Digital Workshop

Hi all relatively new to this - using Opus 6

I need to create a menu that can have links to multiple courses (thats the easy bit - I can do)

but I need to have an activation system, so when a student pays they can put in a uniquie number or password and it opens then new or next level of a course - can this be done

I am using a biometric USB to deliver distance learning so would like to have multiple course contained on the USB but only active when the student has paid for that particular course

can anyone assist, also I am not a coder

regards

mike

OK, I hope I have the right idea here....

From what I can gather, you want to create a single publication, that has multiple course options or "zones" within it.

May I sugggest the following...

1: Draw yourself an actual "flowchart" of what you want to do - actually map it out on paper if that helps.

2: as you look along each "link" that takes you to your next level, here is where you need to put your password option. ( sort of like standing at the front door - and about to use your doorkey. )

As an example, try this....
For example you might have a single course in 3 levels...for each "seperate level" you will need a seperate password - not just the one you used to start the course itself - but a NEW one.

For every level above that, just place another password option at the end of that level to allow entry to the next.

To do this, - may I suggest you have a set of variables ( pre-defined ) containing one password per variable.(in other words one password per level ) - and make them a publication variable.

Next, each time the publicaion loads - make it load the predefined variables stored within the publication into the publications "memory".

When a password is typed in...the publication will got to the pre-defined variable or ( passsword) you made and will compare it.....if its the same, you will be granted access to the next level.

Nice thing about using this method is that a password that allowed you access to the level below - simply cant be used again for a higher level...you had to have earned that level by using the password MENT for the current level your on.

Hope this helps...

Rick thanks for the reply - you sort of have it - the problem is each training course needs to have different passwords otherwise students will just share them around - here is the thought ...

level 1 = student pays = gets a PW and does the course

if the student pays for level 2 then they get the password for Level 2

and so on

however the same course might be deivered to several hundered or several thousand students - so I need to have different PW's for each level (as you suggested) but different for each course CD DVD or whatever

thanks again - I notice you are in Sydney I am also in Sydney maybe we could discuss this by phone or over coffee cheers mike

You need to tie the password to a unique identifier. for example, the USB might have a unique disk ID that could be used - This would need to be done with a 3rd party DLL.

Opus has a built in unique ID, but this is locked to a windows installation.

Mack

I believe Mack is right... You will need to tie the password to a unique identifier - and the the USB could indeed have a unique disk ID that could be used.

As for how to incorporate this into your project - ( believe me when I say this...) Mack knows a universe worth of stuff more than I do...

All I could offer as another suggestion, is that you might try a remote activation option.

For example, when the student has purchased his USB let him plug it into his system, and log onto a website. the student will enter a code of some type ( that will I.D that particular USB by the password that came with it.)

When the student enters the code ( providing the code is the Genuine article ) the website will UP-DATE ( in otherwords un-lock ) the USB by remote and report that the unique " key" has been used - and belongs to "...... [ whoever]....and that remote activation number cannot be used again.

This method has some advantages...

1: the student entering the initial ID he got with is ORIGINAL USB will have a record of being used ( and is LOGGED ) - so ANY duplicates made by other students will be USELESS if they try to go to your website and ALSO remote activate because the number has already been used and ACTIVATED previously. ( checked by a database to be kept on your website )

2: Using this method would ensure that if there IS a problem, you can keep track of WHO the ORIGINAL OWNER is and so if there is a problem and a NEW key is required...providing they can varify their identity they simply send the USB BACK...and you can issue them a NEW one.

3: Single use remote activation ALSO has the advantage that no "code" is seen, thus nothing can be recorded by the student to pass on to his "friends".

4: If you make sure that every time the student "saves " his work, its saved to some external place ( other than the USB itself ) - then if they DO have to recieve a replacment USB at any time, they will NOT have lost their data, because the data would be read from this external source every time the program runs. - so a replacement USB would cause them no problems at all and no inconvenience because they would not have lost their "place" within the publication.

As for Coffee and a chat? - sure, just drop me a line and well arrange it.

Hope this helps mate - its the only other suggestion I could think of - but Mack's idea is pretty damned good. - just way over my head... lol! - but I have to admit, hes a regular Genius with Opus.

Cheers mate!