T&T: RE Nobeltec dongles

[Scott Bulger]

Perhaps this will help clear up the issue of Dongles and Nobeltecs Passport
charts:

 

a.        A Dongle is a hardware device that attaches to either a serial,
parallel or USB port

b.      It contains a fingerprint or serial number that software installed
on the computer can reference or validate

c.       It insures that the person running the software is in possession of
one of these hardware "keys"

d.      Locking software functionality to a hardware "k ey" prevents the
software from being copied and distributed in violation of the software
copyright.

e.      Nobeltec has chosen to implement a hardware dongle scheme to protect
it's Passport Deluxe International charts.  It is used for both VNS and
Admiral and is associated with the charts rather than the navigation
software.

f.        Nobeltec may or may not have done this because other countries
require it, I suspect they did it because it's a wise business practice to
protect chart sales and revenue.  

g.       Other companies (maptech) have implemented other copy protection
schemes that offer similar protection, but don't rely on a hardware dongle.


 

So in summary, while it may appear that Admiral needs a Dongle and VNS
doesn't that's actually related to the Admiral Glass Bridge functionality
and not the passport deluxe charts.  They have implemented a scheme that
allows an Admiral user to use the same dongle they use for Admiral for the
charts, keeping them from having to purchase two dongles for a single
system.  I hope I didn't confuse the issue, in other words, Admiral uses a
dongle, regardless of the charts, IF you use Passport Deluxe, it uses the
same dongle.  If you purchase Passport Deluxe International charts on a VNS
system, you will need a Dongle to unlock them.  

 

Scott Bulger, Alanui, N40II, Seattle WA