Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!bonnie.concordia.ca!nstn.ns.ca!news.cs.indiana.edu!msi.umn.edu!noc.MR.NET!gacvx2.gac.edu!hhdist From: TNAN0@CCVAX.IASTATE.EDU Newsgroups: comp.sys.handhelds Subject: RE: download library from EQ LIB card Message-ID: Date: 27 Jan 91 17:42:00 GMT Lines: 30 To: handhelds@gac.edu Return-path: To: handhelds@gac.edu X-VMS-To: IN%"handhelds@gac.edu" Since RAM is modifiable and ROM is not, I do not think it would be difficult to 'copy protect' ROM cards. All the creator would have to do is add code that tries to modify memory (to be executed in the future) so that it will jump back out of the library instead of continuing execution. In RAM, this would render the program useless, but in ROM, the modification would fail and the library would work fine... Of course, we HP users are such freaks about figuring things out that we'd probably start an entire new mail-server devoted to cracking these copy- protection schemes... But nevertheless, I doubt it'll catch on... Did you know that there was a device for the old Atari 2600 that was plugged in between the base unit and the cartridge and would copy the contents of the ROM cartridge into it's own RAM (EEPROM?) and thus allow you to copy Atari games...? Of course, you could only copy one at a time and the copier was 5X the cost of the game... But it allowed many 'users' to share the same software... Sorry for the history, but it sorta reminds me of our story. A blank memory card is $200+ dollars (at most stores) while the ROM cards are usually $100 (although some are 1/2K WHEW!). My advice to the HP public is: Do NOT copy software if you want producers to generate more... My nightmare is that HP will perceive a piracy risk with the 48SX and will begin to devise anti-access circuitry for future calculators. This would be quite a blow to the calculator-hackers and many vendors may feel that the 'new-calculator's market would be more secure... Oh well... Perhaps it's paranoia. I find the most useful part of the 48sx's ROM card's is their small size and easy installation. I would much prefer to have 4 or 5 ROM cards with me in the field than a laptop with a hard drive (to keep the copied ROMs on). ---Xeno Gary Snethen