That's because the big guys write apps for generalized usage, like OS's,
word processors, browsers, etc. Copy protection is vital to software
companies that have very targeted, specific markets, like auto ID,
point of sale, warehousing, scientific analysis, hobbyists, etc. It
also helps to be venture-funded, and many of the little guys just aren't.
It especially hurts if you only have a limited number of vendors, say,
4 or 5, if one of them starts ripping you off, POOF, there goes 20-25%
of your revenue.
These specialty markets are vital parts of the economy, and very often,
ignored. They aren't as flashy and don't have the highest potential
for maximum revenue, but without them, we'd be seeing the generalized
apps get more and more cumbersome, loaded down with excessive bells and
whistles that most people just don't need.
-Rus
>Your question refers to the problem where the engineering
>considerations hit
>the marketing/production issues. It is similar to the problem of any
>otherwise perfect in laboratory product that needs to be set for mass
>production.
>
>The cost of producing/supporting 100 licensed copies for a big
>client is
>usually higher than the potential loss of a few more copies. Eat that,
>software protection warriors ;-)
>
>When you get to the point where those two costs collide you may want to
>rethink your licensing strategy and policy. Isn't it strange that the
>biggest software company does not use any "real" protection in their
>products? ;-))
>
>- bobby
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Stephen Bentley [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
>Sent: Monday, October 30, 2000 1:03 PM
>To: Palm Developer Forum
>Subject: RE: batch of reg codes
>
>
>Suppose one were to sell 100 copies of an app to a large
>company. They want to activate those 100 codes over time
>as they give them out to their employees.
>
>Back at home base, I try to generate a 100 codes to unlock
>the app. Up to this point I would have received the
>HotSyncID of each user first, feed that into my regcode
>generator and out pops a regcode that will only work FOR
>THAT USER.
>
>How could I calculate 100 codes that will each unlock an app
>for one user only? I just don't get it.
>
>Stephen Bentley
>www.middlecross.com
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