Activation: Difference between revisions
m Drakeula moved page Online activation to Activation: Move to more general concept |
Cover activation in general, not just online. Expanded example. Issues with end of life. |
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'''Activation''' is a license or service validation procedure. It may involve sending information about a device, a license or a licensee to a service provider, and receiving some information that is entered into the device. | |||
For example, Microsoft Windows version 7 and later would collect information about a computer when they were installed. They create a fingerprint of the hardware, and generate a code based on that. Function was limited until the program was activated. One could activate it by telephoning the manufacturer, reading the code, and getting a code in return to enter in to the program. Activation could also be done online. | |||
'''Online activation''', also known as '''cloud-based activation''', is the requirement to connect to the Internet before activating a product or software that the end user paid for. Examples include: | '''Online activation''', also known as '''cloud-based activation''', is the requirement to connect to the Internet before activating a product or software that the end user paid for. Examples include: | ||
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In order to use a purchased product, users must share their personal data with the manufacturer. | In order to use a purchased product, users must share their personal data with the manufacturer. | ||
Given that | For online activation - It can be unsafe to connect a device to a network before it has the latest security updates. However, getting and installing the latest security updates can be difficult without a fully functioning device. (For example with Windows, if you have a computer with a functional current version of Windows you can download security updates for offline installation. They make this very difficult for those who do not yet have Windows.) | ||
Given that services shut down all the time, activation services can be lost, leaving the user with an unusable product.<ref>[https://karl-voit.at/cloud/ You Can't Control Your Data in the Cloud] - Karl Voit</ref> When the manufacturer regards the product as reaching end of life, they may stop providing activations. However some products may be in service for decades after the manufacturer ceases support. Specialized or orphaned devices may only work with particular versions of software, it may be impossible or impractical to replace the device. | |||
Some places in the world have limited Internet access. This can cause difficulties when activating. | Some places in the world have limited Internet access. This can cause difficulties when activating. | ||
Providers can limit activations or arbitrarily revoke access. For example, Xiaomi only allows one bootloader unlock per person per 30 days and four phones per year, in addition to a week-long delay after purchase.<ref name="xiaomi" /><ref name="Insta360" /> | Providers can limit activations or arbitrarily revoke access. For example, Xiaomi only allows one bootloader unlock per person per 30 days and four phones per year, in addition to a week-long delay after purchase.<ref name="xiaomi" /><ref name="Insta360" /> | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||
[[Category:Common terms]] | [[Category:Common terms]] | ||