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╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ ║ ║ S o f t w a r e B r a n d i n g I r o n ║ ║ ║ ║ ver 1.01 ║ ║ ║ ║ Nightware ║ ║ ║ ║ Copyright 1991 All Rights Reserved ║ ║ ║ ║ *** SHAREWARE-BETA VERSION *** ║ ║ ║ ╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ SBI is a User Supported software product. It is not and has never been free software. You are granted a limited license for up to 30 days to evaluate SBI. If you wish to continue using SBI you must register by sending $15.00 to: ┌────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ Nightware │ │ 3532 Birchwood Trail │ │ Snellville, GA 30278 - (404) 978-2893 │ └────────────────────────────────────────┘ Use your 'VISA - MASTERCARD - DINERS - CARTE BLANCHE' to register through our support BBS: ┌────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ DECIBEL BBS Atlanta, GA. 24 hrs/day │ │ (404) 288-6858 1200/2400/9600 (HST) │ │ (404) 284-1152 1200/2400 │ └────────────────────────────────────────┘ TABLE of CONTENTS Introduction.................................................... 1.0 Installation.................................................... 2.0 System Requirements............................................. 3.0 Menus........................................................... 4.0 Sample Program.................................................. 5.0 Product Support................................................. 6.0 Product Registration............................................ 7.0 1.0 Introduction SBI was developed to have an easy way of converting a non-registered version of a software to a registered version containing information such as the copyright notice, who the software is registered to, the serial number etc. I wanted a way to actually stamp this into the executable without having to recompile a version for new registered users. SBI came to the rescue. Now SBI allows me to "Brand" my software without recompiling. 2.0 Installation To install SBI, use the dos command MD to make a directory called SBI. Next copy all SBI's files to that directory. The following files accompany SBI and if any are missing, SBI will not work. Please contact Nightware for an updated version. ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ SBI.EXE - Program executable file │ │ SBI.DOC - Documentation file │ │ *SBI.LST - Software List │ │ *SBI.TXT - Registration Log │ │ ORDER.DOC - Order Form │ │ SBITEST.EXE - Sample Program for Testing │ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ * These files are not required and will be created the first time SBI is run. The SBI.LST file contains your software and change strings for registration purposes. The SBI.TXT file is a text file that retains the pertinent information when you register a software. 3.0 System Requirements This program requires a color monitor and 64K of memory. A hard disk is recommended. 4.0 Menus SBI's master menu is located on the left portion of the screen and is displayed vertically with each item in it's own colored box. To the upper left-half of the screen is sub-menu bar that is associated to the current master menu selection. To change master menu items, use the Up/Down cursor keys and to change sub-menu items, use the right/left cursor keys. 4.1 Info Menu This menu is used to display summary information about each master menu item. Use the sub-menu to display information about each item. 4.2 Setup Menu This menu is used to setup a software item and it's change strings. I'll explain more about change strings later on in this section. To enter/edit a software product, use the Select Menu. A display of 10 software products will listed. The current software item is the one highlighted on this list. To change selections, use the TAB or RETURN key to highlight the next item. When the item you desire is highlighted, select the Edit sub-menu. Now you can enter particulars as the software title, it's executable file and the change strings that reside in your program executable. To move through fields, use the TAB or RETURN key. To save the data, depress the F10 key. Now let's talk more about "CHANGE STRINGS". Change strings are character strings that must be imbedded in your program. SBI will locate these strings and change them to the new information that is entered in the Registration Menu. Enter the strings in the Edit screen as they appear in your program. For example the following items are available for entering your change strings. The titles are for suggestion only and you can use them for whatever purpose serves you best. You only need enter data for the fields you prefer to use. When you register a product, only the data fields that have change strings will be displayed. 1) Entity Name: 2) Version Number: 3) Serial Number:*SERIALNUMBER* 4) Product ID: 5) Copyright: 6) Registered To:*NON_REGISTERED_VERSION* In the above fields I only chose to enter strings for item 3 & 6. The remaining fields will not appear when I register the software. the strings "*SERIALNUMBER*" and "*NON_REGISTERED_VERSION*" must appear the same way in your program as they appear in the above fields for the change to take place. The program looks for an exact match so any deviation will cause the changes to be omitted. For example I program in C and in my program the above code would be initialized in to string variable as: char *regit[]={ "*SERIALNUMBER*", "*NON_REGISTERED_VERSION*", }; Be sure that these items are unique, because SBI replaces the 1st occurrence only. You can use whatever characters you prefer for the changes. There are many different ways of initializing a string, the important thing to keep in mind is you want the string to be in tact after compiliation. *Note-Make sure that these strings are as long or longer than the acutal registration information or truncation of the registration information will occur. *Suggestion - You might also want to hide one of the characters in the string if it is displayed. Then check the character to see if exists and reinitialize the change string. This would prevent someone using software of this type to lay in their own registration information. For example in the above instead of displaying the entire string "*SERIALNUMBER*" I may want to only display "SERIALNUMBER". That way if someone changes it you can check from the * (asterisks), if they still exist, the program can tell it has been tampered with and restore it. Your registration will remove it or change it to another significant character. There are many ways to get around this area if you desire. 4.3 Register Menu This menu item is used for the actual registration of your software, of changing the strings to your desired registration information. To select a software product do so as it was instructed in the Setup section. Next select the Brand sub-menu item. You'll notice that the software title and the program executable file are displayed. *Note - the file listed must be in the current directory as SBI and it must be an unregistered or unchanged version as well. Now enter the registration information that you want to appear in the software. Depress F10 to perform the updates to your program executable file. For example if I entered the following information for the example we used in the previous section, 1) Serial Number:sv103405-1 2) Registered To:Acme Software Co. the string "*SERIALNUMBER*" would be changed to "sv103405-1" and the string "*NON_REGISTERED_VERSION*" would be changed to "Acme Software Co.". 4.4 Exit Menu Use the selection to exit the program. 5.0 Sample Program A sample program called SBITEST.EXE has been included. This will enable you to test run SBI before using one of your own programs. It is best to make a backup of SBITEST as when you go through the registration process, the pertinent data strings will be changed. To setup up the test program in SBI, use the Setup procedure and enter the following information; Software Title: Any Title will Do File to Change: SBITEST.EXE Entity Name:*Entity-Name-Goes-Here* Version Number:*vernumber* Serial Number:*serialnumber* Product ID:*productid* Copyright:*copyrightnotice* Registered To:*copy-registered-to-is* (not they also appear on the screen when SBITEST.EXE is ran): You can enter any information you desire on the registration screen. Run the program both before and after registration to see the changes. Also examine the SBI.TXT file with any word processor, text editor etc. 6.0 Product Support Questions or inquiries can be directed to the following sources: Nightware (404) 978-2893 3532 Birchwood Trail Snellville, GA 30278 GEnie mail address : V.Bradley CompuServe mail address: 71520,1316 Decibel BBS Atlanta, GA: Bud Bradley (404) 288-6858 1200/2400/9600 (HST) (404) 284-1152 1200/2400 Whether you're a supporting user or not, we appreciate your suggestions on improving our products. Registered users recieve 90 days free support from the point of registration. DEFINITION OF SHAREWARE Shareware distribution gives users a chance to try software before buying it. If you try a Shareware program and continue using it, you are expected to register. Individual programs differ on details -- some request registration while others require it, some specify a maximum trial period. With registration, you get anything from the simple right to continue using the software to an updated program with printed manual. Copyright laws apply to both Shareware and commercial software, and the copyright holder retains all rights, with a few specific exceptions as stated below. Shareware authors are accomplished programmers, just like commercial authors, and the programs are of comparable quality. (In both cases, there are good programs and bad ones!) The main difference is in the method of distribution. The author specifically grants the right to copy and distribute the software, either to all and sundry or to a specific group. For example, some authors require written permission before a commercial disk vendor may copy their Shareware. Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of software. You should find software that suits your needs and pocketbook, whether it's commercial or Shareware. The Shareware system makes fitting your needs easier, because you can try before you buy. And because the overhead is low, prices are low also. Shareware has the ultimate money-back guarantee -- if you don't use the product, you don't pay for it. DISCLAIMER - AGREEMENT Users of SBI must accept this disclaimer of warranty: "SBI is supplied as is. The author disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, including, without limitation, the warranties of merchantability and of fitness for any purpose. The author assumes no liability for damages, direct or conse- quential, which may result from the use of SBI." SBI is a "shareware program" and is provided at no charge to the user for evaluation. Feel free to share it with your friends, but please do not give it away altered or as part of another system. The essence of "user-supported" software is to provide personal computer users with quality software without high prices, and yet to provide incentive for programmers to continue to develop new products. If you find this program useful and find that you are using SBI and continue to use SBI after a reasonable trial period, you must make a reg- istration payment of $15.00 to Nightware. The $15.00 registration fee will license one copy for use on any one computer at any one time. You must treat this software just like a book. An example is that this software may be used by any number of people and may be freely moved from one computer location to another, so long as there is no possibility of it being used at one location while it's being used at another. Just as a book cannot be read by two different persons at the same time. Commercial users of SBI must register and pay for their copies of SBI within 30 days of first use or their license is withdrawn. Site-License arrangements may be made by con- tacting Nightware. Anyone distributing SBI for any kind of remuneration must first contact Nightware at the address below for authorization. This authorization will be automatically granted to distributors recognized by Nightware as adhering to its guidelines for shareware distributors, and such distributors may begin offering SBI immediately (However Nightware must still be advised so that the distributor can be kept up-to-date with the latest version of SBI.). You are encouraged to pass a copy of SBI along to your friends for evaluation. Please encourage them to register their copy if they find that they can use it. All registered users will receive a copy of the latest version of the SBI system along with 90 days free support. 7.0 To register SBI send $15.00 in the form of check or money order to: Nightware 3532 Birchwood Trail Snellville, GA 30278 By registering SBI, you will receive 90 days free support and the latest registered version of SBI. You will also be notified when future releases are available. These upgrades will be available to you at great savings over the registration price. Rapid charge orders for SBI are accepted via Decibel BBS. Use VISA, MasterCard, Diners Club or Carte Blanche for all ONLINE Nightware product registrations. Decibel BBS also provides you with DIRECT access to the SBI author and other fine software authors. Decibel BBS - Atlanta, GA Tom Brady, Sysop (404) 288-6858 1200/2400/9600 (HST) (404) 284-1152 1200/2400 (with MNP) After logging on to Decibel BBS, use the Q command from the Main menu to access the Registration Questionaires for charge card registration of SBI. Following charge verification (within 24 hours), you will be able to DOWNLOAD the latest and complete registered SBI package! The $1.50 shipping and handling fee is waived for online registrations. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- N I G H T W A R E Your Name -------------------------------- Address -------------------------------- Address -------------------------------- City ST ZIP -------------------------------- ---- ---------- Computer System Description ------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------- PRODUCT QUANTITY PRICE EA. TOTAL PRICE --------------------------- -------- --------- ----------- Software Branding Iron X $15.00 --------- --------- ----------- Subtotal ----------- Add Shipping and Handling $1.50 ----------- Total ----------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------