Why did people all of the sudden started discussing anti-piracy techniques for the registration code? Isn''t it much more safer to just make a separate demo for your game? That way you can be sure no one will crack your game. Or would making a demo loose some sales because people don''t like to download twice? Could someone shed some light here for me, what are the benefits of making a registration code based shareware approach? Thanks.

because they download once and then you email a code. no need for a secure server or mailing a disk. you need a reg code for the full version anyway.

all methods will be cracked. happens that most ppl will rather deal with a serial number then storing the full version with a patch or serial number to disable the full version protection.

cliffski, because its easier for the common folk not in the know to find a serial number then to downlaod the full version of the app.

warez servers generally keep only high profile apps due to space constraints. they aso move around a lot when found or are very careful about being on search engines to avoid the fbi closing them down. which means they pay a fine/just lose their hosting and files on the server and open the site elsewhere. they may lose their isp account if its on a local server as well.

a serial number is easy to find and store. nearly ANY warez site (small and large) can store keygens and serial numbers. they are also tougher to get closed since the actual data is not 100% illegal to distribute. especially keygens though dmca changes that somewhat however most servers are in russia, germany, china, mexica, etc basically foriegn countries with less strict reverse engineering and copyright laws. this is why apps tend to change the formula used for keys with each version.

which do you think is easier to host, a 100 byte serial key or 2KB keygen or a 10MB or possibly even large application? you can host keygens and serial numbers on a geocities server with ease. cant do that with an decently sized app.

Registration Codes also allows us to track down who leacked the app/game and then deny them acccess to future upgrades etc.

Its alot easier to manage than having seperate demo''s etc, that need to be updated very time you tweak something to release a new version.

Warez is also hard to combat but reg codes are easier, change the reg process and by the time they download the key gen/crack it wont be valid, if your software is on a server in Russia etc, good luck in getting it off.

Dont fool yourself thinking your small app wont be on their servers, I have seen some with 1000''s of shareware apps.

quote: Original post by Anonymous Poster

Its alot easier to manage than having seperate demo''s etc, that need to be updated very time you tweak something to release a new version.

If you have 100 mirrors for the demo, then yes. If you have 2-3 or even fewer locations that you''re hosting (a fast server may require just 1), and if those are the only ones you list on download sites, updating them would be a snap.

Also, I still don''t see why you can''t have a separate full version AND a key for it?