[DonHopkins]

Starting in 1992, DUX Software sold the version of SimCity online that I developed for HyperLook/NeWS/SunOS/Solaris (and then later a multi player version of SimCity for TCL/Tk/X11/various versions of Unix), by distributing a fully functional unlockable demo via FTP, so customers could download it over the internet, play the demo for a while (then the demo melted your city after a few minutes), decide to buy it, then call up (or fax) and read their serial number and credit card number over the phone, and immediately receive a key to unlock the full version of the game.

I got flamed by people who didn't approve of us using the internet for commercial purposes, but they hadn't gotten the memo about how that old rule was now obsolete, since the internet was not longer strictly a military / academic project, so I ignored them.

https://groups.google.com/g/fj.mail-lists.x-window/c/TopRfOj...

    If you don't have a key, SimCity will run in demo mode.
    Run the 'GetKey' script or select 'Get Key...' from
    SimCity's 'File' menu to get a key.

    Now that you have installed SimCity, you can run the "GetKey" shell
    script to get a license key from DUX software, or run "SimCity" in
    demo mode without getting a key. In demo mode, your city will melt
    after 5 minutes, or when you try to save it to disk, so buy a license,
    it's cheap! When you buy a license, DUX will ship you the latest
    version of the software, a nice 100 page manual with lots of nifty
    illustrations, and a handy reference card. And when you're ordering,
    don't forget to ask how to embezzle funds!

    % GetKey
    To get a key for SimCity, contact DUX Software at:

    DUX Software
    4906 El Camino Real
    Suite 1
    Los Altos, CA 94022
    Phone #: [phone]
    or 1-415-967-1500
    FAX #: [phone]

    and give them your server code.

    Your server code is: 1234 5678 9012 3456
    Please enter your key: 9876 5432 1098 7654<return>

    Feature name: 16 [16]
    Number of licenses: 1

    Key successfully installed.
    % SimCity
    Got a license!

    Now you're playing SimCity! An introduction window will pop up while
    the rest of the system loads. Then the startup screen will appear.
    Point the cursor at the controls and pictures and press the "Help" key
    (usually at the lower left corner of the keyboard) to learn how to use
    the user interface!

https://groups.google.com/g/comp.newprod/c/5KWv25ckYHc/m/MgG...

    AVAILABILITY:
    Multi Player SimCity is available directly from DUX Software, and
    via anonymous ftp from ftp.uu.net (192.48.96.9), in the directory
    "vendor/dux/SimCity". You may freely copy it, and play the fully
    functional game in "demo mode" on one display without a license, but the
    city melts every 5 minutes. If you enjoy SimCity, you can buy a license
    over the phone by credit card, without leaving your seat! A single
    player license lets you save and restore your cities, and play for as
    long as you like on one display; a multi player license lets you play
    SimCity with your friends over the net!

    PRICING:
    Single Player Node Locked License: $49
    Multi Player Node Locked License: $89
    Single Player Floating License: $129
    Multi Player Floating License: $149

    PLEASE CONTACT:
    DUX Software, 4906 El Camino Real, Suite 1, Los Altos, CA 94022
    Phone #: [phone] or 1-415-967-1500, FAX #: [phone]
    Email: [e-mail]

https://www.donhopkins.com/home/catalog/simcity/simcity-anno...

https://www.donhopkins.com/home/catalog/simcity/simcity-revi...

>Dux did an excellent job porting Simcity to UNIX. There is little inconsistency between the UNIX version and the PC and Macintosh version. The graphics are fantastic, and the sound effects -- including a ship's whistle -- are realistic. After installing the program, be sure to get the license key. Without it, the computer lets you play awhile, but then destroys your city without warning. [...]

>Simcity for Sun workstations has some added features not available on other platforms. Dux ported Simcity to Unix using Hyperlook from the Turing Institute Ltd. (Glasgow, Scotland), and added a Postscript drawing tool. The tool lets you create simple drawings, and import them into other products such as Framemaker from Frame Technology Corp.

>Simcity also has pie menus, or wheels with a tool on each spoke, for quick access to construction tools. Another nifty feature is zoom windows, which let you choose whether to display more detail or more area in a selected window. With the large monitors common on SPARCstations, zoom windows make it easier to track events in the city. Large monitors also let you open and view many windows simultaneously, which lets you gain easier access to information such as population growth rates and pollution problems. According to Dux, its networked multiuser version, which includes support for audio conferencing, was slated for release by April.