Why so many updates?

[oblivion]

I guess that might help. Won't make the $10 out of pocket problem evaporate, though.

What a horrible way for people to behave. 

I'd like to apologise on behalf of the whole of humanity for the extraordinary number of complete [removed to avoid frightening the horses] that exist.

[Paul (Lead Developer)]

Won't make the $10 out of pocket problem evaporate, though.

True. But maybe this can be mitigated by the app doing an online activation check once a month for the first year after payment? After the year, the online checks can stop because PayPal doesn't refund after 180 days and the user has proven themselves to be honest. That sounds pretty good to me!

[Xoannon]

I'd be okay with an online activation check once a month. Most programs do that these days and everyone's online 24/7 anyway. In fact, I strongly recommend you do this if it means supporting the product and keeping it going. I've seen too many developers shut up shop because of piracy and I don't want yours to be next.

[oblivion]

I'd certainly be okay with that too.

[GrahamB]

Do it, Paul. Almost every Android app I have does an online check for validity. It's the expected norm these days. Stop making it easy for people to get your excellent tool for free.

[Paul (Lead Developer)]

I've decided it's going to do an online activation check at every app launch, instead of every month. So it the check passes at launch, the app won't check again until it's relaunched, which could be quite a while if the user never quits it. I'm fine with that because I tried a monthly check but there's false-positive checking issues if the PC is in standby mode or is shut down when the month changes. I've determined it's better just to check at launch.

[GrahamB]

Sounds great to me, Paul. I'm willing to beta-test that if you like (you have my email).

[rjbull]

I've decided it's going to do an online activation check at every app launch, instead of every month. So it the check passes at launch, the app won't check again until it's relaunched, which could be quite a while if the user never quits it. I'm fine with that because I tried a monthly check but there's false-positive checking issues if the PC is in standby mode or is shut down when the month changes. I've determined it's better just to check at launch.

Only problem I can see is if the user's Internet is down, or flaky.  I suppose they'll just have to live without Toolbox for the duration.

[Paul (Lead Developer)]

The app's free mode has been changed to an hour per launch now (for the next release), for indefinite relaunches. So if the user's internet is down, they can still use it in the free hourly blocks until it comes back. I will never totally lock paid users out of the app at any time. The check is only done at launch, so if their PC is running 24/7 then the app will never do another activation check after it first launches.

It's time that Toolbox took this proper online activation stance like other paid apps. I'm losing sales by not doing it, and tired of people disputing with PayPal to get refunded after they get their permanent unlock code. The dishonesty in the world disgusts me.

[Paul (Lead Developer)]

@GrahamB: Email sent.  Make sure to test it with your PC in airplane mode at launch, and in normal mode.

[GrahamB]

Thanks for the test version. All good with my tests! Hope this solves your piracy issue. 

[rjbull]

The app's free mode has been changed to an hour per launch now (for the next release), for indefinite relaunches. So if the user's internet is down, they can still use it in the free hourly blocks until it comes back. I will never totally lock paid users out of the app at any time. The check is only done at launch, so if their PC is running 24/7 then the app will never do another activation check after it first launches.

It's time that Toolbox took this proper online activation stance like other paid apps. I'm losing sales by not doing it, and tired of people disputing with PayPal to get refunded after they get their permanent unlock code. The dishonesty in the world disgusts me.

OK, thanks!

I've heard of the 'PayPal refund' trick before, but only once, and hadn't realised it was so prevalent. Nasty.

[Paul (Lead Developer)]

I've heard of the 'PayPal refund' trick before, but only once, and hadn't realised it was so prevalent. Nasty.

Yeah, it's bad. PayPal always sides with the buyer too, so I have to refund the buyer AND pay a PayPal dishonor fee. So the user basically gets the unlock code for free to use the app for life. Well, until now due to the activation check.