Thanks for responding, bub. Since you know I've a passing acquaintance with aspects of computers, programming and security, you already know I concur with most of your comments, even your stock and trade buy-it-if-you-like-it™ rejoinder. (if/when the program is found to be useful enough, of course... not all have deep enough pockets to purchase 300 to 600 programs per year) In no way, shape or form do I wish to overturn the sensible/ethical strategy of protecting contributing developers' licenses from abuse.
However, if CRAP© is indeed happening to some members "every day" as you speculate, or even rare and sporadically, as has been my experience, and a (sticky) poll were to successfully identify -
- those who experience the most CRAP©
- those problematic programs or developers spreading the most CRAP©
- any particular registration procedure vulnerable to CRAP©
then, might not there be a chance of solving or at least reducing the amount of CRAP©? That was my point.
As we entered 2008, I was quite content to reply to newbie CRAP© victims with your classic rejoinder; but with nearly a year's worth of GAOTD experiences and observations (and a little CRAP©) under my belt, the systems analyst in me now suspects there might be ways to tweak the process. Matters not if a poll spotlights a conflicting appl (perhaps a particular reg cleaner used by all the CRAP© victims), or accumulates compelling evidence for the boyz behind the curtain, the goal would be to come up with a more secure (or redundant) method of storing reg data. Perhaps even create a painless, automated "do over" option for registered members who demonstrate they followed the steps and still hold the registration code. (similar to automated password resets) Might even be worth charging a few bucks for a GOLD GAOTD membership at some point if the boyz are capitalists.
I'm just throwing the spaghetti on the wall to see if it sticks, not trying to stain anyone's shirt. Living in denial doesn't help, but proactive systems analysis and more user-friendliness never hurt.