Software Activation
Simplifies License Management and
Makes Hardware Keys Optional

Seagull has long protected portions of its BarTender product line with a hardware security “key” to ensure software license compliance. Although performance in the field has been outstanding, with tens of thousands of keys now installed, some problems will inevitably occur. For example, like any hardware component, keys can become damaged. Or, a user can upgrade to a new computer and their old key may not be compatible. A few users have even lost track of their keys during the upgrade process and then been unable to find them later.

Microsoft Proves Viability
Although users and resellers that wish to continue receiving hardware keys will be able to do so, a new software license compliance technology has recently proven itself more reliable, lower in cost, and just as effective. For a number of years now, Microsoft has shipped its XP versions of Windows and MS-Office products with software-based activation. We found this implementation so non-invasive and easy to use that we have used a similar method in BarTender.

Why Have Software Activation?
Software activation helps to combat software piracy and ensure that the user’s copy of the software is genuine. Although use of the internet is not required, it makes the process very fast, easy and nearly automatic.

It’s Safe and Noninvasive!
The activation process does not collect any contact or other personal information about BarTender users. Even the automatic, internet-based method (the quickest and easiest of the options), does not place “cookies” or “spyware” on users’ computers. In fact, even if the activation is done automatically over the internet, no further internet communication is required and the internet connection need not even be maintained.

Hardware-Keyed Version Still Available on Request
Although the standard configuration of BarTender is now “software-activation only,” resellers wishing to continue to offer a hardware-key-compatible version of BarTender can still do so upon request. (That version of BarTender would still make use of software activation, but the additional use of the hardware key allows users to more easily switch between multiple computers using the same BarTender software license.)

Activation Overview
Although new users are prompted to Activate at install time, they do not have to do so for 30 days. They can instead run BarTender as a “Trial Edition” (which is temporarily equivalent to the Enterprise Edition) for up to 30 days. However, the software then enters “demo mode,” which continues to be useful for designing labels but is not useful for production operation. After the 30 days, users wishing to use the software normally simply must Activate.

The easiest way for users to Activate their software is by typing a 16-digit Product Key Code (PKC) into the BarTender Installer program. To ensure a nearly instant response, the code is automatically “authenticated” by one of two mirrored activation servers (located thousands of miles apart for reliability). An “Activation Code” is then automatically returned to the Installer program to complete the Activation process.

Three Ways to Activate
As just described, users that install BarTender on a computer with internet access can activate almost instantly.

• Automatic, from within the Installer Program: Users simply type in their Product Key Code (PKC) and the rest happens automatically.

Users that install BarTender on computers that don’t have internet access have two alternative ways to supply their Product Key Code and receive back an Activation Code:

• Semi-Automatic, from a Web Browser: The Installer program lists the URL address for our Activation web site. Users can access this site to Activate from any web-browser-equipped computer.
• Manual, By Phone: The Installer program lists phone numbers users can call to get their Activation Code.

Registration is Still Optional
Activation has nothing to do with Registration. However, just as in the past, users that wish to receive free tech support and upgrade notices must still register.