12-12-2006, 07:00 PM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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Software Registration & Activation Systems
Jerry Raia over at Smartphone Thoughts posted an interesting thought over the weekend that I thought would spur some good discussion here on Pocket PC Thoughts:
"On a quiet weekend what better thing than to have a little rant? I have chosen application activation as my irritation for the day. Let me be clear, I am not arguing with the concept of having it or the need for it. I�m only musing about the methods used. I will put these in the order they frustrate me the most. The most irritating by far is the method that ties the activation to the device or ROM. Every time I update a ROM or sell a device and get a new one, I have to chase down the developer and get a new activation code. No big deal you say? Not unless the developer folds up their tent. Next is the method that ties the activation to the email address listed in the Owners Information section of the device. I recently had an issue where I had used a different email address a few years ago to activate an application. I had since changed the email on my device. The new application kept changing the owner email field on my device every time I entered it in the application activation field. This of course would deactivate the old application! I had to contact the newer applications developer to change the email address used. No big deal right? Just a hassle and again, if the developer goes away, I'm cooked."
As someone with six PCs in his home/office, and several Pocket PCs and Smartphones, I'm certainly not typical - but I find overly restrictive registration systems to be a huge pain in the...USB port. I deeply respect developers and people who want to protect their intellectual property, so I understand the need for serial numbers and a certain amount of "hoop jumping". If it takes me a few minutes to enter in a key, as long as it's broken up into five-digit blocks, I'm OK with that. Online product activation is where my frustration level tends to rise, however: there's one desktop PC product, ActiveWords, that I simply can't use a PC without. It's amazingly useful (trust me, try it), but it requires a unique registration key that's tied to the hardware. So every time I install it on a PC (and I reformat/rebuild my PCs fairly often) I have to email the company and ask for a new registration key. That's a big hassle, and a big frustration for me. Spb Software House has started an online activation with their Spb DVD Mobile product as well - is it a sign of things to come with Windows Mobile developers? How far is "too far" for you when it comes to registration codes and authentication?
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12-12-2006, 07:48 PM
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Magi
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,341
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I'm with you guys on this one. I too support developers and their need to protect their work. I do however hate having to jump through hoops at the time of purchase and even more down the road, when I get a new device or after a hard reset.
It is becoming increasingly popular for developers to tie an activation to a single device. This is very shortsighted. I'm too embarrasses to publicly state how many pieces of software I own. If I had to email every single developer every time I made a switch or flashed a device it would be a nightmare. Imagine the email chain with dozens of developers trying to sort out my right to a new code. there would be an endless trail of responses such as not having the right email, username, password, and so on. DEVELOPERS.....PLEASE DON'T DO THAT. 
An acivation code delivered at the time of purchase is more than sufficient. Any more than that and people start looking elsewhere. Windows Mobile software has now reached the point where we DO have choices, and as consumers we WILL use those choices.
DEVELOPERS.....PLEASE BE SENSIBLE. We like the applications you work hard to build. We support your efforts. BUT, there is a limit to how far we will bend over.
Dave
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12-12-2006, 07:53 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 211
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I have to agree to an extent. I may put up with something like this the first time I buy from a developer, but after that I'll definitely be more wary with upgrades or buying any other products. If my experience with a developer is a hassle, I'll look for alternatives or keep using whatever I have for as long as possible.
Quick note on SPB Mobile DVD - this is a little different from their other offerings because it installs only on a Windows PC, not on the mobile device. I can't speak for what they do behind the scenes - # of activations, etc, but it hasn't been a hassle so far. Now if I format my machine or try to move the program, I may have something else to say about it. 
I will admit that my biggest concern is if the shop/programmer closes down the project. At that point, it would be nice to either release a slightly updated version that would use a registration system that isn't as restrictive - a final way to support those people who supported you. That way if you paid for the product, you're not out of luck if your device crashes and you need to re-activate or if you want to transfer your product to a new device because you've upgraded.
-Pete
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12-12-2006, 08:02 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 73
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Abandonware should no biggie anymore...as of last month it be came legal to reverse engineer/crack abandonware. (It was in the same ruling that states that phone unlocking software is now perfectly legal.) The US Copyright office has just ruled that "copy protection on software no longer being sold or supported by its copyright holder can be cracked." It is maybe the most sensible thing to come out of the USPTO in decades
So it is a simple matter to get a new registration code if the developer goes under. If you don't know how to reverse engineer abandonware, you can usually ask for help on one of many forums and some kind sould will be happy to do it for you. We also have tutorials on our site for reverse engineerng Windows Mobile apps, and we actually wrote the first book showing how (Security Warrior, O'Reilly, 2004).
I agree that too many developers go overboard over tying software to hardware ID codes. It seems there should be "fair use" of purchased software; for example, if your device dies and you need to use the software on a new one, during the license period.
Brad
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12-12-2006, 08:19 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 92
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hardware keyed
Most of my PPC apps use license keys. I find that perfectly acceptable - yes, the long ones are a nuisance, but that's the way it goes. I have just one app that is associated to hardware and I've had to contact the developer to generate a new key a couple of times. It's a great little app, but I'm keeping my eyes open for a replacement. The fact is, in a Windows Mobile world, hard resets are not all that unusual, and the inconvenience of having to contact the developer again and again for a new key is not something I'm happy about having to do. I hadn't even thought of the abandonware angle. I tend to abandon apps for newer and shinier alternatives before their developers do. :-)
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12-12-2006, 08:20 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 215
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It also depends on the good nature of the developer too. I have several hundred dollars worth of Skyscape titles - all of which are locked to the device. They have never yet refused me new codes because I've changed device. On the other hand, a developer that offered free updates for a year refused to provide me with a reminder of my activation code which I'd lost, because my product was over a year old even though I was perfectly happy to use the "old" version.
I don't mind activation codes that are tied to my "owner name" - that never changes but my device and e-mail address often do!
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12-12-2006, 09:31 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 172
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If it involves activation.. then the question is 'is there an automated option for this, which may not involve the INternet if I'm away from the Net for a few days, or does it require talking to the company?' For me, some activation schemes are okay - PocketPlayer does lock it to a device.. but they're usually not too bad about retrieving activation keys. Opera, on the other hand, changes registration keys whenever you do a hard reset, which suggests it's randomly generated based on the OS state or something else that's not hardware-based at the time... which makes it a real pain in the ass, as the registration key's different each time and it takes contacting a live person to get the key back, which involves a three or so day wait at least; I've had to do it three times.
Activation during install's also okay - that's not too intrusive. Now, if the program asks me to activate it every week or so... well, then it's going a bit far, even if it's to comply with the wishes of the other license holders whose products your program's licensing from. I'm seriously hoping CorePlayer doesn't go down this route.
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12-12-2006, 09:34 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 85
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I agree with all the rest of the posters. I like the codes tied to my "owner name" since that is the one thing that isn't going to change for me. Plus I would be even more reluctant to give the code out if I had to give my name as the slime-bucket who put out the code! The only downside to this scheme is women who change their name.....
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12-12-2006, 10:29 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 47
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Windows Mobile devices are simply not stable enough to require a computer and activation when installing a program. If I'm lost somewhere and have to do a hard reset, the last thing I want to worry about is having to activate my GPS mapping software before being able to use it. Oh, and the activation can only be done while connected with activesync? Why not requre the GPS program to only work in my home town while you're at it.
This is not the PC market, warez is not easily availible for Windows Mobile devices.
Give me the program (and it better be in .cab) and a serial number if you must, but if there's anything more than that, then I'm not buying it!
And have you ever tried calling a company up to see what their authentication method is? They treat you like a crook! I'm a power user, and that's apparantly NOT ok.
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12-12-2006, 11:58 PM
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Contributing Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,389
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I down right refuse to buy software that requires online activation. But that is getting harder and harder...
I refused to buy Tom tom because of it's activation crap. The same thing when Half Life 2 came out. I loved the first game but i refuse to buy the second one because of the activation.
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