Licensing and Copy Protection

[jsanders]

Hello All,

I have created a management system for small home builders and contractors.

Typically these customers will have less than 25 users. So far I have installed it in a single customer’s site, but I want to expand.


I basically have two questions.
1. What is the best way to deliver this product without the end user needing Access?
2. How can I ensure they don’t make illegal copies and give to their friends or add user without purchasing more licenses?

Thank you all,
Joe

 

[skea]

Jsanders,
Qtn1ackage it(I use wise Installer), others use the Packaging wizard.(I dont know what you mean by access though!!)
Qtn2:these two threads will help you.

http://www.access-programmers.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=95390&page=2&highlight=serial

http://www.access-programmers.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=98517&highlight=serial

 

[Bat17]

Q1
http://www.access-programmers.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=63228&highlight=developers+edition

 

[WindSailor]

Here are a few more links that will hopefully help.

Whether to choose Access or VB...
http://www.utteraccess.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=8&Number=1071725&page=3&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1

Considerations about installing the runtime...
http://www.microsoft.com/office/community/en-us/default.mspx?query=+%09Where+are+the+Runtime+files+installed+for+A97+through+A2003&dg=&cat=en-us-office-access&lang=en&cr=US&pt=327f343d-f0d6-4e07-aa53-9656edb98ada&catlist=&dglist=&ptlist=&exp=&sloc=en-us

Time to get a test machine, (I kind of blew that test...) and do a little more learning about installers.

Right now I am looking into NSIS and Inno SetUp.

 

[Pat Hartman]

Even if you choose a non-Microsoft setup option, you still need to purchase the appropriate developer's edition for your version of Access. That is the only way to get the license to distribute the Access runtime.

When running your app with the runtime, you need to provide custom menus and you really can't use macros because they don't have any error trapping capability. Errors encountered by a macro will cause the database to close abruptly. Search for posts on the runtime and read the articles on the KB and MSDN library.

 

[jsanders]

Thanks Ya'll

I’m thinking that while selling it to local contractors (customers), the illegal copying issue will be minimal.

Later as I go for wide spread distribution I’m going to find out how to do internet authentication.

I would still have to deal with people that provide cracked software but hopefully it will be a small percentage.
Joe