New Run Engine Question

[fddizon]

Re: New Run Engine Question

Hello All,

Yes it is still a little confusing. Just sent this off by email to sales, to see what the answer is. Interpitation is a funny/crazy thing.

Hello,

Have been reading on the Alpha site about the new V9 runtime lic. Differences.

Say I purchase a 10 user V9 runtime with 1 license number.  I develop an application that can be used at 3 locations with 10 people at each location.

Does the licensing still work the same, where I can purchase the one 10 user runtime, and use it with the one license at 3 locations?  

Or do I the developer need to now buy 3 V9 10 user license numbers to distribute the application at the 3 locations, for 10 users at each location?

Thanks

Ed

Ed

Ed,

as i understand, you can install your runtime engine in one or more locations with added security. this security means the end-user wont be able to re-install (redistribute) the runtime engine to other location without our knowledge.

alpha suggests that we buy multiple single licenses if we develop applications that are intended to run on multiple clients for added flexibility. for example, you intend to buy 5 user runtime licenses, buy it in single license times 5.

in v8, limiting the use of user license on a 10 user runtime will take some xbasic skills. i know ira has an addin that serve this functionality.

i created one too but it is embedded on my applications, it asks once on first use for authentication before you can use the app.

regards to all

[trackmanpete]

Re: New Run Engine Question

Bill:
I am probably wrong, but in the past there was no need to put in a license no when using the runtime version of Alpha v8 or v7. Thus, yes, you need a runtime to run an application you created, but there was no extra charge when sending it along with a completed app to another computer. That seems to have now changed. As I read it, you would have to buy a separate runtime for each app you produce and prior to running the app on another computer, you would have to include a license number for the runtime for it to work. The license number would only work for one application, as I would think the registration would go back to Alpha for verification, as does a full version of Alpha.

Please correct me if I am wrong on this.

[Tbaker]

Re: New Run Engine Question

From what I have read on this forum for good while is that the developers wanted to take any hint of Alpha out of the application. Some suggesting were to use another name in the window title or "how do I stop the popup messages from showing alpha in the header?"

Now as Pete just posted

as I would think the registration would go back to Alpha for verification, as does a full version of Alpha.

I'm not a developer, but I think that would upset a client if they bought an application from a developer and then when they load the application for the first time they have to enter their license which would have Alpha intervention for verification.

I really don't think that is a good idea - but then again I'm don't make my living as a developer.

I may be wrong.

Tom

[Bill Griffin]

Re: New Run Engine Question

Pete,

Just stating what it says in the v8 license - "If you are developing custom applications for various customers, then each customer is required to have their own runtime."

That doesn't sound any clearer that a developer SHOULD purchase a new runtime license for each customer they sell a custom app to. Just because a license code was not required to be entered does not mean it can be freely distributed. I never heard of Alpha going after anyone for doing this , but MANY companies do.

I think Alpha is finally taking care of this unmanagable problem by requiring a license code to be entered for each user.

I think there was a common misconception about what could and could not be done with the runtime. I, quite honestly, never read the license, just assumed that you buy the runtime and whatever you did with it was ok. Does not appear to be the case then and certainly not now. But hopefully Richard will clear this up.

Bill

[Peter.Greulich]

Re: New Run Engine Question

That is a broken link, the correct URL is https://www.alphasoftware.com/shop/a...un_engines.asp

Thanks Lenny (and others).

[fsi]

Re: New Run Engine Question

Perhaps clarification can be found here re: v8:

http://alphasoftware.blogspot.com/search?q=filemaker


It says, in part (as example):
All Alpha Five runtime modules, which start at three-user, are unlimited runtimes. What does this mean? If we go back to the gas station model above, it means that I can sell my application to an unlimited number of gas stations without having to buy a runtime for each gas station.

-and-

Alpha Five allows you to install the runtime on an unlimited number of workstations per site. So even with the three-user runtime, if the gas station has 10 workstations, you can install the runtime on all 10 workstations, with the only limitation being that it will only allow a maximum of 3 concurrent users on a network. If they are not networked, then there is no limitation.

During my purchase deliberation, Alpha sales pointed me to that very blog entry to explain that a single 3-user license could be redeployed to multiple customers.

No doubt about it, v9 licensing is an entirely different animal.

[Selwyn Rabins]

Re: New Run Engine Question

I'm not a developer, but I think that would upset a client if they bought an application from a developer and then when they load the application for the first time they have to enter their license which would have Alpha intervention for verification.

The dialog in the Run Engine that prompts for the license number is completely customizable by the developer (if the developers wants to customize it).

[NoeticCC]

Re: New Run Engine Question

The dialog in the Run Engine that prompts for the license number is completely customizable by the developer (if the developers wants to customize it).

Indeed, I feel this would look and feel much more professional to the customer than the current/V8 model... If you customise it, that is... the important question about "What about allowing time demos/trials of apps written in A5" hasn't been answered yet though... this would be quite interesting although it doesn't currently affect me...

[Doug Page]

Re: New Run Engine Question

the important question about "What about allowing time demos/trials of apps written in A5" hasn't been answered yet though...

I think Richard answered that by saying that there is an OEM version for this purpose.

if you have built a commercial application that you are selling to multiple clients - you would qualify for OEM RUN ENGINE pricing that would fully take into account the price of your application to your customer and continue to make Alpha Five a very good choice from a development AND an economic point of view.

[NoeticCC]

Re: New Run Engine Question

I think Richard answered that by saying that there is an OEM version for this purpose.

I suppose so... it would just be a VERY nice touch if you could produce a timed demo/trial from A5 directly, without having to code any locks etc. after the trial expires yourself...

[DaveM]

Re: New Run Engine Question

I am usually very positive about Business, but it is non of anybody's business how much I am selling my product for. A runtime is a runtime! It is purchased by the developer or user and is not the business of any company or individual how or where it is used except as prescibed.

I built my own count and can stop my 20 user runtime at 1 or howerever many users and I execise that.

Programmers are the ones that need to worry about their licensing and it has been discussed many times on this forum. The how to's are here.

It sounds like we are going to have to buy a license for each sale we make and then OUR app will be registered with Alpha. This never happened with Clipper, VB, C, C++ or any other runtime/developement I ever worked with. This is something I am against 100%. I hope it is not the case.

Now I will be booted of the forum for sure, but have spoken like a true american with roots to the first people of this country. Now I am going to bed MAD.

[Richard Rabins]

Re: New Run Engine Question

Dave - we are not registering users of your application

[Richard Rabins]

Re: New Run Engine Question

Richard,


SO for the "package" developers there is an oem license. And for the custom app developers there is a more secure, more flexible and simpler way to license their apps.


Am I way off base or missing something?

Bill

Bill you have described it well

[Alan Lee]

Re: New Run Engine Question

Could someone from Alpha please reply to each of the following scenarios with short sentences, using small words.

1. I write a accounting application for an individual, single user, that I charge a $100. Someone must also pay Alpha $99 for a single user runtime?

2. I write a pricing application for a small office with 5 users that I charge $500. Someone must also pay Alpha $399 for a 5 user runtime?

3. I write a purchasing application for a office of 10 users that I charge $750. Someone must pay Alpha $599 for a 10 user runtime?

4. If I sold each of the applications in the above scenarios multiple times, someone in each case would have to pay for additional runtime licenses?

5. What is the difference between a package developer and a custom apps developer? A package developer distributes to many, as opposed to custom apps developer writing an application that they are the primary user?


6. How much is the OEM license and how does it work?

7. From another post that was never answered:
In V9, will it be possible to create an Update operation in Alpha, from the operations tab, that will update a SQL table? Will you be able to Post from a .dbf table in Alpha to a SQL table? Will other Alpha operations have the ability to modify SQL tables?

I am anxiously awaiting the answer.

[gmeredith17]

Re: New Run Engine Question

Richard,

Alpha has put the user forum forward as a selling point of its product with its friendly and free technical support. Well the forum is telling you something now and I think it is something you should consider. Reading through the threads I get a very definite sense of alienation coming through. That is not good. Remember you yourselves steer people to the forum to see what Alpha can do and the support offered in it. I just wonder what any new viewers are thinking now when the look at the backlash of comments. Do not make the mistake of leaving your current customers behind in that search for new bigger ones. I worked for a company that did that and had been established for over 40 years and employed 180 people. They got drawn into the Telecom boom and let slip all there defence contracts in search of higher volume work with the likes of Nokia, Motorola and Ericsson. Things were great for 5-10 years but when the bubble burst it hit hard and they closed down in 2003. Please, you have a great piece of software let it grow at a natural healthy rate keeping your current customers while looking for the bigger markets. The new runtime does not conform to that as you can see by all the comments.