Serial Number

[Suchy]

What is the main puropse of a serial number, I know it is to prevent piracy. But one can always make a copy of some softwere, and give it so someone with the serial number.

It just seems pointless.

[i an not a nerd]

Well, it gives some sort of anti-piracy...

However, some software doesn't use that however, such as The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion which uses no anticopy/piracy software whatsoever.

Unfortuantly there is no sure way to protect against piracy without hurting the legal users.

[saphalline]

Yeah, remember Far Cry and the problems people had when they bought the game but it wouldn't work with their older CD drives? Granted they should have upgraded out of a 4-6 year old CD drive before buying new PC games, but still... the copy-protection is getting to be a bit of a bother.

I like HL2's online Steam implementation. Just install the game, verify online once for single-player mode, and every time for multi-player mode. It does require a connection to the internet, but I figure anyone playing a modern PC game like HL2 should have internet. ;) There's certainly a middle ground here between Oblivion and Far Cry, but I still think Steam was the best one so far.

[Paul Komski]

But one can always make a copy of some softwere, and give it so someone with the serial number.You may be able to or not. If you do then only one installation is legal. If it goes to law only the legal owner of the serial would be immune from prosecution.

[i an not a nerd]

I like HL2's online Steam implementation.

Definaltly! Steam is the best implementation so far. Autoupdates, server browsing, etc all from the small client.

P.S. Some more games are being offered from Steam as well, such as Red Orchestra.

[rond36]

I like the way Steam keeps track of the games that you have bought and registered and to reinstall them all you only need to install one of them.

[PrntRhd]

But one can always make a copy of some softwere, and give it so someone with the serial number.
Software companies have the means via the Internet to track those serial numbers, and if duplicate installs are detected they place those numbers on a pirated list. Users who try to install software with those pirated serials will not get updates and may also face more severe sanctions including financial fines or criminal prosecution.
If you do not comply with the EULA you do not have the right to receive the software or share it with others.

[i an not a nerd]

I like the way Steam keeps track of the games that you have bought and registered and to reinstall them all you only need to install one of them.


Actually, you only need to install the STEAM client and sign in. You can DL any of the games, regardless of wether you have any of them installed, as long as you have them registered to your account. Thats how I installed HL2 when it came out, VIA Steam. I don't even have cds or anything (except some merchandice).