Readme file for EasyLock

EasyLock uses Windows OLE server technology to provide a security mechanism for electronically distributing your applications.  As the distributor, you simply set a few properties and execute a simple function call.  EasyLock shows a customizable splash screen and allows the user to obtain registration information, and continue the program if the time/use limits haven't been exceeded.  When the user registers the program with you, you can Email him a user name and registration code he can use to unlock the application for unlimited use on his machine.

EasyLock can be used to distribute any Windows application including Visual Basic applications and Visual C++ applications.  EasyLock was written in Visual Basic, and the following discussion is made using Visual Basic terminology.  For other languages, the same information applies, but the methods to make function calls to OLE servers may be different.

EasyLock has three components

1. EasyLock.exe which you use to make registration codes for users who have registered your application.
2. ez:LocSvr.exe which you distribute with your application (happens automatically with the VB setup wizard when you have installed EasyLock on your machine and you make the ShowSplash function call in your application).
3. Example.vbp, an example project that demonstrates how to use EasyLock in distributing your applications.  You can copy code from the example project into your project.

There are five simple steps to using EasyLock:

1. Install EasyLock on your computer by running Setup.exe.  This will register the OLE server on your computer and install EasyLock in Windows.

2. Copy example code into your program.  Modify as desired.  Ensure that ezLocSvr.exe is linked to your project (In VB4 select Tools, References, and check the box for EasyLock).

3. Make an EXE of your application and ensure that you have set the title, version, and copyright information in your development environment (for VB use File - Make EXE File - Options).

4. Distribute your application using your setup wizard.  The setup wizard will automatically include ezLocSvr.exe and register it with the operating system on the user's computer so that it will function properly with the application you are distributing.  

5. Use EasyLock on your computer to make a registration code to email to a new user that has complied with your registration requirements. The code is based on app.title, version.major, and version.minor of your application.  You do not need to distribute EasyLock.exe.  It is only for your use as the developer in making your registration codes.

Optional

1. If you wish, you can include Splash.bmp, or a modified version with the same file name for your splash screen.  When included, Splash.bmp should be installed into the installation directory of your application.  EasyLock will shrink or grow Splash.bmp if required to fit on the splash window and the distribution security window.  If you don't include Splash.bmp, EasyLock will provide an orange background.

2. EasyLock supports one or 2 registered levels.  Based properties of ezLockSvr.exe, you can specify how many registration levels you want in your application.  The default is one level.
