[AccessD] Q: using the host id to protect copyright in Access

Hi Tom!

I do not have a complete solution for you, but I think the only unique
identifier that you may be able to retrieve is the MAC id "burnt into" the
Network Card. Assuming that the boxes you provide have network cards.

The host id (in networking circles anyway) is the IP address - this will
either be dynamic or at least certainly not unique.

Not sure how you can get to the MAC id though!

Hope this helps!

Chris Foote


-----Original Message-----
From: accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
[mailto:accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com]On Behalf Of Tom Hayes
Sent: 22 January 2005 17:18
To: accessd at databaseadvisors.com
Subject: [AccessD] Q: using the host id to protect copyright in Access


To introduce- My name is Tom Hayes - I run a small IT business in the west
of Ireland - Galway to be precise. Land of milk and guinness!

I build solutions using MS Access - I have been training and working with
the app. for six years. I want to prevent some of my generic solutions being
copied and used without my knowledge.


The ideal solution for me is a way to identify the unique computer number (i
think this is reffered to as the host id) and set this as a constant in a
module in each individual database (mde). Each time the database is opened
the computers unique id will be referenced by the database and either open
or lock depending on comparison.

Background: due to the nauture of the solution - I will configure each
database to each cpu and that is then delivered to site. If there is a
problem a complete new system ie hardware/ software is removed and returned.
There will be no ligitimate reason why the software should be used on a
different terminal.

I have used code in the past to retrieve Usernames into an access solution;
Option Compare Database
Option Explicit

Declare Function GetUserName Lib "advapi32.dll" Alias _
"GetUserNameA" (ByVal lpBuffer As String, nSize As Long) _
As Long

Public Function fntUsername() As String
Dim s As String
Dim cnt As Long
Dim dl As Long
Dim CurUser As String

cnt = 199
s = String$(200, 0)
dl = GetUserName(s, cnt)
If dl <> 0 Then CurUser = Left$(s, cnt) Else CurUser = ""
fntUsername = CurUser



End Function



Can you help or offer an alternative?

reagrds

Tom

Business Development Manager
HayesMinton Ltd

--
___________________________________________________________
Sign-up for Ads Free at Mail.com
http://promo.mail.com/adsfreejump.htm

--
AccessD mailing list
AccessD at databaseadvisors.com
http://databaseadvisors.com/mailman/listinfo/accessd
Website: http://www.databaseadvisors.com