Someone would still find it in the end...
Remember that it has to have a field somewhere in the database (to remember when it was last called), and it would have to be invoked through one of the scripts are run often (index.php, whatever), and this would ensure that it would be found relatively fast...

Hmmm...

If there was only a way to make it required, or make it so that other code is built in and around with it...

Satan

You'd just hack the callback-part to simulate that it did the actual callback...
But you're still missing the point: We don't want that ;)

Unless Jelsoft encrypts the PHP file (Which means you will need PHPA to run them), anything they will put in can be removed within minutes. Of course, we can still limit usage of features that require Jelsoft's server... ;)

You don't need PHPA... The optimizer is enough (unless they changed something...)

I'm talking about the new encoder.

Oh... Have to read up on that, I guess...
But anyways, one of the reasons I am using vB is that I am allowed to modify it to my own needs...
I wouldn't be very happy if that ended...

Hmmm...

Im not so sure that it would be a problem Sparkz...I am sure that Jelsoft can find ways around those obstacles for liscenced users...

Satan

Umm, if they encode the files, how on earth would I be able to edit them?

Maybe they could release a decoder script, which you can only download from their site, which requires a vaild customer number and password...

Satan

Vbulletin has spyware installed and this informs Jelsoft were the software is being used. The problem is that the files with this spyware/callback key can be removed.

So therefore it becomes none detectable to VB. If VB introduces and keyfile and check key system were when a copy is downloaded along with a key and then when its installed you need to call VB to get a check key to validate it then this might help slow the rate of warez VB thats going around.

If VB put this check system in all there files then they cannot deleted all the files to get it to work can they.

So if it goes like this:

1) VB downloaded with a number
2) VB installed
3) a check key screen pops up asking for a check key
4) need to call VB or visit there site and get a check key using another licence number issued
5) As part of the license and the way the VB software is written it needs certain files to stay there or it will not run. There files will keep a tab and sent info back to VB.
5) If none of the above works then the VB software just will not work.

I know it will cost VB more to develope but I dont mine paying more and knowing there is no other warez site pirating this great software anymore.

Realist

Hmmm...

But as FireFly said - Any hacker can get around that easily...

Satan

Sure, then it'd take 5 minutes before someone downloaded the decoder, decode all files, remove any callback, post on warez board...

Just face it, you're not going to get away from pirates - no matter how hard you try.

Sparkz...you know, we could of all just agreed and noded to the option of embedding this, but you have been figure out ways to get around it, and now if one is put in, people who have been browsing this thread would know how to get by.

And since, the Anime Community has a big protion of these pirated version, and we all know most anime site webmasters now **** about hacking, so that wouldn't of been a problem.

Drk

I am just being realistic. Your suggestions doesn't make sense at all. It's not like I have been twisting my mind to get around your suggestions - anyone with the least bit of programming knowledge would have said the same.

You want to put crap into the software that renders it useless for some people. I'm not going to install anything that calls mommy everytime I tickle it (ie, someone loads a page).

And I don't want a vBulletin that uses encoded files. One of the reasons I came to vB was because of the ease of adapting it for my purposes.

implementing your suggestions would hurt vBulletin infinitly more than having a problems with pirates (which you would have anyways, it'd just take a day instead of an hour to release it).

Oh, not to mention the pissed off customers like me...

It won't do it all the time...here and there, and hey, I didn't say they will, or anything, I just kinda suggested it...

Drk

And I'm just trying to bash your suggestion to death ;)

Im trying to keep it alive...

/me gets pissed at Sparkz bashing attempts.

Drk

You know, I resisted the urge to chime in on this many times, but DRK, I don't think you fully understand what you're asking or what you are proposing.

Sparkz is correct. How many software programs out there, PHP or not, do you see that aren't available one place or another on the net?

Why would you want to take something that works and something that is gaining in popularity everyday and cut down on one of the nice things about it?

It really is a non issue, anything that Jelsoft puts in to combat piracy will be broken eventually. Look at Microsoft and all the money they put into the XP Activation, it was cracked before it was even released publicy.

Josh

Hey, these are just ideas, I don't even know how to do this, yet know how it works, I just suggested some ways, which can maybe be used, I didn't tell them to do it, I just stated my opinion about pirated software, and the circulation of it, and came up with a idea, that can be used if wished, you are thinking, that I WANT THIS PUT IN, well something could be done about it, but I don't care if it is or not, Im just sick and tired of seeing this everywhere, and I am sure the dev and everyone here is sick and tired too.

Please try to understand what I am saying next time.

You should of resisted harder then huh :p

Drk

you simply cant prevent it. period.
if you know what you are doing, you can cut rightaway the "call home" feature that is implemented now (and in future releases) in vB.

I had the Xp activation thingy in mind myself, but I get a foul taste in my mouth everytime I say that M-word... :P

What you have to ask yourself, Drk, is this. Do you want the developers to spend a sh|tload of time on implementing security that is going to be broken at once, or do you want them to spend that time on delivering a feature complete and stable product to the end users?

Developing features of coruse :)
and making it stable, and the best software out there.

I was really actually suggesting it, I didn't WANT THEM TO DO IT, I DIDN'T POUT, AND CRY LIKE A BABY...lol...and I was actually looking at it a different way then you guys were, though we don't want to get into the whole takes to long, useles discussion.

I suggested this, because i see this script being sent around the anime community alot, and from what I have observed a very big hand ful of them, no nothing about coding, so how do you think they will pull of cracking this? Now, ive seen the mose pirated boards in the anime community, atleast targetting and stoping that would be good right?

Im not saying put it in, and drive customers away, and the thread title was "how would yuou propse vb3 will try to stop piracy of its software", its not called "Drk thinks tehre should be a callback system, and he thinks it should be done now, so it can stop people from pirating"

im really fed up with the whole illegal vbulletin scene, I being only 14 had to save for literally months to afford this, and as i was browsing the internet, nearly every Vbulletin i visit is illegal :| Oh well they dont get the members area.

I dont think people realise what damage they are doing when they download that new song they love, or that new game they cant afford yet. Its crushing the game and music industries, and the internet industry is no different, The Nets becomming more of a bad omen than a gift.

I couldn't care less about the big greedy coorprations (music labels, software companies, etc).

If they make 3 billion or 5 billion, it's still a ++++load of money.
But I always take care to support the 'small fish'. Stuff like WinRAR, vB, Opera, Ritlabs, to name but a few...

People that come out whining about 'OMG, due to piracy, I only made 100millions this year. I think I'll starve...' can go fsck themselves... There is way to much greed in this world...

Tomorrow, when I am sober, I'll prolly regret this post - ++++ happens, right? :)

lol...yess, your drunkie!

Drk

I generaly don't post in threads, and prefer just to read.

The only way to semi-prevent piracy is to encode the files and add the callback feature. That would only slow the *crackers* (crackers is the correct term for what you have been calling hackers. Hackers, at least the real ones, don't break into computers. They just play with your own and create, not destroy) down a day or two at the most.

Alot of the people that crack software are brilliant minds, but have decided to destroy rather then create. I bet if they all decided to make their own software and release it for free, the market would be much more competitive.

But they won't. Piracy is a problem will take a long while to stop.

Even new technology, like policeware, won't stop it, and if (policeware) it passes, alot of innocent people not involved with warez will also be hurt.

Piracy is definately a problem, but I don't see it being wiped out anytime soon.

There really is no way to pirate proof vB.