Software Serialization (Both the Act, and the terminology)

[HumanJHawkins]

Hi all,

I don't think I am using the right terminology, as "serialization"
doesn't convey the right meaning in a programming context. But what I
am looking for, is advice on how to add a serial number type (or other
type) of anti-piracy measure to my programs.

In three years of having a few shareware apps out (with the most
liberal of usage policies I have ever seen), I have not had a single
person even write to me about them. I assumed no one was using them.
Well, anyway, it turns out that I do have a fair number of users, but
not a single purchase.

I will probably still let people use the software for free or cheap,
but I want to at least know how many users I have, and encourage them
to send a comment or something. The only way I can figure to do this,
is to add a serial number type requirement.

The big question: What should I search google and other sites for to
get info on this... "Serialization" just turns up thousands of
irrelivant hits.

The smaller question: Do you have any direct advice?

Many thanks in advance!

 

[Victor Bazarov]

I don't think I am using the right terminology, as "serialization"
doesn't convey the right meaning in a programming context. But what I
am looking for, is advice on how to add a serial number type (or other
type) of anti-piracy measure to my programs.

[..]

The smaller question: Do you have any direct advice?

Here it is: your question has nothing to do with C++ language, so,
please, Please, find a better newsgroup to discuss this topic. Try
comp.software-eng or comp.programming. That's all I have.

V

 

[Phlip]

I don't think I am using the right terminology, as "serialization"
doesn't convey the right meaning in a programming context. But what I
am looking for, is advice on how to add a serial number type (or other
type) of anti-piracy measure to my programs.

This isn't a C++ question, so I CC'd to a generic group and set follows-up.

The correct answer is to sell services and new features to your best
customers, and to release your program in two grades. The crippled one is
free, and the one with some hot feature is payware. No shareware - that's
for the cows.

After it's paid for, forget about copy protection because nobody will have
any incentive to steal. If someone asks your paid customer to "loan" them
the program, your customer will most likely direct them to the free version.