4th ed. question [Archive] - Wizards Community

4th ed. question [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
comicsmike
08-22-07, 09:41 AM I just saw that when you buy a 4th ed. book, that you will have a code to get some online access to an online copy of your book, with extra material. I am a store owner in Michigan, and I am wondering about how these codes work. You see, I want to tell my customers that there code will work. How are you going to stop people from walking into a store and just writing the code down, and stealing the online copy from the paying customers? Thanks for your time.
Sarella Starshine
08-22-07, 09:54 AM Beyond the fact that there is an unlocking fee? I am not sure, and I doubt anyone else is either about how they would do theft prevention.

A great idea would be that to activate the code would require someone entering a word (or two) from the book itself (i.e. 'what is the third word in line 3, column 1 on page 145'). Since the entire book is digitalized, they can randomize where this unlock word is located. It can also weed out the most common words like 'a', 'an', 'the', etc. to make it harder to guess.
jaelis
08-22-07, 11:36 AM Beyond the fact that there is an unlocking fee? I am not sure, and I doubt anyone else is either about how they would do theft prevention.

A great idea would be that to activate the code would require someone entering a word (or two) from the book itself (i.e. 'what is the third word in line 3, column 1 on page 145'). Since the entire book is digitalized, they can randomize where this unlock word is located. It can also weed out the most common words like 'a', 'an', 'the', etc. to make it harder to guess.

I guess then you would just borrow your friend's book and copy down the code from the store.

Anyway, if the codes are all unique, then at least they'll figure it out. If person A copies the code and registers, then when person B buys the book and tries to register, it will fail. Probably person B could send in a copy of his receipt or something to prove he's the rightful owner, and they they could lock person A's account. But I don't know, it will be interesting to see.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
comicsmike 08-22-07, 09:41 AM	I just saw that when you buy a 4th ed. book, that you will have a code to get some online access to an online copy of your book, with extra material. I am a store owner in Michigan, and I am wondering about how these codes work. You see, I want to tell my customers that there code will work. How are you going to stop people from walking into a store and just writing the code down, and stealing the online copy from the paying customers? Thanks for your time.
Sarella Starshine 08-22-07, 09:54 AM	Beyond the fact that there is an unlocking fee? I am not sure, and I doubt anyone else is either about how they would do theft prevention. A great idea would be that to activate the code would require someone entering a word (or two) from the book itself (i.e. 'what is the third word in line 3, column 1 on page 145'). Since the entire book is digitalized, they can randomize where this unlock word is located. It can also weed out the most common words like 'a', 'an', 'the', etc. to make it harder to guess.
jaelis 08-22-07, 11:36 AM	Beyond the fact that there is an unlocking fee? I am not sure, and I doubt anyone else is either about how they would do theft prevention. A great idea would be that to activate the code would require someone entering a word (or two) from the book itself (i.e. 'what is the third word in line 3, column 1 on page 145'). Since the entire book is digitalized, they can randomize where this unlock word is located. It can also weed out the most common words like 'a', 'an', 'the', etc. to make it harder to guess. I guess then you would just borrow your friend's book and copy down the code from the store. Anyway, if the codes are all unique, then at least they'll figure it out. If person A copies the code and registers, then when person B buys the book and tries to register, it will fail. Probably person B could send in a copy of his receipt or something to prove he's the rightful owner, and they they could lock person A's account. But I don't know, it will be interesting to see.