[comp.protocols.appletalk] CAP/Aufs copy protection

gilbertd@cricket.bio.indiana.edu (Don Gilbert) (02/11/91)

I recently asked whether it was possible to copy-protect applications
on an Aufs volume (the RU-CAP program for Appleshare volume on Unix).
A couple of responders clued me in that if you make the data fork only 
of the application non-readable by world/other users, then they cannot
copy it, at least not via Aufs.  Some or most applications (e.g., MS Word)
do not use the data fork, so can still launch if only their resource
fork is readable by world.  Some applications (e.g., Canvas), do use
their data fork, and so cannot launch in such a case.

The most general solution seems to be something like LaunchBreak, which
modifies apps to work only when a networked key program has given permission.
LaunchBreak requires a Mac to run on, but if I recall, it doesn't have
to be the AppleShare server, so it should work for Aufs as well as Mac
AppleShare volumes.

-- Don

-- 
Don Gilbert                                     gilbert@bio.indiana.edu
biocomputing office, biology dept., indiana univ., bloomington, in 47405