registration posts

No more serial numbers in iWork retail boxes

by Dave Caolo (RSS feed) on Jan 21st, 2009

Customers who buy iWork '09 retail boxes may be surprised by what they don't find inside. Namely, a registration code. Apple has stopped shipping iWork with a registration code starting with version '09. "Install iWork '09 from the enclosed disc and you're ready to go," says Apple.

Of course, those using the downloaded trial version will have to enter a serial number if they want to activate their trial version. While iWork has traditionally required users to enter a registration code, iLife has not. Some have implied that this is a tacit invitation to piracy -- install our software on random machines, get hooked then pay for an upgrade, but we're unconvinced. Also, we have no indication (as of this writing, at least) that the iWork apps don't phone home to verify that they're validly installed.

[Via Ars]

Tags: iwork, iwork 09, Iwork09, keynote, numbers, pages, pirate, registration

Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Odds and ends, Found Footage

Graphical software licenses: a good idea?

by Mat Lu (RSS feed) on Apr 8th, 2007

Over at the Switcher's Blog (which is actually the blog for browser form manger 1Passwd) they're crowing about their new innovation: software License Cards. These are basically just graphic files that contain the registration information embedded in them. These "cards" are emailed to customers, and the registration is achieved by dragging and dropping the card on the application. They claim these cards are much more Mac-like than the standard method of a hex code.

While there's something to that, I don't like this idea as a complete replacement for registration codes for one simple reason: it requires me to keep these card files. With text registration codes it's very easy to keep a list of them in a plaintext file. For instance when I register software I immediately add the new code to my local registration text file, then I email it, as plain text, to myself for backup. I realize that I could email myself these cards as attachments, but it just adds an extra layer of complexity. If every developer used these things, I'd quickly end up with a ridiculous collection of these cards. Further, as some have pointed out, this also precludes printing out and keeping a hard copy of the codes. (All these points apply as well to the related practice of program specific binary keys such as used by Pukka and Overflow).

So I have a simple suggestion. Why not use both? In fact, the hex code could be "printed" on the face card itself. That way old curmudgeons like me could keep doing it the old way, but whatever putative benefits these cards offer would still be there. So what do you think? Do you like the idea of License Cards?

[Via Digg]

Tags: 1passwd, License Cards, LicenseCards, registration

Filed under: Software

LicenseKeeper tracks your serial number collection

by Michael Rose (RSS feed) on Mar 8th, 2007

The crew at Outer Level (developers of the kid-friendly, bug-chomping game Bullfrog) apparently have a problem in common with me, and plenty of other Mac users: too many software license codes and no system for organizing them. Excel and FileMaker, too bulky; flat text files, too plain; leave them in email and let Spotlight sort them out... tempting... but no. Enter LicenseKeeper, a $20 solution to this age-old challenge.

LicenseKeeper 1.0 will let you type or copy in your registration info, sure -- but it's also prepared to keep track of vendor website URLs, support email addresses, and lots of the other bitsies that tend to go missing when you need them. It will import directly from Mail.app and scan for serial numbers in the inbound registration message (a killer feature if you use Mail; I'm waiting for the equivalent Entourage capability). You can even attach files to the serial number records. A downloadable demo will handle up to five license records and three attachments each before asking you to pay up.

There are two other options for this task that I haven't mentioned so far: a general snippet organizer like Yojimbo or KIT, or a free license tracker like Licensed. Either path might work for you if LicenseKeeper isn't to your taste.

Thanks to those who sent this in.

Tags: codes, license, licensekeeper, outer level, OuterLevel, registration

Filed under: WWDC, Apple, Developer

WWDC07 Session Tracks Announced

by Mat Lu (RSS feed) on Feb 27th, 2007

Apple today sent out emails to ADC members announcing the session tracks for the upcoming WWDC07 (June 11-15). They are:

As I've said before, I barely know which side of Xcode is up, but these sorts of things sound so cool I'd love to drop in. Unfortunately, registration runs $1295, but on the bright side that's the early-bird price, $300 off regular. Heck you can even get five tickets at the price of four for only $5180, so you can take your four closest Mac friends! Nothing says "you're a pal!" like a ticket to WWDC!

Tags: registration, session tracks, SessionTracks, wwdc

Filed under: Software, Odds and ends, Internet

MacHeist registration open to TUAW readers for 24 hours

by David Chartier (RSS feed) on Nov 13th, 2006

We started out with 25 MacHeist invites for you TUAW readers, but we were quickly blown away by the sheer landslide of interest (over 800 requests and still counting) in this latest Mac software event from the minds behind My Dream App. Since things simply became too difficult for us to manage, Phillip Ryu and crew cut us some slack and opened their registration doors for TUAW readers - but only for 24 hours. Coincidentally, the first MacHeist mission ends in 24 hours (11:59 PM EST Monday, November 13th), so you'd better start clicking.

Just follow this link to a super-secret MacHeist registration page for your TUAW-reading eyes only (ok fine: I blogged it, so it might not be secret anymore, but it still sure is super). We're sorry we couldn't hook everyone up who originally requested an invite, but we hope this open registration makes us even.

Now, go forth and complete your missions. That safe isn't going to loot itself!

Tags: free, invite, invites, macheist, registration, registrations

Filed under: Software, WWDC

Apple extends WWDC early registration to July 7

by David Chartier (RSS feed) on Jun 27th, 2006

An ADC email just arrived announcing Apple's extension of the WWDC early registration deadline to July 7. This email also features John Penn II, Senior/Lead Computer Scientist for Adobe Photoshop - at least now you know one of the guys who's responsible for making [insert idolized star here] look so good in that lifetime tabloid subscription you have. Better yet, if you're a code nerd, maybe you can go learn a thing or two from Mr. Penn II since you can still save $300 on an early registration.

Tags: adobe, Apple, conference, developer, john penn II, JohnPennIi, photoshop, register, registration, wwdc

Filed under: Apple Corporate, WWDC, Apple Professional

Apple's WWDC dates announced

by Dave Caolo (RSS feed) on Mar 7th, 2006

It's that time of the year again. Apple has announced that this year's World Wide Developer's Conference will take place on August 7-11 in sunny San Francisco. There are several pricing levels available (you can see the full list here) and early registration ends on June 23rd, so get those requests in to finance soon.

Tags: apple, registration, world wide developers conference, WorldWideDevelopersConference

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