Hi Jos,

i did not meant that, I know what I mention can be done today. I was proposing software developers to actually use it.

An example: I recevie a freehand file with a new design for a box (which happens every two years). I want to review it, but there is no viewer. I download FreeHand evaluation version and run it for 30 days. But 8 months later I receive a new freehand file, which I cannot open. Wouldn't it be nice to pay 15-20 dollars for a day of use, instead of the 600 price tag?
I was proposing a new format for the use of software, for those applications that you rarely use. It's a win-win, for both the developer and the user.

>Tools like this exists eg: Armadillo from www.siliconrealms.com. You can set the number of execution times and/or date expiry parameters. Works fine with VFP.
>
>Most people do not "break the application". Your average user copies software becuase often times there is no protection at all. Even the most basic copy protection scheme will stop most users.
>
>If you want to protect your source code you need something stronger. But the best you will achieve is delaying a determined attacker, not stopping them.
>
>
>>I think the software industry is missing a kind of EULA and activation code that would allow you to run the application one time (or a number of times, whatever you purchase).
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>>There are lots of situations in which you need an application only once. It would be nice to pay a small amount and run it for one day, or one time. It's nuts to pay $200 when you need the application only for a day. It would be great to pay $30 and enjoy it for a short period.
>>What do most people in this situations? They break the application, pay nothing, run for one time, and done. And the application developer gets nothing.
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>>
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>>>On the other hand, I once have suggested that it might perhaps be a good idea if the community did have some spot in the world where decompilation of uploaded application could be done by a community controlled team.