As with PC's, does this mean that there's no generally applicable means of linking a user to the computing device that they are using for licensing confirmation? (My recollection of a prior thread some time ago indicates that not only is this perspective commonplace, it is even embraced by a representative of the OS development group itself.)
I've read the PC information on-line, which largely insists that device specific serial number checks shouldn't be used because PC hardware can change (even hard drives), while the user may merely have upgraded. (Probably not an issue with a Palm as long as the number isn't associated with a memory stick, unless a person purchases a new Palm and downloads backed up databases to the new memory from ROM.) The usual PC recommendation involves a remote web site and password confirmation via the web site to permit a user to continue extended use of software. (This seems to be the XP solution.) Applying some form of "fingerprinting" to a PC hard drive might work if one could successfully conceal the digital "fingerprint" so as to prevent it from being transferred to a new user. This would conceivably work for average business users, but those who engage in professional pirating might identify the location of the "fingerprint" data by simply tracing the files that are called when a protected software program is started. (Are similar facilities not already available for Palm devices?) Just food for thought. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Douglas Handy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Palm Developer Forum" <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, May 09, 2006 9:17 AM Subject: Re: palm serial number > sHe, > > >hmm, haven't searched yet but does all treo have this IMEI? and is it unique? > > Check the archives for discussions of this. But among other things, realize you > can only read the IMEI or ESN number of the phone while the phone module is > powered up and initialized. So while the user intentionally has the phone off > (such as on an airplane or hospital or theater or whatever) you can not get the > number. > > And while you can turn on the phone programatically, it is not recommended to do > so since they may be in an environment such as above where that should not > happen plus it isn't available immediately if you do so anyway. I think it > takes up to 30 seconds depending on the phone type and carrier. > > Thus using it as part of a licensing check may not be appropriate unless your > app should only run when the phone is on. If the phone is off, you should ask > the user for permission to turn it on and exit gracefully if they decline. > > Doug > > -- > For information on using the PalmSource Developer Forums, or to unsubscribe, please see http://www.palmos.com/dev/support/forums/ > -- For information on using the PalmSource Developer Forums, or to unsubscribe, please see http://www.palmos.com/dev/support/forums/
