Restricting access/licensing

[jh109052]

Anybody have any ideas on how to restrict access to formulas - not just encryption, but limited access so that only the person who has rights to load/run the formula can and they can't provide the files to others to use...

THANKS -
Jennifer

[eSignal_JasonK]

addEntitlement()

Hello Jennifer,

The function you need is addEntitlement( Name, Description [, URL ] ). The details below are from Chris Kryza's Help File, which can be downloaded from his file share group, Specialty Scripts.



Name: Code (provided by eSignal) or fully qualified URL to lookup file.
Description: Text to be displayed to user if they are not entitled.
URL: URL to jump to if user clicks on Description.


Example:

addEntitlement( "http://www.mysite.com/authorizedusers.txt", "Sorry. You are not authorized to use this script.", "www.mysite.com/HowToRegister.htm" );


The addEntitlement() function was fully exposed as of the 7.5 Gold release. It provides script developers with the ability to quickly activate or de-activate scripts for paying customers. With this functionality, you can encrypt and distribute a single copy of a particular script and only authorized users will be able to run that script.



The process is simple. Create a text file with the eSignal usernames of all users who are authorized to use your script and place this text file on your web site or in a private group in the eSignal File Share. Usernames should be entered one per line. Place the addEntitlement() function in preMain() and include the fully qualified URL to the location of the authorization text file. The final step is to encrypt the script. As users purchase/lease your scripts, you can add their eSignal username to the centrally-located authorization file. Deactivating a user is as simple as removing their eSignal username from the same file.



When a user loads a script that includes the addEntitlement() function, the file specified in the Name parameter will be accessed. If the current user's eSignal username is found in the list, the script will function normally. If the username is not found in the list of authorized users, the text specified in the Description parameter will be displayed to the user and the script will be halted. If the URL parameter is used, the user can double-click on the text that is displayed and their browser will be opened to the specified URL.



Notes:



The ability to store the authorization text file on a 'regular' web site is not fully operational as of the 7.5 Gold release. However, the function works just fine for files stored in private groups in the eSignal File Share. The web site issue should be fixed in the first 7.6 Beta.

[jh109052]

TERRIFIC ! That's exactly what I was looking for...

Now for the silly, simple question - how do I go about creating a private group ?
Jennfier

[eSignal_JasonK]

Hello Jennifer,

Here's a link to the Files Share's How-To. When you're setting up your group you'll see a list of options for public/private etc. Let me know if you have any trouble.

[dloomis]

Jason

I have the entitlement working fine, is there a way to add comments to the .txt file with the usernames, like

username1 //lives in ca
userumero2// likes the es

[Doji3333]

Entitlement solution..

I ran into the same problem. I wanted to be able to use the entitlement to enable people for different applications and restrict the "time" they are allowed to use them. There was no easy way to accomplish this, so I had it created.

I don't program in PHP, the language used for my solution, but I found someone that knew what I wanted and did it very quickly.

Now, I can store USER NAME, ESIGNAL ID, EMAIL for as many users as I like and enable them for different application IDs for any time length I want.

The next portion of this project will be to add more detailed reporting and possibly redesign the user interface a bit.

Let me know if any of you are interested in this solution.

Best regards,

Brad