I'm afraid I can't answer your questions, but I will be following this thread with great interest. I too have an idea for a shareware program that I'd like to 'get out there' via the internet.

Do you have any experience with any decompilers? I know of one for Clipper that would create .prg files from an .exe but I don't know of any for VFP. Would you be able extract code that is in database triggers or form methods? What about the field defaults that are set at the database level?

So many questions...

>I intend to offer VFP5 made software available from an internet server as a resource (shareware) instead of moving CDs and diskettes around.
>
>The questions are :
>
>1 - How can i protect my code from decompilation,
>
>2 - How can i organise a SIMPLE protection scheme equivalent to the
> ones found in most sharewares:
>
> a - message box informing that a payment should be made,
> b - the user gets a key number (upon payment of a fee),
> c - user updates the software via a specific procedure
> that "brands" the software... i am obviously not looking
> a costly total protection but a one solid enough to prompt
> for a limited payment.
>
>I understand that solution to question 1 is REFOX, point. Concerning this software i'd like to hear from those would use it whether it has any side effect on application usage on installation process ?
>
>Concerning question 2, i should really like to hear from you all about getting people to pay for software and, a hot subject, internet-based software distribution?
>
>Regards to all UT members