Activation and Registration Key methods in Linux Distribution

[gosalia]

First things first - sorry for those people who thought this was a tut, but do not haste once I find out, I will make a tutorial on youtube and on here, promise!

Back to topic, I want to implement a activation key method like Windows where users put in a registration key in the installation process and then after installing will activate their product on line to receive awesome gift packages and bonuses.

NO - This is no sense for any profit at all, I am simply a learner. I do not charge anyone for my products and do not charge anyone for buying a registration key, or anything in that sense.

Through the activation process on my website, I aim for a sensus of how many people actually use my Linux Distribution and from where my major target market come from on the globe. That is all, and also, remember that Linus Trovoldas (the maker of Linux (I hope I spelled his name right)) also agrees that this is appropriate in his many recent interviews and agrees on this.

So please help me implement a registration key method in my distribution, which is a Ubuntu-based, and an activation key method on my site.

If you have any idea on how to do this, please help. I have heard that OpenSuse has got this on their latest Distribution Version. Please help me.

[GNU-Fan]

I have to wonder, what is wrong with plainly asking your customers to take two minutes of their time and fill out the survey on your website?
If they care about your product, they will happily help you out, especially if they get "gift packages and bonuses".

If you try to force them into something, well, you will see for yourself...

[techieMoe]

I have to agree, forcing users to "register" even if it's free and done strictly for statistical purposes is more likely to convince users to ignore your distribution entirely. If you're trying to build up a following in an already saturated market (like Linux distributions) you want to have as few barriers to adoption as possible.

I, for example, nearly dumped the last version of Mandriva because it tried to force me to fill out a survey on my experience and register my email address with their site. I don't believe they would use the data collected for anything nefarious; I just didn't appreciate being forced.

One of the least popular features of Microsoft Windows is Product Activation. Do you really want potential users to associate your distribution with that?

[schwim]

Agreed. Final step of install, allow them a one click optional phone-home.

[gosalia]

I have to agree, forcing users to "register" even if it's free and done strictly for statistical purposes is more likely to convince users to ignore your distribution entirely. If you're trying to build up a following in an already saturated market (like Linux distributions) you want to have as few barriers to adoption as possible.

I, for example, nearly dumped the last version of Mandriva because it tried to force me to fill out a survey on my experience and register my email address with their site. I don't believe they would use the data collected for anything nefarious; I just didn't appreciate being forced.

One of the least popular features of Microsoft Windows is Product Activation. Do you really want potential users to associate your distribution with that?

I honestly agree with what you guys are saying. However I do not want my system to be a hasle for anyone, I simply want to know how this maybe done. I am not saying I will apply it, its just that well it looks really great in Windows, even if it is soo annoying, it looks professional. Plus - Noone has to fill any forms or anything, its just like Windows, all you have to do is put internet connection into your computer and my os will automatically submit a letter to my inbox or to my website saying so and so is using my os and that he is from america/some other country. That is all i need to know.

If you know how to apply that, then please help me. If not, then good day to you.

[schwim]

...and good day to you, fine sir.

By your leave.

Carry on.

As you were.

[techieMoe]

...and good day to you, fine sir.

By your leave.

Carry on.

As you were.

What he said. :P I'll be moving along, as well. Best of luck.