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Re: Executor 2



.snip.
>I understand your efforts to combat the pirating of your software
>(your really deserve to be paid for the work you did!) but
>unfortunately your solution won't change anything, in the pirating
>nearly every CD-ROM is ripped and zipped to 1.44mb disks, there is NO
>way to prevent pirating. Not to mention that CD-Writers are becoming
>cheaper and cheaper.... The most secure thing is a hardware
>copy-protection like the one used by Cubase, but even this one can be
>beaten!
>
>Lucius Kuert
.snip.

Not quite true.  While CD-Writers are becoming more prevalent, it takes
time and effort to dupe an entire CD.  Same thing with "ripping and
zipping".  While it's difficult to stop a pirate that is bent on copying
your product, it is how it is then distributed that is the key point.  (ie,
over WAREZ groups, BBSs, etc.)

Conclusion - you can REDUCE the amount of pirating by:

     * Distributing on CD only
     * Making your program/CD HUGE (hundreds of megs, compressed)
     * Serializing each copy with its own unique individual key code

Number one is easy.  Number two is inconvenient.  Number three is a pain in
the ass.  I haven't even mentioned dongle/boot-block type copy protection,
as it would probably make general release of Executor incredibly expensive.

This of course, only refers to the minor pirates.  Commercial pirates
(based in places like China) who turn out millions of copies of commercial
software (Microsoft Word, etc.) are a bigger problem than these weenie
infringers, though they're not as visible or as bold.  At this point of
Executor's lifecycle, I doubt that Cliff & Co. have to wory about the Hong
Kong swap markets and the high-volume press plants that Clinton wants
action on.  However, keep in mind, as Executor becomes more profitable and
comprehensive, the number of both minor and commercial pirates will begin
to grow.

TC

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    TC Lai                   (Pre)Cognitive Science Undergraduate,
                             University of California, Los Angeles
    tclai@ucla.edu
                             Macintosh Poweruser, Student Animator,
   "Those who dare, win."    Shareware Author, Small Business Owner.
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