remote license

homer09001

ok i'ce writen a CMS i intend to release it freely but i would like to keep track as to whos running it etc, hence the remote license

is it possible to have a file or even keep a key in a database, that the software connects to validates its key against the one in the database?

although there may be a security problem of using a database?

also would it be a good idea to encrypt the php code that validates the code?

MarkR

I'd say that at the very least:
1. Notify the users that this behaviour happens and provide them an easy way to opt out of this tracking
2. Only send a post-back occasionally, not on a regular basis - keep a file or something which contains a timestamp of the last notification.

You can easily make a remote HTTP post to notify your own server that someone's running the application. This could include the HTTP host name (but should not include anything sensitive). If this post fails, don't retry it or prevent the application from working.

You might also ask them for the administrator email so that you can (optionally) add them to a mailing list e.g. notifying them of new versions - but keep this low traffic and make it easy to unsubscribe.

It's not spyware if the end-user knows about it and can opt out.

If you're not making spyware, don't encrypt any PHP code.

Mark

homer09001

hmm ok

are you familair with SMF Forum software?

if not, in the admin panel main page it has a box which is populated with nes remotly from the SMF server i am plannign on doing that with my admin panel so everyone can instantly see what changes are avilable in an update etc, and i only have to edit one file

punkstar

Why don't you just make an iframe with a version number in the url.. then all you need to do is make a script on your site that parses the version number and delivers relevant news.

Easy peasy.