«

Hi,

I am deliverying an algorithm to a customer as a static library. I know
how to put a time limit (make the library functions only run for 60
days, for example), or lock the library to a MAC address.

However, what I need, in this case, is to limit the number of instances
of the library that can run on the computer. The algorithm processes
data and I charge my customer based on the number of instances of my
algorithm that they run.

Does any one know of a very simple way to do this? I want to be
absolutely sure that I don't cause my customer unnecessary difficulty.

Thanks,
John

<> wrote in message
news: ups.com...
....
> However, what I need, in this case, is to limit the number of instances
> of the library that can run on the computer. The algorithm processes
> data and I charge my customer based on the number of instances of my
> algorithm that they run.

Wrong group. But generally you need to guard access to the library by means
of a mutex/lock/semaphore/whatever is supported by the OS.

Alex

>I am deliverying an algorithm to a customer as a static library. I know
>how to put a time limit (make the library functions only run for 60
>days, for example), or lock the library to a MAC address.

You really like to **** off customers, don't you? In my experience,
network card failures are not that uncommon (because we use a lot
of them).

>However, what I need, in this case, is to limit the number of instances
>of the library that can run on the computer. The algorithm processes
>data and I charge my customer based on the number of instances of my
>algorithm that they run.
>
>Does any one know of a very simple way to do this? I want to be
>absolutely sure that I don't cause my customer unnecessary difficulty.

All of the things you mention above WILL eventually cause your
customer unnecessary difficulty. If you don't want to sell it,
don't sell it. You may do the world a favor by not writing such
crippled software in the first place.

Gordon L. Burditt

"Gordon Burditt" <> wrote in message
news:...
> >I am deliverying an algorithm to a customer as a static library. I know
> >how to put a time limit (make the library functions only run for 60
> >days, for example), or lock the library to a MAC address.
>
> You really like to **** off customers, don't you? In my experience,
> network card failures are not that uncommon (because we use a lot
> of them).

Seems like licensing becomes more important than the quality of the code in
question.

Alex

wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I am deliverying an algorithm to a customer as a static library. I know
> how to put a time limit (make the library functions only run for 60
> days, for example), or lock the library to a MAC address.
>
> However, what I need, in this case, is to limit the number of instances
> of the library that can run on the computer. The algorithm processes
> data and I charge my customer based on the number of instances of my
> algorithm that they run.
>
> Does any one know of a very simple way to do this?

Yes, but you are only allowed to look at my solution for 3 seconds...
....sorry, time's up.

akarl wrote on 16/08/05 :
> Yes, but you are only allowed to look at my solution for 3 seconds...
> ...sorry, time's up.

LOL !!!

--
Emmanuel
The C-FAQ: http://www.eskimo.com/~scs/C-faq/faq.html
The C-library: http://www.dinkumware.com/refxc.html

..sig under repair

On 16 Aug 2005 11:22:50 -0700, in comp.lang.c ,
wrote:

(of distributing software with a runtime license allowing X concurrent
users)

>Does any one know of a very simple way to do this?

Yes, but you need to buy a license for the required s/w. Seriously,
there are plenty of solutions out there, but you'll need to buy them.

--
Mark McIntyre
CLC FAQ <http://www.eskimo.com/~scs/C-faq/top.html>
CLC readme: <http://www.ungerhu.com/jxh/clc.welcome.txt>

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wrote:
> Hi,
>
> However, what I need, in this case, is to limit the number of instances
> of the library that can run on the computer. The algorithm processes
> data and I charge my customer based on the number of instances of my
> algorithm that they run.
>
> Does any one know of a very simple way to do this? I want to be
> absolutely sure that I don't cause my customer unnecessary difficulty.

Some hardware dongles supports this feature.

Daniele.

Great. Can you suggest a few you've had good experience with?

John

Alex,

Thanks for your reply. How do I get a common handle to the
mutex/lock/semaphore/whatever across all the running instances?

Thanks,
John