Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!wuarchive!husc6!wjh12!djb
From: djb@wjh12.harvard.edu (David J. Birnbaum)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: PCtools upgrade
Message-ID: <437@wjh12.harvard.edu>
Date: 1 Dec 89 13:20:50 GMT
References: <89112204294187@masnet.uucp> <4612@draak.cs.vu.nl> <3395@jhunix.HCF.JHU.EDU> <540@hpwala.wal.hp.com> <2094@compugen.> <544@hpwala.wal.hp.com>
Reply-To: djb@wjh12.UUCP (David J. Birnbaum)
Organization: Harvard University, Cambridge MA
Lines: 26

Concerning the recent discussion about whether to post the PC-Tools
5.5 upgrades to the net (or elsewhere):

Since the upgrades are encrypted, only users with an earlier version
of PC-Tools can make use of them.  Since Central Point does not 
verify callers to its BBS, pirates who have an illegal earlier version
can download the upgrades just like licensed users.  This suggests
that Central Point should make life easier for legitimate users and
permit the distribution of the upgrades on BBSs and USENET (depending
on net policy about distributing commercial software).

When I wrote to Central Point and suggested this, they replied that they
did not permit posting or circulation of upgrades because that was the
only way they could monitor the integrity of the files.  Given the
headaches they have had because of bugs in versions 5.0 and 5.1
(especially PC-Backup), one hacked file could cost them a bundle in good
will.  While I think they may be more worried than necessary, their con-
cern is legitimate, they have a right to restrict distribution, and I
think we have an obligation to respect that restriction.

--David

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David J. Birnbaum         djb@wjh12.harvard.edu [Internet]
                          djb@harvunxw.bitnet   [Bitnet]
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