aehl@csd4.milw.wisc.edu (Donald J Aehl) (01/20/88)
A while back (before semester break) there were some postings on this newsgroup with regard to de-protection of IIgs software. I greatly appreciated this information. It helped me to make backup copies of the protected software which I owned at the time and helped me to decide which programs that I would purchase in the future (I have found that it is best to avoid copy-protected software if it is possible). If anyone has obtained any further information along these lines I would really appreciate it if you could pass it along (either by posting the info to this newsgroup or emailing it to me). Recently, I purchased Instant Music and Fantavision GS. Both of these programs are spectacular! Yet, I cannot make a backup of either without extra payments and a 4-6 week wait. I am hoping that someone can pass along Compuserve info (as was done before) so I can avoid this costly route to abtaining backups. Also, I would really appreciate any information about protection and the software currently available for the Apple IIgs. I know that some companies have been re-releasing their programs without protection, and I applaude this decision. I think its great that software producers are beginning to realize that copy-protection just doesn't make sense on anything that isn't an arcade game. High-performance programs just don't mix well with protection and only cause a big headache for those who use them regularly. Activision has dropped protection from Paintworks Plus, Music Studio, Draw Plus, Writer's Choice elite. Datapak has dropped protection from GraphicWriter 2.0. I'm not sure about any other developments. I have heard that Electronic Arts is releasing Bard's Tale GS without protection, can anyone confirm this? And I've also heard that Multiscribe GS version 3.0 is being released WITH copy-protection! Can anyone confirm this? I was really eager to get this program upon release, now I'm not so sure. Correct me if I'm wrong but the earlier Multiscribe GS's were released without copy protection weren't they? Finally, has anyone gotten to use Copy II Plus version 8? I recently saw an add for this program in the latest issue of NIBBLE. It claims to be able to make backups of protected IIgs 3.5" disks (via bit copying). Very little info was given in the add, can anyone supplement what is provided there? Anyone have a list of programs which it can copy? I would like to stress that I am mentioning this topic only as a concerned software purchaser and user. I am interested in using such information in order to make backups of programs which I have rightfully purchased and am a registered owner of. Once again, thanks go in advance to anyone who is helpful enough to respond to my questions. Thanx. ============================================================================== ARPA: aehl@csd4.milw.wisc.edu USMAIL: Donald Aehl UUCP: ihnp4!uwmcsd1!uwm-evax!aehl ICBM: 43 4 58 N / 87 55 52 W ==============================================================================
mcgurrin@MITRE.ARPA (01/20/88)
I had the early version of Bard's Tale (wouldn't run after getting the ROM upgrade). The new version Electronic Arts shipped me was NOT copy protected. I have not had much chance to play it lately, but it seems to be running fine off of my hard disk. The previous version would not load properly with my hard disk in slot 7, even though I wasn't using the hard disk for Bard's Tale. I assume that the new version in the stores is also not copy protected. I've ordered version 8 of Copy II+, but have yet to see it (it's been about a month now I think). When I ordered it they said it should be ready to ship in about a week, i.e., they were advertising it before completing it.
halp@TCGOULD.TN.CORNELL.EDU ("Bruce P. Halpern") (01/21/88)
RE: Copy II Plus v8.1 I received Copy II Plus a few days ago (v8.1). It comes with both a 5.25 in and a 3.5 in disk. A v8.x supplement to the v7.x manual is also included. It should be fine for those with a ][gs and a 3.5 in disk. Unfortunately, I have ][e and ][c. The 3.5 in version of Copy II Plus **WILL NOT DO BITCOPY USING A UNIDISK 3.5**. Thus, those equiped like me with Apple Unidisk 3.5 on ][e and ][c can not use the 3.5 inch version to do Bitcopy. This inability to use Apple Unidisk 3.5 is stated in the v8.x supplement one finds after opening (for ever) the sealed package. unable to make a working backup copy of Dazzle Draw, which I recently bought. I tried both of the parameter sets provided for Dazzle Draw. Neither worked. I have ordered a PC Transporter and a Apple 3.5 inch drive (the ][gs type) to use with it. In theory, I should be able to use Copy II Plus v8.1 Bitcopy routines on this. I'll report on this. ****DISCLAMER: My comments, etc., are my own shakey opinions ******** | Bruce P. Halpern Psychology & Neurobiology & Behavior Cornell Ithaca | | ARPA: halp@tcgould.tn.cornell.edu | | BITNET: HALP@CRNLTHRY D57J@CORNELLA D57J@CRNLVAX5 | | PHONE: 607-255-6433 Uris Hall, Cornell U., Ithaca, NY 14853-7601 |