This release contains minor bug fixes.

• Fixed a structural issue with the License Generator.
• Fully tested in Windows 8 (no logo yet).
• Updates to msi installer package.

Release History

2.1.6

• Added upgrade option to Bootstrapper for unattended license generation.

2.1.5

• Added license input white space cleanup, to support licenses sent by email where additional line breaks and white space may have been added.
• Fixed a bug in the input validation of email adresses to accept additional dashes.
• Added direct link to introduction video after first trial activation.

2.1.4

• Added license input white space cleanup, to support licenses sent by email where additional line breaks and white space may have been added.
• Fixed a bug in the input validation of email adresses to accept additional dashes.
• Added direct link to introduction video after first trial activation.

2.1.3

• Added support for storing licenses in Machine-wide isolated storage in addition to support user-bound isolated storage.
• License Manager now warns when your own license is expiring.

2.1.2

• Hobbyist license is correctly identified and UI is changed based on license entry.
• Made all popuup dialogs show in front of the parent window.
• Fixed an issue where Windows versions prior to XP where not identified.
• Fixed an issue where .Net framework 4 client profile was not identified.

2.1.1

• Added start menu for opening help file.
• Included sample application in both C# and VB.Net.
• Added hobbyist level license and features.

2.1.0

• Fixed a bug where malformed product string in license file, crashed the license
  validation.
• XML documentation written and included with installer.
• Changed number of trial days in License Manager to 7.
• Fixed issues with dates not updating between textbox and calendar control.
• Added license edit (no history currently), double click to edit.
• Installation now includes two sample projects (VB and C#) to demonstrate a simple
  fully functional application.
• Added default proxy to enable autoupdate check in web proxied environments.
• Fixed an issue where licenses generated with a Trial edition would not validate.

Upgrade Today

A separate license code is required for the server side components, you will receive yours directly by email when you purchase it online.

2.1.6 Required for Bootstrapper & Hobbyist

The license key used for the server side components is not valid for use in the License Manager. Instead it will allow you to automatically send your clients an email whenever they complete a purchase, License Generation component from version 2.1.6 support the standalone IPN upgrade codes. If you purchase a MicroISV or Enterprise license you do not need to purchase this upgrade as it is already included in these editions.

This release contains minor bug fixes.

• Fixed issue where release notes in auto updater triggers a script error.
• Added installer option to start application after install.

Release History

2.1.4

• Added license input white space cleanup, to support licenses sent by email where additional line breaks and white space may have been added.
• Fixed a bug in the input validation of email adresses to accept additional dashes.
• Added direct link to introduction video after first trial activation.

2.1.3

• Added support for storing licenses in Machine-wide isolated storage in addition to support user-bound isolated storage.
• License Manager now warns when your own license is expiring.

2.1.2

• Hobbyist license is correctly identified and UI is changed based on license entry.
• Made all popuup dialogs show in front of the parent window.
• Fixed an issue where Windows versions prior to XP where not identified.
• Fixed an issue where .Net framework 4 client profile was not identified.

2.1.1

• Added start menu for opening help file.
• Included sample application in both C# and VB.Net.
• Added hobbyist level license and features.

2.1.0

• Fixed a bug where malformed product string in license file, crashed the license
  validation.
• XML documentation written and included with installer.
• Changed number of trial days in License Manager to 7.
• Fixed issues with dates not updating between textbox and calendar control.
• Added license edit (no history currently), double click to edit.
• Installation now includes two sample projects (VB and C#) to demonstrate a simple
  fully functional application.
• Added default proxy to enable autoupdate check in web proxied environments.
• Fixed an issue where licenses generated with a Trial edition would not validate.

This release only contains minor bug fixes.

• Added license input white space cleanup, to support licenses sent by email where additional line breaks and white space may have been added.
• Fixed a bug in the input validation of email adresses to accept additional dashes.
• Added direct link to introduction video after first trial activation.

Release History

2.1.3

• Added support for storing licenses in Machine-wide isolated storage in addition to support user-bound isolated storage.
• License Manager now warns when your own license is expiring.

2.1.2

• Hobbyist license is correctly identified and UI is changed based on license entry.
• Made all popuup dialogs show in front of the parent window.
• Fixed an issue where Windows versions prior to XP where not identified.
• Fixed an issue where .Net framework 4 client profile was not identified.

2.1.1

• Added start menu for opening help file.
• Included sample application in both C# and VB.Net.
• Added hobbyist level license and features.

2.1.0

• Fixed a bug where malformed product string in license file, crashed the license
  validation.
• XML documentation written and included with installer.
• Changed number of trial days in License Manager to 7.
• Fixed issues with dates not updating between textbox and calendar control.
• Added license edit (no history currently), double click to edit.
• Installation now includes two sample projects (VB and C#) to demonstrate a simple
  fully functional application.
• Added default proxy to enable autoupdate check in web proxied environments.
• Fixed an issue where licenses generated with a Trial edition would not validate.

IPN Upgrade

For the lower priced editions you will be able to purchase the Instant Payment Notification license generation feature separately. This is in development and will be released shortly.

Buy and Try

Just as previously you may cancel your subscription at any time and continue using the product until you license expires. I am also keeping the 60 day money back guarantee so that you can purchase, try the full product out and if it doesn’t solve your needs get a full refund with no questions asked.

2012 Q4

• Online Software Activation – this is the most request feature from established software companies… I have said that I don’t think that it is necessary but since there are so many requests for it, I’m going to give in and include an online activation feature.
• License Backup – It is possible to backup your license keys in the file system but there is no easy access from the license manager and there is no way to import backed up data through the UI. A backup/restore feature will be added to the license manager interface.
• Compatibility – .Net 4 is guaranteed to work and is a requirement for the license manager all the licensing components also support .Net 3.5. .Net 2.0, 3.0 & 4.5 need to be verified for all features.
• Silverlight – ensuring functionality in Silverlight and determining which versions can be supported.

2013 Q1-Q2

• Blacklisting – Incorporate license key blacklisting feature so that you can block known pirated keys.
• License Sync – Allow synchronization of issued licenses between multiple instances of the license manager and server generated licenses.
• License Input UI – Incorporate a standardized UI control for WinForms and WPF applications to allow simple input of each of the license details.
• Windows 8 certification – The license manager should work on Windows 8 but this has not been verified in full and the product needs to go through the Windows 8 Desktop App Certification Program.

2013 Q3-Q4

• Run Count/Time Limiting – limit the number of times or time a trial or licensed version may be run.
• Volume License Keys – allow online activated keys to be shared by a specified number of installations.
• Shorter Secure Keys – By using partial key verification it is possible to have shorter keys without any practical security concerns.

Note

This is a roadmap so there is likely to be changes on the way and I greatly appreciate the feedback that I have received while figuring out what features are required for different use cases.

This release contains minor optimisation fixes.

• Added support for storing licenses in Machine-wide isolated storage in addition to support user-bound isolated storage.
• License Manager now warns when your own license is expiring.

Release History

2.1.2

• Hobbyist license is correctly identified and UI is changed based on license entry.
• Made all popuup dialogs show in front of the parent window.
• Fixed an issue where Windows versions prior to XP where not identified.
• Fixed an issue where .Net framework 4 client profile was not identified.

2.1.1

• Added start menu for opening help file.
• Included sample application in both C# and VB.Net.
• Added hobbyist level license and features.

2.1.0

• Fixed a bug where malformed product string in license file, crashed the license
  validation.
• XML documentation written and included with installer.
• Changed number of trial days in License Manager to 7.
• Fixed issues with dates not updating between textbox and calendar control.
• Added license edit (no history currently), double click to edit.
• Installation now includes two sample projects (VB and C#) to demonstrate a simple
  fully functional application.
• Added default proxy to enable autoupdate check in web proxied environments.
• Fixed an issue where licenses generated with a Trial edition would not validate.

The new version contains a completely new user interface and many improvements compared to the 1.0.3 version.

Some of the highlights are:

• Easily manage multiple products
• View and handle all your issued licenses in one user interface
• Military grade encryption algorithms (Requires Vista or higher)
• Wide compatibility encryption algorithms, work even in low strength encryption environments (including Windows XP)
• Configurable license storage location
• Simple trial activation
• Strong named & Authenticode signed binaries
• Works in 32 bit and 64 bit environments
• Autoupdater helps you stay up to date

Check out this preview of the user interface:

Sign up for my newsletter before the release on the 21st and you’ll receive a special introductory offer! Go to Downloads to sign up.

Various user interface and stability fixes.

• User interface elements stay within the window bounds.
• Updates to data are reflected in the user license listing tab.
• Auto updater implemented.

Issues still unresolved.

• Email directly from the user interface.
• Certain updates to products do not reflect in the ui directly.
• Various other issues which are being investigated.

Ther full version will be available before the end of March 2012 and participants in the Beta program will receive special pricing.

Primary Features

• New user interface which allows easier editing and listing of products and licenses.
• New license file format which is culturally neutral.
• More simple and full featured license validation library for use in your products.
• Activate trial directly from the license validation library.
• Auto updater implemented so you will be notified of updates including release notes as they are available.
• Installer support for x86 and x64 platforms
• Tested on Windows XP & Windows 7
• Windows 7 Logo Certification – this is in progress but certification cannot be completed until the License Manager and validation libraries leave Beta.

Other Beta Highlights

• Public & private keys and application secrets are generated automatically for products.
• Product-specific C# sample code is available from within the License Manager.
• Option to store encrypted license file in IsolatedStorage.
• User interface elements now stay within the window boundaries!
• Updates to products are reflected in the licensing tab immediately
• Refactored license validation to make reverse engineering more time consuming.
• Support for old v1 style licenses with the license validator.
• Trial licenses can no longer be extended by just changing the date in the file!
• Added test cases for high value unicode strings such as Arabic, Chinese and Japanese symbols.

Breaking changes from version 1

• Changed the way that license validation failures are handled. The old license validation classes are still available (deprecated) but cannot validate new style licenses.

Unresolved Issues & Remaining Features

• Military grade licensing algorithms not available in 2.0.5.
• Delete of products and licenses is not activated in the UI.
• Send licenses by email directly from the License Manager not implemented.
• Certain updates to products are not reflected in the UI immediately.
• Documentation not available
• No VB.Net sample code.
• Auto updater does not restart the applciation when installation has been completed.
• No warning on application exit if there are unsaved changes in the current view.
• No UI feedback on invalid edition/version entry.
• Long strings in license list causes columns to fall out of alignment.
• Licenses for version 1 are not accepted as valid licenses in the License Manager (activate trial license to use the software)
• Testing on Windows Vista, Server 2003/2008, Silverlight and .Net 3.5 Client Profile environments has not been completed