[paranoidandroid]

Hi

Any info on how to create a class (or such) to implement shareware functionality? In orther words, how do make my app to be shareware - work of e.g. 14 days after which the user needs to obtain a registeration code?

Thanx

[corey@12mile]

There are only 2 ways to do this that I am aware of... the first is to have the app contact a server over the network and use the server to monitor the amount of time the program has been installed or used. You would have to make sure the user knows about this as it would undoubtedly cost the user money.

The other is to use persistent storage... but this can be overcome by wiping the handheld.

Most people wouldn't figure out how to get rid of the data stored in memory, but some people would.

It's up to you which way you go.

cd.

[simon.hain]

i would say the first option is not really manageable, it would be diametral to the blackberry security concept to allow an application to "phone home"

the second option should do it. as long as you keep your fee within reasonable limits i don't think even your customers that possess the knowledge (few enough i bet) would be willing to wipe the handheld for a few dollars each two weeks.

[Hackberry]

Originally Posted by simon.hain

i would say the first option is not really manageable, it would be diametral to the blackberry security concept to allow an application to "phone home"

That's what code signing is for. Besides, do you really think only a browser should be able to make http(s) requests? It may not be feasible, but it's certainly possible.

[arconsulting]

The most secure would be:

1 - On each startup, check persistent object.
2 - If persistent object doesn't exist (i.e. initial startup), send PIN # to remote server via http.
3 - Remote server checks to see if this PIN # was ever registered before. If so, rejects.

This prevents user from re-installing every few days.

The downside, is that they must be in coverage for this to work.

[paranoidandroid]

Hi

Thank you for the responses. I'll look into it some more.

I believe that mobile sw should be cheap, $5 max. The reason for this is; the service providers / carriers are giving the devices away for "free" and one doesn't want to pay that much more for sw.

Also, if you make it cheap then it would not be worth your while the "hack" the shareware.

Any case, thanx

[T-Roy]

Well, the costs need to balance with supply and demand like anything else. If I developed a piece of software that took me 3 months at 5 bucks a pop, well... I better have a lot of demand :D

[timinator]

That's what I'm currently trying to figure out - is it worth my time to develop an application for this device, with the intent of making it available on the shareware market? What are the number of units out there? Is it possible to sell a thousand copies of an entertainment product?

[paranoidandroid]

1. What volumes are we talking about?
2. The supply & demand mechanism is influence by perception; if it is too cheap then people might think it is not good. If (in general) it is too expensive it would be worth the time to find (or make) a crack.