[HazelGirl]

When you get software for the Mac, do you have to enter a key/code in order to use it? i know that on Windows programs (most of them) I have to enter a key in order to use it, or else it's just not usable....thanks.

[cpac]

it depends on the software.

Most commercial software requires a license code, just like on Windows.
Most shareware/freeware/demos do not require a license code.

One big difference from Windows is that the Mac OS itself doesn't require a license code (no registration/authentication process)

[cowicide]

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[Chuckit]

Originally posted by cowicide:
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I'm enlightened.

[HazelGirl]

okee doke....thanks

[Angus_D]

Most shareware does require a license code to work in fully featured mode.

[Rickster]

Further elucidation:

- The Mac OS doesn't require any sort of registration/activation procedure like recent Windows releases do. Apple still likes to collect demographic info when you set up the OS for the first time, but it's not required in order to run the software: you can press Cmd-Q (aka Apple-Q) to skip this part of the Setup Assistant.

- Most commercial software on the Mac uses a "dumb" activation code system. That is, the only thing that verifies your serial number is the software itself; you don't have to worry about the software company suing you when you replace your Mac and move your software to the new one (because their software was "phoning home" to tell them what computers its serial number was in use on).

- Some commercial and many shareware products use activation codes which are keyed to a name or email address which mush be entered alongside the code, but otherwise behave like the "dumb" systems mentioned above.

- Some shareware products, a number of online multiplayer games, and a few commercial products now use "smart" activation code systems which talk to a company server and/or are keyed based on a unique hardware attribute (such as Ethernet MAC address) in order to ensure that your license is only used on a single computer.

In short, aside from the OS itself, license code systems aren't that different on the Mac than on Windows... but you will find a number of commercial products which use more restrictive "product activation" systems in their Windows versions but only use a "dumb" serial number verification on the Mac.

[murk]

Is it really that hard to steal on Windows? I'm always amazed at how many people on that platform never buy software. A Windows user once told me to keep reusing Macromedia's 30 day demos all he has to do is edit his registry. I thought XP was supposed to crack down on these people.

[::maroma::]

Originally posted by murk:
Is it really that hard to steal on Windows? I'm always amazed at how many people on that platform never buy software. A Windows user once told me to keep reusing Macromedia's 30 day demos all he has to do is edit his registry. I thought XP was supposed to crack down on these people.

It's easy to steal software on both Windows and Mac OS. There is virtually no way to stop piracy. The best job I've seen a software company do to thwart piracy is Blizzard with their Battle.net service. It's very difficult (but not impossible) to run a pirated copy of one of their games on Battle.net. And they continually cancel accounts and cancel CD Keys that are caught.

[murk]

Originally posted by ::maroma:::
It's easy to steal software on both Windows and Mac OS. There is virtually no way to stop piracy. The best job I've seen a software company do to thwart piracy is Blizzard with their Battle.net service. It's very difficult (but not impossible) to run a pirated copy of one of their games on Battle.net. And they continually cancel accounts and cancel CD Keys that are caught.

I know piracy will never be stopped, but I thought XP had the ability to keep tabs on the user and even shut them down if they were running stolen software. Surely Macromedia would know if an XP user continually used 30 day trial software, wouldn’t they? I can’t tell you how many times when talking about some new software with a Windows user, they have already stolen it. Kind of makes you feel like a chump and afraid to mention you bought your upgrade. I’m sure they would never understand that besides trying to do the right thing morally, I’m also trying to do the right thing to help keep the Mac a viable platform.