Activ E-Book and HYPrLock Work with Vista

With the introduction of the Vista Operating System, Microsoft dramatically changed its security model for protecting users from malicious code. One aspect of this security is that users will now need to authorize every program each time it is run. In addition, to prevent background operations, each program will drop from user control before starting. In many instances this security will prevent many programs, such as eBooks and shareware from registering password authorization.

I found that most programs written for earlier versions of Windows will also work in Vista, but some specialty programs, programs that need Hard Drive access, require password entry or many older programs might run poorly or not at all. If a program doesn't run correctly in Vista, you can use the Program Compatibility Wizard to change the compatibility settings for the program.

Activ E-Book, HYPrLock, and eBooks that use those systems will need to use the Program Compatibility Wizard to run properly. I have added a web page explaining how to use the Wizard at http://hyprlock.com/hyperlock/Vista.htm

I have also updated HYPrLock to v4,2 so it works better with Vista. A copy of the software can be downloaded from the HYPrLock web site at http://hyprlock.com Upgrades are always free.

Does this mean that a USER of an eBook made with AEC including HYPrLock will have to fiddle with Vista security settings in order to run the book?

Or is this something that I as the creator can set up so that everything runs smoothly?

Please advice!

Unfortunately, every Vista USER will have to get used to Microsoft's new security model called the "User Account Control" or UAC. Every program that runs on a Vista Operating System will require the users explicit approval to run. There is nothing programmers or eBook authors can do to bypass these security measures.

Also, programs that install or authenticate passwords require approval for every access to the computer system as well. This not only affects AEC and HYPrLock but it applies to every other eBook compiler and shareware program that wants to run in Vista.

No one really knows what the full impact is going to be on users at large because most Vista systems are only being installed on new machines. It will take some time before the Vista security system starts to affect large numbers of users.

There are ways to turn off the (UAC) system, including a registry hack, but not many Vista users will feel comfortable doing this. In general, Vista users that get frustrated at the constant need to work their way through multiple approval screens will find the solution I've added to my web site a real benefit. In many cases that would require multiple approvals, this "Pre Authorization" routine raises the user's security level so that only one initial approval is required to run a program.

When dealing with Vista there is no "fix". I'm afraid it's going to be like "Death and Taxes" we'll just have to get used to it.