Giveaway of the Day Forums

1. 

   RunesageMagik
   Member

   Alas, yet another one of my infrequently used but originally (correctly) registered giveaways up and bit the dust. BUTTONSHOP3
   I still have the reg key, but the config file says it has expired. No big loss, but a real waste of effort. That makes the 3rd (I think) lost appl this year.

   Has me wondering just how widespread a nuisance this perplexingly mysterious CRAP (Corrupted Registration Affected Program) problem is in the community. If enough regulars have been burned, it might prompt GAOTD to investigate and perhaps (one can dream, can't one) implement a more secure/stable reg process. OTOH, if it's just my PC, I'll go back to quietly gnawing on apple seeds.

   Anyone else lose a program that initially seemed to be registered/working correctly?

   Posted 16 years ago #
2. 

   BuBBy
   Teh adnim

   It probably happens every day. Every program can use a different mechanism for registration and getting clobbered can happen in just as many ways. It could be user error, automated upgrade, a too-effective registry cleaner, replacing a shared file with another of a different version (eg during installation of another app) - and reasons too numerous to list.

   The chances of getting all developers to agree to use the same mechanism to record licensing of their apps is about zero. To combat unlicensed copying etc - most developers will make their process as unique or obfuscated as possible to make stealing their software a non-trivial process.

   As always - at opposite ends of the scale are license security and convenience for end users. To make things a lot more "convenient" and allowing installation at any time - a purchase of a program license is one way to solve the problem.

   Posted 16 years ago #
3. 

   RunesageMagik
   Member

   Thanks for responding, bub. Since you know I've a passing acquaintance with aspects of computers, programming and security, you already know I concur with most of your comments, even your stock and trade buy-it-if-you-like-it™ rejoinder. (if/when the program is found to be useful enough, of course... not all have deep enough pockets to purchase 300 to 600 programs per year) In no way, shape or form do I wish to overturn the sensible/ethical strategy of protecting contributing developers' licenses from abuse.

   However, if CRAP© is indeed happening to some members "every day" as you speculate, or even rare and sporadically, as has been my experience, and a (sticky) poll were to successfully identify -

   • those who experience the most CRAP©
   • those problematic programs or developers spreading the most CRAP©
   • any particular registration procedure vulnerable to CRAP©

   then, might not there be a chance of solving or at least reducing the amount of CRAP©? That was my point.

   As we entered 2008, I was quite content to reply to newbie CRAP© victims with your classic rejoinder; but with nearly a year's worth of GAOTD experiences and observations (and a little CRAP©) under my belt, the systems analyst in me now suspects there might be ways to tweak the process. Matters not if a poll spotlights a conflicting appl (perhaps a particular reg cleaner used by all the CRAP© victims), or accumulates compelling evidence for the boyz behind the curtain, the goal would be to come up with a more secure (or redundant) method of storing reg data. Perhaps even create a painless, automated "do over" option for registered members who demonstrate they followed the steps and still hold the registration code. (similar to automated password resets) Might even be worth charging a few bucks for a GOLD GAOTD membership at some point if the boyz are capitalists.

   I'm just throwing the spaghetti on the wall to see if it sticks, not trying to stain anyone's shirt. Living in denial doesn't help, but proactive systems analysis and more user-friendliness never hurt.

   Posted 16 years ago #
4. 

   Anonymous
   Unregistered

   Terms and conditions

   Please note that the software you download and install during the Giveaway period comes with the following important limitations:

   1. No free technical support
   2. No free upgrades to future versions
   3. Strictly personal usage
   4.P S, do not try to up date,You say have reg key may be try to put in see if work's.

   Posted 16 years ago #
5. 

   RunesageMagik
   Member

   hotdoge3, having been a member for nearly a year and having personally posted more than one helpful (or insulting, depending on my mood) reply to newbies seeking to install a program after the deadline expires suggests I'm sorta kinda pretty much familiar with the terms and conditions, and understand that attempting to reactivate using the reg key would run afoul of the 24-hr lockout created by the GAOTD activation wrapper. My comment about the config file hinted that simple reinsertion didn't work, but I could have been clearer. Thanks for playing the official Appleseed 2008 CRAP© Poll. :-)

   Posted 16 years ago #

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