Brian - As I said, I am not going to worry about it (activation scheme) until the time comes, so please do not think that I am harping on you as I further explain my position to the others.
First of all, ALL protection can be defeated/cracked. Microsoft uses the same scheme and they are often cracked. It is true that dongles can be emulated but the cost to emulate a dongle is about $200. Even what has been somewhat proposed for Mach is flawed.
My issues with "rolling" serials and online activation scheme come from past experience. In one case I was actually burned for tens of thousands of dollars because of this very same protection. Fortunately, machines that run run Mach controllers do not suffer the usual problems and failures that workstations can. Unfortunately, some failures can and do occur. If a component or pc needs to be replaced then new codes are going to be required or someone is dead in the water. I have personally experienced Microsoft saying "please call us back". Now if Bill Gates and his resources cannot prevent that from happening, would it be fair to expect Brian to be able to? I don't think so. In my opinion, a dongle can offer better protection. Although dongles like anything else can also fail, that rate is far lower than any other protection scheme.
There are other things that Brian can do to increase profitability for the amount of time involved in writing and supporting Mach. For starters, regardless of what anybody says, they could easily charge $100 to $150 more per license and I think that people would pay it. There is nothing else even comparable in that range (unless you want EMC and it is still not the same or everybody would using it anyway). Brian could also stop the "free upgrades". Offering updates within a 12 month period is one thing but free upgrades for life is something that other successful software companies do not do. How can anybody expect forward development without a company charging for upgrades. The list goes on and there is no reason why Brain should be expected to work on Mach for free.
Should we have to endure the new web-based and coded serial I would at least hope that an activation period with an ample "timeout"also be implemented. This would at least remove some of my anxiety. I would also like to know that there is a "backdoor plan" should future development cease. In other words, heaven forbid that something catastrophic happens and Brain no longer wishes/wants/can sustain Artsoft then (revealed only at that time) there will be a way for all of us to continue to use Mach.
All of this is moot until (if) that day actually comes!
Brian - Still looking forward to the new release!