Adobe Systems Inc. has begun testing online activation of its Photoshop 7.0 application in Australia as a way of stemming the illegal use of its software. If the pilot is successful, and so far it is, the developer plans to begin using software activation in the United States later this year or early next, beginning with Photoshop and then expanding to other apps.
Drew McManus, director of Adobe's anti-piracy efforts, says activation will require that customers who buy shrink-wrapped software--mainly consumers and small businesses--provide a serial number that's checked against its database, a process that takes 20 seconds or less. If the serial number is deemed legitimate, the encrypted application gets unlocked. To address privacy concerns, information on the activation server is kept separate from Adobe's product-registration and customer databases.
Larger businesses that sign enterprise contracts won't have to deal with the new process. That's because online activation can be an added burden in already complex IT environments, and because most companies don't intentionally misappropriate software anyway, says McManus. "Those companies want to be legal, but sometimes they've lost control of the situation or it's too hard to manage," he says. A future approach could involve helping IT departments use asset-management technology to better adhere to their Adobe license agreements.
News source: InformationWeek
Drew McManus, director of Adobe's anti-piracy efforts, says activation will require that customers who buy shrink-wrapped software--mainly consumers and small businesses--provide a serial number that's checked against its database, a process that takes 20 seconds or less. If the serial number is deemed legitimate, the encrypted application gets unlocked. To address privacy concerns, information on the activation server is kept separate from Adobe's product-registration and customer databases.
Larger businesses that sign enterprise contracts won't have to deal with the new process. That's because online activation can be an added burden in already complex IT environments, and because most companies don't intentionally misappropriate software anyway, says McManus. "Those companies want to be legal, but sometimes they've lost control of the situation or it's too hard to manage," he says. A future approach could involve helping IT departments use asset-management technology to better adhere to their Adobe license agreements.
News source: InformationWeek
- Shared files are scanned every 5 minutes (instead of every 1 minute) to save system resources, this can be changed to any value.
- K++ can now be automaticly be started with Windows, disabled by default
- My Shared Folder is located on the system drive by default (usually C:My Shared Folder), this can be changed to another location easily in KaZaA Lite options
- Shortcuts to My Shared Folder are now dynamic, they will always work, regardless of the location of your shared folder
- Build in AutoSearchMore feature
- Build in K++ Configuration tool
- Unreachable sources (local network IPs) are no longer stored in the .dat files
- Search history can be cleaned automaticly when closing KaZaA Lite
- Systray icon can be hidden
- Add-on tools can be started from within the KaZaA Lite
- Option to start other programs from within KaZaA Lite
- Sig2Dat quicklinks are added directly to the download list, no need to restart KaZaA Lite
- Updates can be found and downloaded from mirror.edskes.com
- Added keyboard shortcuts
- Includes the Sig2Dat tool
- Includes the Dat View tool
- Includes the AVI Preview tool
- Includes the Speed Up tool
where's the VLK? Anyway - I have an education version - i'm a student and I dont sell anything anyway.
adobe has anti-piracy efforts? the worst things i've seen them do (on a general basis) is block certain CD keys from their updates (like photoshop 7.0.1 update)
it's easier to implement an activation system on something that isn't as critical to a computer's function as an OS. i think they'll be really successful with this, at least, once they patch up the corporate non-activation hole. that's how XP is being pirated still, the last time i checked...
Sorry, you cant stop piracy of anything.
BTW, does anyone know when Dark Matter is coming out?
companies just have to live with the fact that their share of the market consists solely of people who buy software.. the other portion wont and never will buy the software, mostly because they cant (want to spend money on different things or simply dont have enough), so even if they are forced to do it, im pretty sure they'll resort to not having it... ever..
forcing crackers to buy software is like forcing a bum to pay for rent.. if he cant live in a hotel for free and get away with it, he'll live on the street, sooner than pay you for it..
1) Modify HOSTS file or routing tables on router
2) Run dummy server
3) Install!
Simple as that (well, sorta). But it's still exploitable and will be exploited, it's just a matter of time...
Yes it is, they first started it with a service pack on Office 2000. Office XP has activation, as does the Digital Media Edition Plus! Pack.
MPA=microsoft product activation
wpa=windows product activation
sad that they call em different things, but they do
1. I think educational versions of the photoshop software, and illegaly shared copies are good for Adobe. The bigger the user base, the better it is for them.
2. When it comes to buisnesses that use it, and are making money from their amazing software, Adobe deserves to see some doe from that. I mean, photoshop is freeken amazing! If you think its right to make bucks off what you produce in photoshop, and you don't let Adobe see any of that....
you're just wrong.
And about photoshop, well, just another couple of steps to do before having it fully functional.
Its a wonderful application and I love it to bits.. but theres no way in hell I can afford the prices which can only be described as extortionate.
*edit*
Just checked the UK Amazon price for Photoshop... £585!!!!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000063JZ0/ref=sr_aps_software_1_1/202-2458943-4891867
I could understand you saying the same about SQL Server perhaps, but Photoshop is a graphics manipulation tool. And besides, does a product being classed as a business application mean that it automatically has to have a huge price tag?
*sigh*
Yes, a professional tool.
Hence the price tag, deal with it!
Last edited by 22812 on 06 Jul 2003 - 13:29
But I did pirate, I did learn, and the company bought two Adobe packages at a grand-and-a-half each (one for Mac one for PC) and Adobe got their money! Not to mention I've upgraded twice.
I say, let your average just-wanna-have-it pirate HAVE it, and don't get your panties in a knot unless they start making money off it. Most professionals have no problem with that. This is really hurting the real hopefuls out there.
If Adobe made it cost say £120 for us mortal users then that would be great, and i would buy it no problem, they can continue to charge companies the same amount tho as they can afford it
Just Like Windows XP Corporate Ed.
If you want the program buy it, just like if you want an expessive car buy it, you wouldn't expect that for free would you ?
I don't get the mentality of many computer users, they think they have a right to get a copy of a companies program, well no pay up if you want a copy.
Bottom line is we have Photoshop newbies thinking they need this program when Paint Shop Pro would suit them and their budget better 95% of the time. And they STILL have the audacity to cry in public when Adobe tries to protect their intellectual property.
Grow up.
They are also fools if they think this method will stop warez versions. They will just makes hacks for every version that comes out, that will require no activiation.
Personally I like Paintshop Pro better. Its more user friendly, and much cheaper.
Photoshop is a very powerful program and well worth the money to the people that need it for their jobs.
Not every program made is targeted at users with minimal knowledge or home users.
And yes, we have every right to someone else's software without paying for it! As long as I'm not pumping out work and getting paid for it, it's not illegal! Distribution of said software is illegal.
YOU grow up.
I would like to see your answer hold up in a court.
Geez...
So, by your logic, there's absulutely nothing wrong with me stealing your car (I'm too poor, I can only afford a bike) and going joyriding in it, as long as I don't use it to go somewhere I really need to go.
What a set of ethics!
As was pointed out...want Photoshop? Pay for it, then use it to earn back your investment. Want to learn it without paying for it? Use the demo version. Or. if you qualify, buy the educational version, and consider it a cost of your education, just like textbooks and tuition. Want a cheap introduction that's fully functional? Buy PhotoShop Elements. Think Adobe's full of crap and an evil corporation? Buy Corel Draw (PhotoPaint) or one of the cheaper solutions.
Want it but can't afford it? Tough #$%&. Welcome to the real world. Applies to a whole lot more than PhotoShop too.
</rant>
Heathclif
Stealing is stealing no matter who you are or what the product is.
FACE IT PEOPLE!!! Its just like the saying, whatever comes up must come down. In this case, anything that is made, CAN be cracked or bypassed.
To the many companies getting **cked by piracy, you are all pathetic. Shape up, come up with new ways of protecting your stuff or else you will just dig your grave deeper. Microsoft especially, they have TOOONNNNS of money to spare, and look at them!!! IDIOTS!!! I even work for Microsoft privately and I'm proud to say that they have messed up indeed.
If you knew anything about the self destructive dvds you would know that thats not true, the dvd will acctually ruin itself after its taken out of its air tight wrapper by a system simialar to rust, making it impossible to crack, it has nothing to do with software.
Warez is inherently selfish.
This happens all the time, its called shoplifting, its not a good thing but it'll never stop.
The one thing I hate about the I.T industry is the many people that think they have a right to use a program without paying for it.