>>Anyone use schemes to discourage illegal copying of your Foxpro applications?
>
>Hi Cole,
>There are various things you can do to promote single use of your software. Here's some that I've used:
>
>1) Hard code your customer's name in your code and display it on start-up, in report titles, etc. I call it the shame technique.
>
>2) Store various user machine configuration information in a table or memfile (encrypted) and check for the existence of the file and also whether it matches the previous setting. You'll hear from them when they add hardware, but then since they have an up to date tech support contract with you, that should be no problem.
>
>3) Check in to some of the various hardware 'dongles' out there. They're expensive, but they allow for copying the software on the office machine as well as the laptop, etc. but it can only be used by one person (the dongle holder) at a time.
>
>Good luck!


Hugh

I think #2 can lead to serious problems with the customer - in my opinion. If a quick change is made to a server then the network is down until you get there. This may not make for happy campers....

Tom