idea is to embed the name or unique number when they download
the file, but any cracker can do a diff on 2 downloaded files and find it.
As for being a "not good" idea, if users got word you were tracking them,
especially in these "hysterically paranoid over anything computer related that
might possibly cause a small semblance of acountability" times, you'd probably
piss off a few people. :)
--
Brian Mathis
Direct Edge
http://www.directedge.com
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