Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/5/84; site baylor.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!seismo!ut-sally!ut-ngp!shell!neuro1!baylor!peter From: peter@baylor.UUCP (Peter da Silva) Newsgroups: net.micro.pc Subject: Re: Re: software protection - dongles Message-ID: <336@baylor.UUCP> Date: Mon, 12-Aug-85 07:21:57 EDT Article-I.D.: baylor.336 Posted: Mon Aug 12 07:21:57 1985 Date-Received: Sun, 18-Aug-85 21:19:38 EDT References: <566@alberta.UUCP> <10800011@uiucdcsp> Organization: Ancient Illuminated Seers of Bavaria Lines: 25 > > If you're going to put part of the code in the dongle, why not put ALL of it > > in the dongle? I mean, cartridge software is reliable and fast to load, and > > Two comments: > > 1. A key with 1K ROM is a lot cheaper than a key with 300K ROM. > One major goal is to keep key cost at $5-7. True, but even a 300K ROM (why so big? The .exe file itself isn't 300K) is a drop in the bucket compared to the cost of the typical copy-protected package. And there's no reason to put libraries & other support in there, just ws.exe and ws.ovl... $39.95 packages aren't typically $300K in size. Games have been sold this way fpr years. > 2. The code is executed IN THE KEY. This is not the same as the > PC executing ROM code from a key. The 'software lock' passes > a subroutine ID and paramater block to the key, and the key > fiddles with it and passes a paramater block back. Just Oh what fun. Another way to slow down the computer. Isn't an 8088 slow enough for you already? :-> -- Peter da Silva (the mad Australian) UUCP: ...!shell!neuro1!{hyd-ptd,baylor,datafac}!peter MCI: PDASILVA; CIS: 70216,1076