At 01:03 AM 8/09/2003 +0000, james_027@... wrote:

>What does it mean if we say register?

Currently, it means you are on CPS books as an authorised user of IBO.

>Does it mean we have to buy it?

IBO is commercial software. If you are selling software built with IBO, or
your company is using software built with IBO to run some in-house
operation, then you are required to buy a subscription. Once you buy a
subscription, you become "a registered user".

Jason distributes IBO under a special licence as "Trustware". People who
want to use IBO to develop software that is going to be used by charities,
churches, schools or non-profit groups can present a good case to Jason and
ask for a free subscription. In some cases, a student might need the
source code for a university project. Jason also considers such cases for
registering that user and giving him/her access to updates. If it is
approved, then these persons become "registered users" without paying for IBO.

Another way to become a "registered user" is to make a useful and
substantial contribution to IBO by way of How-tos, code enhancements,
sample apps, etc. Jason is very amenable to "bartering" subscriptions for
this kind of work.

Registered users get free updates while their subscription is current. The
system isn't working well at all for Jason under the current setup. We
simply have too many people taking source code and updates, who are not
entitled to them.

Jason has a new, secure system in late beta, which will stop unauthorised
use in future. Once it kicks in, possibly this week, Jason's database
application will deny software access to out-of-date subscribers, Trustware
abusers and the many people who are currently stealing IBO source code via
"warez" lists and sites.

>I don't see any register word in the IBO website.

Users subscribe, CPS (Jason's company) registers. Some people still use
the word "register" when they mean "subscribe". This is a legacy from
Borland, who require you to buy a product first and then, afterwards,
register by feeding in a registration code, if you want news about upgrades
and access to service patches.

Jason's new system has some similarities, but you can open an IBO community
account even if you are not a registered user. You have to set up a
password account to which you must log in to access the new community
site. You can buy subscriptions through this site. Whenever you log in,
the system queries your status to determine what facilities you have rights
to. Specifically, you will be able to get updates if you are entitled to
them; otherwise not.

There will also be an interface through which you can present your case and
request free access under Trustware, although that piece is not ready yet.

Helen