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.NET 2.0/3.0 and Vista Update Information

Desaware maintains an ongoing upgrade program for active products to the latest framework and operating system versions.

General Notes Regarding .NET 3.0

It is important to realize that .NET 3.0 is NOT a new version of the .NET framework. Rather, it consists of the current .NET 2.0 framework along with a number of new technologies (WCF, WPF, Cardspace, etc.). As such, components and software that does not use these new subsystems need not be rebuilt for .NET 3.0. Unlike the .NET 1.1 and 2.0 frameworks, where Desaware shipped distinct components built on each platform, we will not ship 3.0 specific components unless we implement 3.0 specific functionality.

General Notes Regarding Windows Vista

We are now shipping software that is compatible with Windows Vista. Some Desaware products (SpyWorks, NT Service Toolkit for example) consist of frameworks or low level components. It is important to realize that while our framework or component may be Vista compatible, it's very possible that the application you have build using these tools will have compatibility issues with Vista. It is therefore essential that you test your application for compatibility.

In addition, because of synchronization issues between the Vista release and Microsoft's development tools, we do not recommend development of software using Vista at this time (both with our products and in general).

Here is a summary of our current update status:

Desaware Licensing System

The .NET 2.0 and Vista client and server components are now available. Updates to the 2.0 components and the latest update to the 1.1 components are available to all current owners at no charge (this is called the 1.3 release of the Desaware Licensing System). Download the latest install package here (note, the demo contains the complete package - the only difference between a demo and full functional system is that a fully system has been activated using a valid license key).

We recommend updating to the 1.3 version client component before deploying applications on Vista.

All versions of the client licensing component will be supported with the 2.0 and the latest 1.1 licensing server - so your existing and future applications will continue to work correctly with licensing servers running on both the 1.1 and 2.0 framework.

We are discontinuing support on the .NET 1.0 server. We believe very few if any servers are running .NET 1.0 at this time, and the server upgrade to .NET 1.1 is simple both from a system point of view and in terms of updating the licensing server.

SpyWorks 8

SpyWorks 8 is now shipping and is recommended for use on all current and future applications. This product is included in Universal 2006 and components are supported for both .NET 2.0 and Vista. Not all of the developer tools are supported on Vista (particularly the COM tools).

Universal .NET 2006

We are now shipping Universal .NET 2006. This version includes .NET 2.0 and Vista support for SpyWorks 8, NT Service Toolkit, StateCoder and OneTimeDownload. StorageTools is unchanged but remains largely compatible with .NET 2.0 and Vista (See product FAQ for further details). Archived versions of LineGraph and INIFileTool have not been migrated but do work on both platforms.

Universal COM 2006

We haven't forgetten our COM customers. Even though there are (obviously) no updates for .NET 2.0, Universal COM 2006 includes SpyWorks 8, which has a completely new set of subclass/hook components with major enhancements. Except for SpyWorks 8, the NT Service Toolkit and StorageTools we do not support Vista for the Universal COM suite. Support for Vista focuses on components on runtime mode - not all developer tools will be supported on Vista. Keep in mind that some Vista changes will make existing functions impossible to replicate - refer to FAQ's for individual products for more specifics.

Older Versions

Older versions of the software and legacy 16 bit components will not be supported under Vista. UI features of the dwEasy??? control will not be supported under Vista.

EBook Updates

Dan Appleman is in the process of gradually upgrading his .NET eBooks to the .NET 2.0 framework as well. Currently available are:

• Visual Basic .NET or C#: Which to Choose - Update based on the final release of VS 2005 and .NET 2.0 is now available.
• Obfuscating .NET: Protecting your code from prying eyes - The final .NET 2.0 update of the eBook, along with the Desaware QND Obfuscator, are now available.