ostrove@umd5.UUCP (07/31/85)
There is some interesting news in this week's issue of "PC WEEK" (July 30, 1985). On page three is the Headline "Dallas Semiconductor Readies ADAPSO Copy-Protect Product". I am not going to enter the entire article however it does mention some facts that I think is relative to the discussion on dongles. "The product provides protection for software programs by requiring the user to insert a chip into a slot on the back of the PC. While that method of protection is consistent with the proposed ADAPSO standard, Dallas Semiconductor said the product is not fully compatible with the standard at this point." ------- Other Stuff --------- "The Dallas Semiconductor key consists of two components: The DS1204 Electronic Key is a postage-stamp-sized semiconductor that the user inserts into a clip in order to use protected software on a computer. The DS 1250 Keyring consists of the clip and a socket that is inserted between a ROM or RAM chip and the motheroard inside the PC. A cable runs between the two components." ------- Other Stuff --------- "In addition to the copy-protection key, Dallas Semiconductor also markets the DS 1201 Electronic Tag, which can be used to control the number of users of a software package on a local area network." And now for what I felt was **REALLY INTERESTING**. "The DS1204 Electronic Key and the DS 1201 Electronic Tag will be available to developers for $6.30 each in quantities of 1,000. The Keyring will cost $18 each in quantities of 1,000." A couple of points -- In order to be fair I have to add that this is not the serial keyring idea that most feel will come out of the ADAPSO standard. In the rest of the article it does say that if that standard is finalized then Dallas Semiconductor will change their product. Can you imagine if you have more then one "Protected" piece of software. I don't want to. I also find interesting the dollar amounts mentioned. The keyring will cost almost $20.00, a little more then the $5.00 or so I have been reading about in this newsgroup. . . And that's for quantities of 1,000. I think it is too much to hope that the software maker won't add his "Little" mark-up. In the end the user may have to pay at least $20 more if not $50 more, just for another piece of electronic equipment (that will go bad at some time). Oh, yea, one last thing. All owners of software DO HAVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE BACK-UP COPIES OF THEIR PROGRAMS!!!!!!! This right is included in copyright law no matter what the license says! Users have the right to protect their data! -- Steve Ostrove University of Maryland CSC Consulting Staff usenet: ...!seismo!rglvax!cvl!umd5!ostrove ARPA: ostrove@umd5.arpa BITNET: ostrove@umdc
slerner@sesame.UUCP (Simcha-Yitzchak Lerner) (08/02/85)
> There is some interesting news in this week's issue of "PC WEEK" > (July 30, 1985). On page three is the Headline "Dallas Semiconductor > Readies ADAPSO Copy-Protect Product". I am not going to enter the > entire article however it does mention some facts that I think is > relative to the discussion on dongles. > > "The product provides protection for software programs by requiring the > user to insert a chip into a slot on the back of the PC. While that > method of protection is consistent with the proposed ADAPSO standard, > Dallas Semiconductor said the product is not fully compatible with the > standard at this point." > > The Dallas Semi device has many differences from the proposed ADAPSO standard. 1) Is much smaller - too easy to loose. 2) Conector does not hold it in firmly - the ADAPSO uses a connector similar to walkman headphone 3) Key concept - their system seems to be a special type of RAM - no brains on board. I fear it would be too easy to analize and patch. > > "The Dallas Semiconductor key consists of two components: The DS1204 > Electronic Key is a postage-stamp-sized semiconductor that the user > inserts into a clip in order to use protected software on a computer. > The DS 1250 Keyring consists of the clip and a socket that is inserted > between a ROM or RAM chip and the motheroard inside the PC. A cable runs > between the two components." > This seem very intrusive, and not compatible with sealed unit machines. > > "The DS1204 Electronic Key and the DS 1201 Electronic Tag will be > available to developers for $6.30 each in quantities of 1,000. The > Keyring will cost $18 each in quantities of 1,000." > > > Note that these prices are for a system quite different than the ADAPSO. The price range for key ($5-7) and keyring ($20-40) are about right though. **Remember, you only need one keyring per machine - not per program.** In addition, rumor has it that some people will *give away* a minimal keyring with their s/w products when they first change over to hardware protection. -- Opinions expressed are public domain, and do not belong to Lotus Development Corp. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Simcha-Yitzchak Lerner {genrad|ihnp4|ima}!wjh12!talcott!sesame!slerner {cbosgd|harvard}!talcott!sesame!slerner slerner%sesame@harvard.ARPA