Question on single-computer install scheme

[Just me]

Would someone please tell me if there is a way in Setup Factory 7 to setup the following installation for an e-book so that it is “locked” to a specific computer? Here’s the idea…

When the end user receives the e-book and begins to activate it for the very first time, a script is initiated designed to search out information specific to that computer, and then use that info it gathered as the activation code for that e-book.

The install routine then seamlessly inserts the code into the “e-book activation code storage file”, and the end user has full access to the book without even SEEING a password to enter or deal with in any way.

From then on, every time the e-book is activated for viewing, the initialization process goes back to check that the user’s computer ID still matches that which was registered during the original install, and if there is a match, then the e-book is allowed to open.

However, if the user would try to copy the e-book and distribute it to unauthorized users, then, when those other copies are activated, the initialization process will see that the new computer’s info doesn’t match that of the “e-book activation code storage file”, and the e-book simply will not open.

I’m sure that sophisticated crackers could bypass such a protection, but 99.99% of those who buy an inexpensive e-book aren’t going to bother.

So is this possible to do with Setup Factory 7, or is that a job for another piece of software? What does anybody say out there…?

[Adam]

How do you plan on launching Setup Factory 7.0 when the ebook is opened? I think that alot of this can be done using our scripting but this is not a trivial task.

Anyone else have any ideas?

Adam Kapilik

[Brett]

A quick search for "ebook security" on Google turned up the following:

http://www.locklizard.com/
http://www.ebook-security.com/
http://www.fileopen.com/10questions.html

Just to name a few. I don't know anything about any of these guys, but it seems that there are some solutions out there.

[Just me]

Thanks for the reply, guys! Since I am brand new to this kind of thing, I hardly know how to formulate my question properly. What I am after is whether or not there is a way to create the originally mentioned single-computer install scheme TOTALLY written and created by SF ITSELF, without having to add any additional outside vender software. Basically, package an e-book with the "single-computer install scheme" configured by SF, and send that total package to the end user.

I am aware of the other products that were previously mentioned, but I would like to produce my own relatively simple (if possible) solution that can effectively “lock” an e-book onto a single computer.

Any further comments or suggestions would be VERY appreciated. Thanks!
Tim Reed

[Brett]

I don't really see any way that SUF70 could do this on its own. The problem is that due to the nature of an installer it is only run once. You could look at AMS60 for this purpose. It could be a wrapper that is run in order to view the document. The document could then be decrypted temporarily to a folder and run. However, even this approach is pretty weak from a technology standpoint...

[Just me]

Thank you, Brett; that clears things up for me. I really appreciate your help in this matter!

Tim