dudek@utai.UUCP (Gregory Dudek) (01/16/88)
Well, this is probably a dangerous request to post, but
does anybody have any references or suggestions of how to
incorporate copy-protection into a Mac program?
Of course we all hate it, but I don't really think key-disk
based copy protection is all that bad. In particular, reliable
stats for the application-domain I'm working with indicate that
copy protection has had a ** TEN_FOLD ** effect on sales (i.e.
the best program increased sales ten times when copy protection was
added, implying that a reasonable number of users bought who
had copies had to buy originals [yes, I know sales could have increased
for other reasons like the new version being better]).
The problem is: are there reliable copy-protection methods for the
Mac that are reasonably portable between system configurations?
I know about techniques for the Apple II, and I wish I didn't.
BTW, there's one program I know of that STARTS UP when you
try and inspect it with MacTools (yes, I've seen it happen). Does
MacTools include a hook to prevent it from looking a specially flagged
programs?? [The program is professional composer version 2.2]
Thanks, Greg Dudek
--
Dept. of Computer Science (vision group) University of Toronto
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DELPHI: GDUDEKdave@emerald.PRC.Unisys.COM (David Lee Matuszek) (12/08/88)
I am seriously considering the purchase of Reader Rabbit for my 7-year old. However, the d**n thing is copy-protected. Since we use the hard disk for practically everything, she isn't used to having to rummage through floppies to find what she wants; more importantly, we can't have an icon present on the screen to REMIND her that it exists. (We have another disk, Kid's Time, that gets maybe a tenth of the use it otherwise would, because of these problems.) So... (1) What software is available to break copy protection schemes and install programs on hard disk? (My intentions are strictly honorable; even if they weren't, I don't even know any other 7-year olds!) (2) Does anyone know for sure whether these programs work with Reader Rabbit (or Kid's Time, for that matter)? (3) Can anyone recommend software more-or-less comparable to Reader Rabbit, but that isn't copy-protected? Quality and $ matter, of course, but more important is being able to put it where it will actually get used. -- Dave Matuszek (dave@prc.unisys.com) -- Unisys Corp. / Paoli Research Center / PO Box 517 / Paoli PA 19301 -- Standard disclaimer: Any resemblance between my opinions and those of my employer is strictly coincidental.
flowers@lanai.cs.ucla.edu (Margot Flowers) (12/08/88)
>(1) What software is available to break copy protection schemes and >install programs on hard disk? >(2) Does anyone know for sure whether these programs work with Reader >Rabbit (or Kid's Time, for that matter)? I forget what I did for KidsTime, but I think I used CopyIIMac for it. (There had to be some reason I bought the CopyIIMac program, and I think this was it.) At any rate, we have a floppy copy that works and also have it installed on our hard disk. I'm also interested in software recommendations for young kids. We've played with the IBM PC version of Reader Rabbit (I had to break the copy protection in the executable to install it) and the games seem OK but a bit too much drill-like. MY ABCs (another IBMPC game that required breaking copy protection) has much more of a sense of fun to it but is for a kid at an earlier stage of letter recognition, counting, etc. Margot Flowers Flowers@CS.UCLA.EDU ...!(uunet,rutgers,ucbvax,randvax)!cs.ucla.edu!flowers
sarrel@tut.cis.ohio-state.edu (Marc Sarrel) (12/08/88)
Well, the only program that decopyprotects software that I know of is HD Util. I forget who publishes it, but you should be able to find it in any mail order ad. They have people at this company who, on a program by program basis, figure out how to hack the executable code to defeat the copy protection. You then use there product to apply the "patch" to your copy of the program. I don't know if they have patches for Reader Rabbit or Kids time, but you might find out who publishes it and then call and ask them. --marc
danking@aludra.usc.edu (Dan King) (06/20/89)
About a month or so ago, I remember some people posting information about a program (programs?) that aids in the deprotection of copy-protected software. If anyone has information about this, I would dearly like to hear it. Some background before the net.thought.police flame me for wanting to pirate software: I work in a library that occasionally checks out software to graduate students and faculty. Some of the packages we use are high-end music design pieces that unique to their fields (ie, no alternatives withou protection). Having to check out our only key disk with the software is unacceptable. I wouldn't mind it if we had backup key disks (in case one of our faculty accidently microwaved the his), but we don't. Furthermore, having to insert a key disk is a pain and I would like to d oaway with the thought. Thanks for any info and if anyone still feels like flaming me, please respond in email, I'll slug it out in private. dank