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[mj1256 Friend mj1256Join date: June 2007Posts: 1473Downloads:10Uploads:35 Thanks: 84 Thanked: 225 times in 118 posts]

#266489

Thank You Hung!
<blockquote>the JA community is willing to work with you to find a solution!</blockquote>

so people. lets come up with some ideas on how to help JA out with their membership/registration/theft of services/warez problems. They met us half way and they listened to the community. As a community, we should be able to come up with some ideas.

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1 user says Thank You to mj1256 for this useful post

1. bossep

[VisiGod Friend VisiGodJoin date: January 2006Posts: 538Downloads:0Uploads:4 Thanks: 76 Thanked: 138 times in 18 posts]

#266496

The solution is to strike over the owners of warez sites and not the individuals who are end illegal users.
But many of the warez sites are based in Russia, where there is no exact clearance over the intelectual property.

[cgc0202 Friend cgc0202Join date: August 2007Posts: 2244Downloads:0Uploads:3 Thanks: 206 Thanked: 262 times in 1 posts]

#266498

<em>@Hung Dinh 74927 wrote:</em><blockquote>Hi everyone,
After reading feedback about the upcoming changes in the domain manager, especially the automatically registered function, we decide that the so called “Call Home” feature will not be implemented in the upcoming system updates. We are searching for a better solution for the domain management and we will keep you updated as soon as we find one.</blockquote>

Thanks Hung,

Going to a more specific issue: Will there be a fix for the Nagya to delete any of the “automated registration” scripts there.

For now, your response alleviates the need to write an article on this issue, intended for the “Consumer Report” version for website developers and creators.

As I argued in my earlier posts here, customers must accept the right of JoomArt to protect its intellectual property — a perspective that has not been fully appreciated in a number of posts here.

There should be as you stated:

<em>@Hung Dinh 74927 wrote:</em><blockquote>
…a better solution for the domain management and we will keep you updated as soon as we find one.</blockquote>

Considering how the customers feel in regard this matter, I hope that there will be better communication, between JoomlArt and us the customers — through review feeler posts, and yeah Polls even, initiated by JoomlArt — so that the perspective of both sides are well understood by both parties.

In the end, as far a I am concerned, the final decision, has to be made by JoomlArt. Acceptance of this does not preclude us from voicing our concerns and take the needed measures with respect to any policy by JoomlArt.

Unless something else develops this will be my final post on this issue.

Cornelio

[bossep Friend bossepJoin date: April 2008Posts: 262Downloads:0Uploads:3 Thanks: 50 Thanked: 15 times in 3 posts]

#266503

MJ and others,

Without a call home an automated detection of a non authorized template is pretty much impossible in my opinion.

But a manual registration with for instance a user key could be implemented.

It could work as follows:
After installing your template you enter your personal key in the administrations side of the template.
THIS MAKES ONE CALL to JA. If you have a valid license the JA system returns a new hashed key (like the password in Joomla) to be stored in your database for the template.
We then validate the key and If it is correct it passes or it prints something like “this template is only for demo purposes and is not licensed by JA?” some ware in the header.
This could of course be used to disable part of the template. But without encryption of a component this could be worked around.
This is probably not the place to post the How To especially not key generation algorithm, etc. only to ventilate ideas.
This could also be breached if a Developer Member shares his key with others as he/she has the right to install unlimited templates on unlimited domains but this is more a policy issue.
So the QUESTIONS is:
Could we live with this extra work on our side and the one call to JA?
Does this breach any Joomla rules?
Could we accept a small encoded component even if it breaches the J rules and regulations?

Bosse

[markb1439 Friend markb1439Join date: August 2008Posts: 124Downloads:0Uploads:1 Thanks: 14 Thanked: 34 times in 11 posts]

#266506

Hung,

I am sure many users will appreciate your decision.

Although we didn’t like the “phone home” function, we do also understand that you need to try and prevent unauthorized use of your work. So I’ll happily join the community’s efforts to help you find a solution that protects your interests and ours.

3 users say Thank You to markb1439 for this useful post

1. VisiGod
2. bossep
3. mj1256

[bossep Friend bossepJoin date: April 2008Posts: 262Downloads:0Uploads:3 Thanks: 50 Thanked: 15 times in 3 posts]

#266509

cornelio,
As no call for the function is present elseware you could probably just delete it but mark it out like this first to be sure.


/*function checkupdate() {
$database = JFactory::getDBO();

$database->setQuery("SELECT MIN(id) from `#__users`");
$idmin = $database->loadResult();

$query = "SELECT params from #__users WHERE id=$idmin";
$database->setQuery($query);
$content = $database->loadResult();
$params = new JParameter($content);

if($params->get('checkUpdateVersDate')!=date("Ymd")){
$params->set('checkUpdateVersDate', date("Ymd"));
$content = $params->toString();

$query = "UPDATE `#__users` SET `params`='$content' WHERE `id`=$idmin";
$database->setQuery($query);
$database->query();

$datas = '$J#PRODUCT_KEY$,$J#OWNER$,'.JURI::base();
$req = "datas=$datas";
$url = '/checkversion.php';
$address = "www3.joomlart.com";
$port = 80;
$header = "POST $url HTTP/1.0rn";
$header .= "Host: $addressrn";
$header .= "Content-Type: application/x-www-form-urlencodedrn";
$header .= "Content-Length: " . strlen ($req) . "rnrn";
$fp = fsockopen($address,80);

if (!$fp) return false;
@fputs ($fp, $header . $req);
$res = '';

while (!@feof($fp)){
$res .=@ fgets ($fp, 1024);
}
@fclose ($fp);
preg_match('/rnrn(.+)$/m', $res, $regs);
//Get result
$lastestVers = $regs[1];
$lastestVers = explode( '-', $lastestVers);

//get content from .xml file
$filename = dirname(__FILE__).DS."templateDetails.xml";

if (file_exists($filename) && is_writable($filename)) {
$data = '';
$fh = fopen($filename, 'rb');
if ($fsize = filesize($filename)) {
$data = fread($fh, $fsize);
}
fclose($fh);

$posfirstVers = strpos($data, '<version>');
$poslastVers = strpos($data, '</version>');

$firstContent = substr($data, 0, $posfirstVers);
$lastContent = substr($data, $poslastVers+10);
$versContent = substr($data, $posfirstVers+9, ($poslastVers- $posfirstVers-9));

$curVers = explode('-', $versContent);
$curVers = count($curVers)?$curVers[0]:'1.0';
$lastVerContent = "<version>$curVers-<a href="".$lastestVers[0]."" target="_blank" >Lastest: ".$lastestVers[1]." </a></version>";
$newdatas = $firstContent.$lastVerContent.$lastContent;

if (($fh = @fopen($filename, 'w+', 1)) === false) {
return false;
}
$bytes = 0;
if (($bytes = @fwrite($fh, $newdatas)) === false) {
return false;
}

@fclose($fh);
}
}
}*/


[bossep Friend bossepJoin date: April 2008Posts: 262Downloads:0Uploads:3 Thanks: 50 Thanked: 15 times in 3 posts]

#266516

<em>@VisiGod 74942 wrote:</em><blockquote>The solution is to strike over the owners of warez sites and not the individuals who are end illegal users.
But many of the warez sites are based in Russia, where there is no exact clearance over the intelectual property.</blockquote>
Well VisiGod, that is mission impossible;) all the big dragons are trying with no good results.
Same goes with all the file sharing systems like …. oh well no adverticing for them here right!

Bosse

[mj1256 Friend mj1256Join date: June 2007Posts: 1473Downloads:10Uploads:35 Thanks: 84 Thanked: 225 times in 118 posts]

#266524

hey, I like that,

OK

solution
1) user key
2)

[bossep Friend bossepJoin date: April 2008Posts: 262Downloads:0Uploads:3 Thanks: 50 Thanked: 15 times in 3 posts]

#266584

1. Create ONE small Encrypted file. The algorithm should be public and contain a “key string”. This key should then be replaced with a similar one of the same length for the encrypted version. We could then verify the integrity of the algorithm with a simple check sum.
2. The encrypt decrypt should be done with standard PHP functions if possible, to avoid problems with lib installations.
3. During the activation of the template the user should provide the assigned license number. The domain name should be abstracted from the system and be provided to JA together with the license number or string. JA then compiles this information and sends it back as a hashed string to be stored in the user’s database or a writable file.
4. The algorithm should then compare the decrypted information with the domain name and probably the hashed license number.
5. If all is fine the algorithm prints out a key in the head. If not it does something else.
6. JA has a routine to check a domain for the header key when I user reports a domain non-JA to free up the assigned quantity of licenses.

This is just a first little brainstorm by me and it might not satisfy all. It also requires some work at JA to handle the key requests. I am 100% sure the above outline could be improved and it is absolutely NOT written in stone so please fellow users and programmers help out with this.
Also input from JA is necessary here as we must come to a compromise and some level of trust.
If you think I am crazy, please say so! But I then hope you have a good suggestion to show.
As we all can see this REQUIERS ONE “call home” once. All other calls are done by JA. Can we live with that?

Bosse

[amejat Friend amejatJoin date: February 2008Posts: 124Downloads:0Uploads:0 Thanks: 16 Thanked: 3 times in 2 posts]

#266591

STOP !!!!!

I was one of the first congratulating the Joomlart team for the decision of switching from 2 to 1 template per month at the condition we would have better quality.

And JA olivine is… just a shame !!! Nothing new. More than basic ! Equivalent to any free template around !

And now I read that you plan to implement a licensing system with “call home” systems in the template ???!!!

So I say STOP .

I completetely change my mind and ask to be reimbursed or at least compensate immediatly.

We are NOT talking about an open source community where everyone contribute here. We talk about a professional service we PAID for. And the initial contract was clear and mentioned a certain number of templates accessible before the end of the membership. Moreover, it indicates NO licensing or “call home” system.

So I WANT:

– a prologation of my membership so that it corresponds to the number of templates I paid to have.
– the immediate stop of any talk or attempt to implement any call home system or encrypted file INSIDE the template

I am not kidding and am really serious. I am a CUSTOMER who paid for a service and I WANT the service I paid for and no change in the contract in the middle of my membership. If not, I ask to be reimbursed of the totality of the membership or I plan to sue you for false advertising.

I can not beleive some of you planned to “help” and create a “community”. Come on ! What do we pay for ???

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1. tanisha

[mj1256 Friend mj1256Join date: June 2007Posts: 1473Downloads:10Uploads:35 Thanks: 84 Thanked: 225 times in 118 posts]

#266609

<blockquote>We are NOT talking about an open source community where everyone contribute here. </blockquote>

well. we have a community of paid users here who spoke up against the “Phone Home” issue and the JA people heard us and cancelled their plans. Its only because of the community aspect of this company that we were able to have a voice and be heard.

So, that is a dead issue

<blockquote>And JA olivine is… just a shame !!! Nothing new. More than basic ! Equivalent to any free template around !</blockquote>

well, I agree, its not their best work, but I am considering it for a simple business website and others did like it. There is no way that every template will please the discerning palette of every member everytime. It will always be hit and miss. I’m not defending JA, its just the way business is, not everything is a winner.
Remember “new coke”

<blockquote>I can not believe some of you planned to “help” and create a “community”.</blockquote>

that was out of response to them dropping the “phone home” feature. They still have a problem with template theft and several of us though that out of respect to JA for hearing and reacting to its customers, that maybe we could help with an alternative plan to their problem so that they would not need to resort to such licensing schemes. they did not have to back down, but the fact they did was a good thing.

The community we were talking about was a joomla template provider regulation board and the setup of universal criteria to rate and certify the templates and template companies to insure quality, compatibilty, customer support standards and consistency. That obviously would have to operate outside of JA.

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1. bossep

[cgc0202 Friend cgc0202Join date: August 2007Posts: 2244Downloads:0Uploads:3 Thanks: 206 Thanked: 262 times in 1 posts]

#266620

Hi amejat,

I promised that I would not post in this thread anymore but I find possible inaccuracies in your allegations, and they need to be pointed out.

<em>@amejat 75047 wrote:</em><blockquote>STOP !!!!!

I was one of the first congratulating the Joomlart team for the decision of switching from 2 to 1 template per month at the condition we would have better quality.

And JA olivine is… just a shame !!! Nothing new. More than basic ! Equivalent to any free template around !

And now I read that you plan to implement a licensing system with “call home” systems in the template ???!!!

So I say STOP .

I completetely change my mind and ask to be reimbursed or at least compensate immediatly.

We are NOT talking about an open source community where everyone contribute here. We talk about a professional service we PAID for. And the initial contract was clear and mentioned a certain number of templates accessible before the end of the membership. Moreover, it indicates NO licensing or “call home” system.
</blockquote>

When you joined Joomlart in February 2008, did you look at the available templates offered before February 2008. Did you compare the templates offered by Joomlart and other companies like RocketTheme, GavickPro, and other Joomla template companies?

If you have not done your assignment before you joined, can we agree that you are partly to blame? Joomlart did not force you to join. Please remember that.

If you have done your assignment, should you not have gotten a very good idea what you were getting into. To paraphrase you, if you did your assignment, you should already have a fairly good impression even before you joined — “how low class the quality of Joomlart templates, nothing better than free templates.” Or, did you just have an epiphany, after seeing the Olivine how incorrect your judgment of Joomlart was?

And since February 2008, none of the templates caught your fancy? Not even one, or two? or three? Are you a website developer (it does not indicate in your designation) that creates websites for your client? How many templates do you need? 10?, 20?, 30? 60? exceptionally high quallity templates? I would be interested to know.

Custom designed templates can cost US$10K-40K, if professionally done, at least from some of those I gathered. Even in the Philippines, where I came from, young programmers charge US$22 per hour on consignment. They work for Western companies that would charge their clients much much more. After working continuously for several weeks, some of those I asked bragged that they have enough money to last them a month, with lots of partying in the process.

<em>@amejat 75047 wrote:</em><blockquote>
So I WANT:

– a prologation of my membership so that it corresponds to the number of templates I paid to have.
– the immediate stop of any talk or attempt to implement any call home system or encrypted file INSIDE the template

I am not kidding and am really serious. I am a CUSTOMER who paid for a service and I WANT the service I paid for and no change in the contract in the middle of my membership. If not, I ask to be reimbursed of the totality of the membership or I plan to sue you for false advertising.

I can not beleive some of you planned to “help” and create a “community”. Come on ! What do we pay for ???</blockquote>

May I ask, how long is your membership? If you have a 1-year membership, may I request that you read the original post of Hung again as well as his latest response here, perhaps several times,? Then maybe after doing that you can tell us which of the allegations you stated above are inaccurate?.

I am not kidding you with these — very serious here. And I am also a customer who paid for the services of Joomlart..

When I thought I could not gett anything anymore from Joomlart in early February 2008, I thought I got my money’s worth with the original Teline — the main reason why I joined Joomlart. I happen to like a few more of the Joomlart templates (less than a dozen), although I have not used the others yet. So, what did I do? I joined Gavick Pro, again to get some of their good templates. I paid the equivalent of about US$75 (at least that was what showed in my credit card 40 euro) — for four (4) months membership. I plan to cherry pick templates from different template companies.

I did not participate in the Joomlart Forum from early February to mid May? What’s the point of just telling Joomlart your template sucks? I never have a need for all of the templates of Joomlart — even if I will develop sites

But surprise, surprise. Joomlart came up with Teline II which was the first magazine template created by any Joomla template company – ahead of any other companies. And, I consider Teline II as still the best magazine template among the few that have been created so far.

I happen to be one of those who like Olivine, for certain purposes, although I have no need for it right now because I have Teline II that is using most of my time. I won’t fault your aesthetic taste if you do not like Olivine. 🙂

If you ever read some of my posts, I am a critic of Joomlart when I think they needed to be criticized. But, I do not just stop there, I offer what may be the solutions to the issues I am critical of Joomlart. I criticized because I have the hope that if Joomlart understands what I am trying to convey — they will consider my suggestions. And so far, quite a few of my suggestions have been considered favorably.

As much as possible also, I consider the issue not only from what I get in the process but also its impact on Joomlart. Yeah, I expect a lot from Joomlart, because I hope that we can work together, each of us will benefit.

Cornelio

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1. TomC
2. bossep
3. mj1256

[TomC Moderator TomCJoin date: October 2014Posts: 14077Downloads:58Uploads:137 Thanks: 948 Thanked: 3155 times in 2495 posts]

#266720

<em>@amejat 75047 wrote:</em><blockquote>
And the initial contract was clear and mentioned a certain number of templates accessible before the end of the membership. [/quote]
Really …. Please feel free to post the exact, unaltered excerpt form the membership contract indicating such.

<em>@amejat 75047 wrote:</em><blockquote>So I WANT:
– a prologation of my membership so that it corresponds to the number of templates I paid to have.[/quote]
If you had bothered to read through this thread (which I know you have not), you would see that the changeover will not take effect until September 2009 – that is over a year from now. So stop crying and get to site designing. After all, THAT is why you joined this club – to utilize offered templates to create websites – right?

<em>@amejat 75047 wrote:</em><blockquote> am not kidding and am really serious. I am a CUSTOMER who paid for a service and I WANT the service I paid for and no change in the contract in the middle of my membership. If not, I ask to be reimbursed of the totality of the membership or I plan to sue you for false advertising. [/quote]
What false advertising? – The JA Administration is giving you CLEAR AND CONCISE forewarning about the one-template-per-month changeover – which, again, is not going into effect until September 2009. Therefore, Hung is performing his due diligence in advisement of the JA Community as to the decision for the switch.

<em>@amejat 75047 wrote:</em><blockquote>I can not beleive some of you planned to “help” and create a “community”. Come on ! What do we pay for ???</blockquote>
You pay for access to a template club within which you are provided the privilege of downloading what you felt to be quality templates toward the purpose of creating websites. THAT is exactly what you have received through your membership fee. (And judging by your download activity, you certainly haven’t been shy about it).

<em>@amejat 75047 wrote:</em><blockquote>If not, I ask to be reimbursed of the totality of the membership or I plan to sue you for false advertising. [/quote]
Yah … Good luck with that one.

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1. bossep
2. mj1256

[bossep Friend bossepJoin date: April 2008Posts: 262Downloads:0Uploads:3 Thanks: 50 Thanked: 15 times in 3 posts]

#266732

amajat,
If you don’t want to contribute way do you even post here?
Just go to the download section and get what you paid for.

Bosse

[markb1439 Friend markb1439Join date: August 2008Posts: 124Downloads:0Uploads:1 Thanks: 14 Thanked: 34 times in 11 posts]

#266739

Tom,

Here we go again. Once again you berate and insult people who actually expect to receive the number of templates clearly advertised when they signed up. Legal precedent has established that if terms (such as quantity) are not explicitly stated in a contract, then the advertised quantity prevails. In other words, if someone signs up for something based on an advertised premise, there is a reasonable expectation to get what was advertised.

But the point is not whether these people are right or wrong for feeling this way. The point is that it’s their opinion. It’s how they feel, and they are entitled to feel that way whether you agree or not.

It is reprehensible for you to put people down (for example bombarding them with a “rolling-the-floor-laughing” smiley) just for expressing their feelings.

Your behavior is abusive, and I am sure it prevents free expression of opinion in these forums. Many people probably don’t express themselves because they don’t want to be the brunt of your insults. You should be banned. But, of course, JA wouldn’t ban their number one fanboy, even though they probably don’t realize you are actually doing them a tremendous disservice by being so rude to their clients.

I truly pity you. I can’t imagine going through life with such a combative attitude, feeling the need to belittle anyone who doesn’t agree with your opinion. Spare me the comeback…I’m sure you’ll say how happy and fulfilling your life is, but your words and actions speak otherwise. I truly hope you find the happiness that is clearly, clearly, clearly missing from your life.

Mark

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1. tanisha

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