> -----Original Message----- > From: piclist-bounces@mit.edu > [mailto:piclist-bounces@mit.edu] On Behalf Of James Newtons Massmind > Sent: Tuesday, January 16, 2007 1:26 PM > To: 'Microcontroller discussion list - Public.' > Subject: [BUY] USB Dongles > > > My main client is transitioning from a hardware to a software > based system (my fault ). He is not at all comfortable > with standard software licensing (and in this specific case, > I can see why) and so wants to include a hardware locking key > to control the use of the software. His clients won't mind > since they are used to the current hardware anyway. Other > comments regarding how evil dongles are should be tagged [OT], please. > > The problem is that I can't seem to find any company that > offers them in medium small quantities ( low hundreds ), for > reasonable prices ( e.g. < $20 each ) and releases source > code samples for how to connect to them. I had assumed there > would be a DLL you include in your installation and you would > call if from your application, but everything seems to be > much more complex and secretive. We aren't trying to stop > hackers here, just keep the users honest. > > Has anyone had any good experiences with this? I'd sure > appreciate a referral. James, As I understand it, the FT232RL and FT245RL parts from FTDI can be used to create such dongles. I'm remembering this from a blurb I saw on their web page. May have been advertising hype, may have been an application note. Probably worth a quick look at www.ftdichip.com. Another that comes to mind is Griffin Technologies. Might also be worth contacting them. www.griftech.com. Rob -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist