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Re: Issue 8 and WiFi
Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2017 8:44 pm
by Dave
Indeed.
Causes one minor problem, solves many.
With the Issue 8 having internet connectivity, it would be easy for new software to do all kinds of online distribution, automatic or manual updates, have downloadable content larger than the QL could hold, do online registration. All in all, a much nicer way to confirm how many users you have even (or especially) for free software.
Re: Issue 8 and WiFi
Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2017 9:40 pm
by dilwyn
Dave wrote:Indeed.
Causes one minor problem, solves many.
With the Issue 8 having internet connectivity, it would be easy for new software to do all kinds of online distribution, automatic or manual updates, have downloadable content larger than the QL could hold, do online registration. All in all, a much nicer way to confirm how many users you have even (or especially) for free software.
Start writing our first anti-virus NOW!
Re: Issue 8 and WiFi
Posted: Thu Jul 27, 2017 2:07 am
by Dave
Hehe. But first, write the first code to fetch and install then execute the virus.
Re: Issue 8 and WiFi
Posted: Thu Jul 27, 2017 9:31 am
by NormanDunbar
Many many many years ago, I wrote a virus in SuperBASIC with a small assembly "utility" attached. Simply to prove it would work. It did, I "infected" a few of my own test floppies with it, then deleted all the source code and infected discs.
As far as I remember, I had an invisible file on disc, named "one space" and if there was a boot file on the floppy, I loaded and edited that to call my hidden file. The assembly somehow, I can't remember, hooked into the DIR command, read the device, and looked for a boot file before passing control to the proper DIR command.
To be honest though, it was bloody rubbish!
Cheers,
Norm.
Re: Issue 8 and WiFi
Posted: Thu Jul 27, 2017 10:55 am
by Silvester
dilwyn wrote:Dave wrote:Indeed.
Causes one minor problem, solves many.
With the Issue 8 having internet connectivity, it would be easy for new software to do all kinds of online distribution, automatic or manual updates, have downloadable content larger than the QL could hold, do online registration. All in all, a much nicer way to confirm how many users you have even (or especially) for free software.
Start writing our first anti-virus NOW!
No, start by writing the virus, then sell the fix
Re: Issue 8 and WiFi
Posted: Thu Jul 27, 2017 4:17 pm
by Dave
You're a bunch of recidivists!
Re: Issue 8 and WiFi
Posted: Thu Jul 27, 2017 10:27 pm
by dilwyn
Silvester wrote:dilwyn wrote:Dave wrote:Indeed.
Causes one minor problem, solves many.
With the Issue 8 having internet connectivity, it would be easy for new software to do all kinds of online distribution, automatic or manual updates, have downloadable content larger than the QL could hold, do online registration. All in all, a much nicer way to confirm how many users you have even (or especially) for free software.
Start writing our first anti-virus NOW!
No, start by writing the virus, then sell the fix
Drat, should have thought of that, another missed opportunity
Re: Issue 8 and WiFi
Posted: Fri Jul 28, 2017 10:57 am
by XorA
Key cartridges
Hopefully someone on QL scene learns enough assembler to remove all these protections for the preserved software. Otherwise in for an awful lot of software loss in next decade
Re: Issue 8 and WiFi
Posted: Fri Jul 28, 2017 1:00 pm
by dilwyn
There are (largely undocumented) patches and workarounds and hacked copies around, although my efforts to gather information for my documentation CD project were not very successful.
Agree with what you say though.
Re: Issue 8 and WiFi
Posted: Fri Jul 28, 2017 5:32 pm
by NormanDunbar
From experience,much of it was nothing more than checking the format random number, or, the update counter (I think) in the original micro drive in mdv2. I did a bit of work years ago for Freddy V, unprotecting some games and stuff. I think Vroom was one that I did for him.
Some, like The Farmer, are absolute Bast Ards though! I never did crack that one.
Cheers,
Norm.