charles@hpcvca.CV.HP.COM (Charles Brown) (05/03/90)
>> Would it be possible to encode the serial number of A3000's into >> the ROM's once WB2.0 is released? Many Unix workstations have >> this built-in to facillitate software licensing and it would make >> some software protection go away. >> --Allen > Unfortunately, no. ... > We did toss around the idea, but it wasn't feasable, and it really > isn't that hard for crackers to crack. Besides, it would render the > generally permissible (but read your license) practice of carrying > work home impossible, since the application would only run on one > computer. That may make sense for dedicated UNIX machines, but not > for PCs. > -- > Dave Haynie Commodore-Amiga (Amiga 3000) "The Crew That Never Rests" Thank you! Several companies (which I otherwise respect) are doing this. I don't think it makes sense on Unix machines either. What happens when your system crashes and you simply have to get the job done now? How do you debug your hardware/software? Without serial number copy protection you can mix and match harware and software to narrow problems down. With serial number copy protection this becomes much more difficult, if not impossible. Copy protection is offensive. I will not buy any software with copy protection. Never have, never will. -- Charles Brown charles@cv.hp.com or charles%hpcvca@hplabs.hp.com or hplabs!hpcvca!charles or "Hey you!" Not representing my employer. "The guy sure looks like plant food to me." Little Shop of Horror