> > > (IMHO, maybe CPU, but BIOS for the sake of discussion). LINUX should > > > read (and not "soft" read) a serial number out of the BIOS, and not hold > > > it in software to be hacked. BIOS manufacture might be easier to > > > > Any scheme like this can be hacked. Especially -- but certainly not limited > > to -- when you have the source to look at. > > > Closed software NOW on a Free kernel is the bridge to Free Software > Future.
The S/N idea is good, but - I have some practice in this domain - it's not easy to implement. Especially on PCs, where anybody can upgrade anything - everyday. The software solution is very easy to hack. Maybe a window to hardware (word-readable port or something similar) can help, at least this can be changed only with reboot. Or a smart-card reader, but this is like the hardware key on LPT port. After all we dropped all this kind of projects and the "copy-protection" is now made by law. With a little help from us: personalized serial numbers (like a checksum of the customer's date: company name etc.) I think Linux should support both closed and open programs, the commercial software is very important. Csoma, Csaba [EMAIL PROTECTED]