Freeware!!!Cheers,MAB

uhh , nope

Freeware!!!Cheers,MAB

Freeware is what thieves want commercial software to become... :(

But the point was that the added cost of issuing software on CD (the installer in this case) rather than via download, is only 2 EUR+ postage. That is- marketing software via download is not a great deal cheaper than on CD/DVD.

That's a different issue, which doesn't have anything to do with the anti-piracy method, which is the same between the two.The developer has just decided he would like to have both online and CD versions of the product. Having made that choice, the price can't be too different because otherwise retailers will not carry the CD, because they see the downloadable version as a competition. More so in this case, considering the CD version requires a permanent internet connection anyway so, if the price difference was higher, nobody would buy the CD.The net effect is that, the developer will just make far less profit with the CD version. But without the downloadable version, they'll will probably never recover their developement costs and there will be no CD to speak of.

If the customer had to provide a serial # ID for his computer or O/S when ordering, this could be written into the CD-DVD as part of the order fulfillment by the supplier- and that disc, via its internal security coding would then only work on that specific computer. Thus copying such a disc, to use on another computer, could be made to pose a considerable challenge for the pirates. EVERY disc would be unique. Or am I missing something?

Yes, you are because, in this case, the CD wouldn't be mass replicated ( = cheaper ) anymore, but each copy has to be burned independently for each customer. And. since it "works only on a specific computer", it will require a new CD to be shipped when the user updated hardwareDoesn't make any sense: you are proposing a far more annoying and expensive system, when a downloadable installer with online activation technology would work just the same, but it will be much easier to use and faster to reactivate after an hardware change, because there's no physical support to replace.Note that, the next trend in software protection technology IS customized executables, meaning every customer will have a different version of the software, but this works FAR better if the executable is downloaded, rather than shipped on a CD.It seems you are having a fixation for *online* activations, rather than hardware locking ( otherwise, you wouldn't have proposed a "CD that works only on a specific computer" ). Yes, a customized CD might free you from activating *online*, but you are STILL using an activation technology, since the CD is pre-activated on your machine.

I believe it is possible to have multiple keys on a single usb dongle. I think the Pace iLok is an example and is used in the music software industry to store software keys for plugins for programs such as Cubase and ProTools. For the Flightsim situation FSX would = Cubase or ProTools (the host application) and aircraft and scenery addons would = effects and instrument plugins. All the keys for the various effects and instrument plugins are stored on one USB key. I don't know how useful easy it would be to get this to work with FSX though as it may involve some coding of the host application. Something for FS11 perhaps (still hoping there will be an FS11, fingers crossed)?

This was cracked ages ago as there was emulation software to replace the dongle which fooled the application software into thinking the dongle was present when in fact it wasn'tGraham

Hello,

This was cracked ages ago as there was emulation software to replace the dongle which fooled the application software into thinking the dongle was present when in fact it wasn'tGraham

ROFLCan you indicate me a place (forum or any place on the net) when some proved he cracked the dongle protection of the game Steelbeasts .. ? :)http://www.steelbeasts.comRemind:If you know this (those) people ... contact him (them) immediately as Steelbeasts devellopers will reward him (them) with a good cash :)http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/...tml#Post2722827

We had a failure rate in 2006 that wasn't satisfactory. Wibu Systems improved their design (and eventually the quality control as well) and we're now at a level way under 1%. Also, it is obvious that a dongle is not a suitable solution for about every piece of software ever written. But it works well in the case of SB Pro. Yes, some people won't buy it because of it. Even more people would not have bought it if there was a conventional copy protection, or no protection at all. We can decry a lack of honesty among people or accept that if you can get games for free from shady sources in an atmosphere of anonymity the temptation simply is more than many people can withstand - and deal with it.What eSim is after is a fair balance between customer and developer interests that works for a long-selling software. Pretty much all copy protection solutions work for a period of days to months, which is good enough for the extremely cyclic nature of most computer games (but still has its issues for many people). Requiring an internet connection isn't ideal either. There's a privacy issue involved, and key generator software can bypass simple checks (and make life hell for legitimate customers whose key gets accidentally replicated by someone else's key generator).In short, none of the other solutions ever convinced me as they were made for different business models or compromised system integrity or were problematic because of invading the privacy of the user. Codemeter is secure, reliable, respects user anonymity, allows to trade the software. It allows us to sell additional licenses at 20% of the per copy price, to hand out free temporary licenses for LAN parties and clan servers. Customers can install the software on multiple machines, make backup copies of their installation disks without restrictions, and all that at the price of one blocked USB port. I have seen worse deals in my life.

Regards.Gus.

Hello,Another interesting related story running here:(Customers-devellopers -piracy related)http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/showthread.php?t=21713

Good day all,With regard price, It is nine months since the FS9 launch.I don't really think that a

Can you indicate me a place (forum or any place on the net) when some proved he cracked the dongle protection of the game Steelbeasts .. ? :)

Where in my post or the quotation I quoted within my post does it mention Steelbeasts?I was refering to Cubase studio!

Does Steelbeasts require that you have an active internet connection while playing?

Credit card issuers and the auto industry appear to have settled on a hardware/software combination as the most practical and effective way to stay ahead of the crooks. (The operative word here is "stay ahead"- not defeat.)Cr.Card- A physical plastic card with an embedded chip bearing a code (PIN) unique to the customer. Auto- A physical plastic/metal key with an embedded chip bearing a code unique to that car.For Software, the analogue would be- A CD/DVD with an embedded code unique to the computer on which it is to be used.I would venture that any lesser anti theft model for software, is likely doomed to defeat- sooner rather than later.Alex Reid

Hello,

Does Steelbeasts require that you have an active internet connection while playing?

No.

Steel Beasts Professional - Personal Edition IBM compatible PC with the following minimum configuration (Recommended specs are in parentheses):1.5 (2.5) GHz CPU 256 (512) MB RAM 64 (128) MB, DirectX9-Capable Graphics Accelerator (GeForce 3 class or better) 1.6 GB available hard disk space Free USB port for dongle Mouse CD-ROM Microsoft Windows 2000 / XP with Service Pack 2 (Steel Beasts Pro PE will NOT run on Windows NT) Microsoft DirectX version 9.0c For better playing experience, a sound card and joystick are recommended.Please note that Steel Beasts Professional uses a hardware device (a USB dongle) for software protection. An available USB port is required.

http://www.steelbeasts.com/sbwiki/index.php/Main_PageRegards.Gus.

Credit card issuers and the auto industry appear to have settled on a hardware/software combination as the most practical and effective way to stay ahead of the crooks. (The operative word here is "stay ahead"- not defeat.)Cr.Card- A physical plastic card with an embedded chip bearing a code (PIN) unique to the customer. Auto- A physical plastic/metal key with an embedded chip bearing a code unique to that car.For Software, the analogue would be- A CD/DVD with an embedded code unique to the computer on which it is to be used.I would venture that any lesser anti theft model for software, is likely doomed to defeat- sooner rather than later.Alex Reid

All good for those companies but so far impractical for FS Vendors. The Dongle system also appears to be impractical for FS Vendors.CD/DVD Imbedded Security may turn out to be practical but would drive costs upward.That is why FS Vendors are looking at a new paradigm. :(

A dongle is 100% unrealistic for FS addons. There would have to be a 'central clearing house' that would provide a single dongle for all addons. That would incur a cost that would be added to the price of the addon.I don't think it would be in pennies. :(

There would have to be a 'central clearing house' that would provide a single dongle for all addons.

Unless it comes with FSNext :(

Unless it comes with FSNext :(

Won the lottery lately? That's about the same chance of 'FSNext' being absolutely anything like FS is today. I suspect that the next flight program from Microsoft will be far more about being a game and far, far less about flight simulation. I also suspect they will eliminate the ability for addon developers to exist for it entirely.