License files, security modules and dongles!

Are you wondering what a dongle is?  Are you wondering whether you need one? And what about registration and network licensing?  Well, read on; hopefully we can clarify everything.

Dongles and security modules

A dongle is a security module.  There are dongles that are attached to the parallel port (also known as LPT or printer ports), as well as the new USB ports, which are common on notebook computers.  Inside the dongle is a memory chip.  We program the memory chip so that it knows which products have been purchased.

When the iLearnInteractive products are run they actually check the parallel port and USB port to see if a security module is present.  If it is present, and the memory chip says that the program has been purchased, then the product will run.  So, if you purchase the dongle, you can install the software on as many computers as you like.  However the dongle must remain connected to the computer when the software is in operation.

Note: When you purchase the product now, the dongle is supplied "free of charge".  This was not the case before March 2003.

License files

If you do not purchase a dongle, the software will instead look at a license file on the hard drive.  When you first run the software the license file will be empty, so you will be asked to register.  The software will ask you for some contact information, and then generate two 'magic' numbers that are unique to your computer.  This information is all e-mailed to mobius, and you will receive an e-mail with an 'unlock' code (one for each product you ordered).  This number will be entered at the same registration dialog, and the software will operate for ever more.

However, what if you now want to run the products on another computer?  Well, you cannot move the license file from one computer to another.  It will not work.  So, if you wish to operate the system on more than one computer, you need the security module.

If you order the parallel port dongle, you will get a dongle that looks like this (except that it is cream colored, and you cannot see the chip inside).  You can connect this to other dongles that you may already have, and you can connect your printer to the back of the dongle - it will not effect the operation of the printer.

If you order the USB dongle, you will get this sleek looking device.  It is small and light.  Note that when you connect it to your USB port, the port cannot be used for any other devices.  If your mouse is normally connected to the USB, you will either need a USB hub that supports multiple USB devices, or you will have to use the parallel port dongle. NOTE: Windows NT does not currently support USB devices (but 2000 and XP are OK)

Network licensing

But what about network licensing?  Well, we have pricing options which allow you to connect a dongle to one computer on the network, and then run the software on any other computer on the same network.  For example, you can purchase a license for four users.  You could install the software on any number of computers.  Up to four users could then use the system at the same time.  If the fifth tries to run the software, that person will be politely asked to wait until another user exits the system.  We have many license options, so please contact us for pricing and other details.