Does anyone know how to make a piece of software an Evaluation Copy

[johnguilbert]

Hi,

I have developed an application that I want to make an Evaluation Copy
for 1 week. In the past I have used one of the following techniques
with each having a drawback:

1. Write to Registry - Problem: Can use before and after image to see
changes
2. Use of Windows Clock - Problem: Clock can be changed
3. Write to file - : Problem - Can perform a search on files changed
to find file.
4. Use of System Clock - This is what I'm thinking is the best
approach???
5. Writing encoded data to a file that must exist - Another
possibility using 4.

Does anyone out there know the professional approach or is there
something in VS2005 I missed to provide this facility?

Your help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

John.

 

[salman]

Always check for License file (contain valid License) in root
directory.

if License file not found then connect to server (tcp/udp) and supply
client's system information (unique value, like MAC address or
something else) to the server & check application expiry. So you have
to maintain software expiration details on your server.
Or you can use/call a web page (hosted on Your/Software's web site) to
check application expiry.

Ali

 

[Mythran]

Always check for License file (contain valid License) in root
directory.

if License file not found then connect to server (tcp/udp) and supply
client's system information (unique value, like MAC address or
something else) to the server & check application expiry. So you have
to maintain software expiration details on your server.
Or you can use/call a web page (hosted on Your/Software's web site) to
check application expiry.

Ali

In the older days (say, a few years ago, but not many), checking a license
via the internet was not really an option as most people did NOT have
Internet access. Nowadays, it is more of a common approach to use the
internet as Ali has suggested to determine license expiration. If they are
running Vista or XP, then they most likely had to register it via the
Internet (or phone if they really wanted to). So I would give two
alternatives, maybe three...a license check via Internet and a backup of
checking the system clock or something (remember, the system clock can be
changed by non-savvy users by going into the bios).

HTH,
Mythran

 

[Ian Semmel]

Or another way is just to offer reduced functionality or plaster 'Evaluation' all over the place on non-licenced copies.

People (like me) are very suspect of software that is trying to call home all the time unless it comes from some trusted source.

 

[johnguilbert]

Or another way is just to offer reduced functionality or plaster 'Evaluation' all over the place on non-licenced copies.

People (like me) are very suspect of software that is trying to call home all the time unless it comes from some trusted source.









- Show quoted text -

Thanks for your help.

I have opted for the reduced functionality for my purposes.

John.