I just read the 'other' thread and when I saw the new piracy reporting tool, I had my own opinions. I believe in constructive criticism, so I'll start a new thread for discussion. Please don't hijack this thread to a piracy vs anti-piracy discussion, but rather add some constructive ideas if you have any :)There is a point that a lot of people make (and I agree on), that developers can get too worked up about piracy. The bottom line of a software business should be

First of all the numbers they list (have no idea how they get them) on how much their game is getting pirated don

Many years ago I was a shareware autrhor - back almost to the beginnings of shareware. There were many figures floating around about people who used your product and didn't pay for it. None of them could be verified but that eventually led to crippleware and other forms of copy protection.Let's face it - in the face of an EXPERIENCED cracker, nothing but the most complex encryption algorithm will suffice. Anti piracy measures are meant to be a deterrent to the CASUAL copier. When they get to be more than that they become intrusive and hurt the legitimate user more than the cracker.Just MHO,Vic BaronVisit the Virtual Pilot's Centerwww.flightadventures.comhttp://www.hifisim.com/images/as2004proudsupporter.jpg

I've read so many reports of copy protection schemes causing people problems, I woun't even consider buying a plane online. I rate some techniques only a little better than spyware, especialy when the customer isn't warned about the locks/activation before making the purchase.

Yes that is a lesson learned. I used to buy add ons via internet because it was so convenient with my 100 mbit connection but from now on I will buy cd:s as much as possible being very careful about what copy protection is used.