Script Partial Encoding / Domain locking ?

[CodyLoco]

You know the more I think about it there more I've come to realize that domain locking would be OK- however what I would really recommend is having a demo version of the script for a couple of reasons:

First of all, it would let us mess around with Clip-Share on a different domain, which I like to do. I just like to keep things separate from anything else I'm working on.
Second, it would let you just put the damn script up as a download right from the site. This should deter pirates from looking around for the script since it's already there right in front of them!
Third, it will let people truly test out the script on their own (including whether it will work for them or not) w/o having to find it elsewhere before buying. I personally am one that will NOT pay for any software or similar w/o fully testing it out- not the demo- but the real thing. Clip-Share so far has been one of those exceptions. For everything else I find a cracked copy and test it- if I decide then it's worth my money then I go out and buy it because they deserve it (as is the case for most games I buy/play). I know most other people do the same- if CS had been available on the warez scene at the time I was looking for the script I would have done the exact same thing (and ended up buying anyhow).

How do you make sure you still get money though? Simple, just encode the script with Zend and MAKE IT RUN w/o a key. Now the trick here is that if you aren't running a key, you are limited to 50 users and 20 videos uploaded. This should give the user TONS of time to decide whether it's going to be right for him/her and whether they really want to shell out the money. Don't make a second script just as a demo download- make the thing have the demo built in (think of Adobe Products, download the demo, try it out, and when you're ready pop a key in and it's a full retail version). Also, don't make it say demo or anything like that- you want to encourage people to set it up as a live website and give it a go. The other advantage this gives you is that if their site DOES become popular, they are forced to buy the script anyways to continue growing. (It's like a bait tactic- get them to bite and you can reel them in).

Now, for all this to work, you're going to have to do some clever coding to make sure noone can just reverse engineer the part you've encoded and write their own, so it's going to have to be complicated enough to no be re-writeable, and simple enough that we don't loose any code editability. You're the coder-not me- so you're on your own :P

There IS a possible downside to consider here though- you may loose sales from people who think they are ready and really want to run a clip-share site, but after running the site in demo mode they discover they can't do it or don't have time or whatever excuse there may be. This means that instead of people having to BUY the script before finding that out they will find it out w/o buying the script. HOWEVER- I think in the long run it will look better because those people looking around to see what a production Clip-Share site looks like will be more impressed by only finding well-managed and done sites rather than half-assed put together sites (like mine :P)

And now, I've said too much. I hope you see where I'm coming from with this one because that just took alot of time to write and it's my 2c back into the community. I think it covers all the major bases: keeping Danny filthy rich, keeping sales coming in, keeping the overall internet word-of-mouth positive (don't end up like Altrasoft), and most importantly, keeping your current customers happy.

Please reply when you read this and let me know what you think. If anyone else wants to add anything (good or bad) please do as well.

[t.check]

I, actually, like the whole DEMO mode. If would be up to Danny to decide the limits, but that is a REALLY good idea. They do it with programs like Adobe Photoshop and such.

Great contribution!

[CodyLoco]

So Danny in the end now what do you think?

[Aryos]

Those who want to hack your site and spread the code will do it anyway. There is no such thing as 100% hacker-proof.

Zend Encoding has never benn and will not be hacked. THE END. Zend Engine is the PHP Engine and the encoder has been made by the 2 guys who have made PHP4 and 5. The only way you can reverse Zend ecoded files is very copmlicated and TAKES AGES for a single script (is successfull). The core functions of Clipshare should be encoded. every other file should be open, for customization. Plus, with Zend Encoder and the other changes in the new 2.5 Clipshare will be way faster, especially for larger sites.

[funk999]

Dead against the idea!

[t.check]

Some elaboration on why would be nice.

[Aryos]

The root files can't be encoded anyway because smarty won't be able to read them...

[dacookiemonn2be]

I think Demo locking would be nice, but I think Clip Share Pro owners should be able then to license one domain for personal / commercial use, and then be allowed to license another domain for mod testing and development. I dont think I should have to buy another license to have a demo mod test site, that will never really be used as a permanent site.
as far as Zend goes, it will be broke when there are things worth breaking it for.

[iternity]

I think it is a bad idea.

better lock the forum and make it only available to registered customers. i have payed BECAUSE I COULD change everything.

restrict the forum to customers! this will convert people that may use a warez versions to customers at the end. IMO this happens with the 5$ youtube clones too, first people buy this mess, then they get problems with it, then they buy clip-share

far better way to go IMO.

[vitalservers.net]

Possibility have a version with everything encoded and release it as trial or demo? This way, we can have a demo up on one of our Dual Quad Cores to allow your customer check out our network's performances.