How to Register a Fixed License

The following instructions apply to Versions 3.5 and above. If you are registering a Version 3.0 product, please contact us. A fixed license is a license for a single computer or for a single user. The license is implemented in a license file that contains a list of the features that are licensed and an identifier for the computer on which the program is licensed. The license file is digitally signed.

In order to generate the license file, we need to know the computer identifier as well as the features that you have purchased. This requires a quick transaction either during the installation process or after you have installed your software.

You can register by the web, email, fax, telephone, or mail. Registering by the web is the fastest method and email is the next fastest. Registering by fax, telephone, or mail takes a little longer.

The registration or activation process is identical for Scientific WorkPlace, Scientific Word, and Scientific Notebook, so these instructions apply to all three products. When an instruction refers to 'your program,' it is referring to the program you are licensing.

Beginning with version 5, the installation program will offer you a chance to register your program. If you do not do it at that time, your program will have viewer capabilities only when you finish installing. You can register the program at any time when you are running it by clicking on the Help menu, and then on the Register menu item. With versions 4.1 and before, you will always have to click on Help/Register to register the program.

Registering using a web service (version 5.0 and above)

  1. Install your software and open the program.
  2. Register your software:
    1. From the Help menu, choose Register, and then choose By an automated web service.
      The program displays a Registration Information form with your Computer ID and your Serial Number already filled in.
    2. Check the information in these two required fields and make any necessary corrections.
    3. If you wish, fill in the remaining fields. If you are part of an academic institution that has an unlimited site license with the home-use option, you must enter your email name so that your license can be sent to you. No information will be send to the licensing server other than the information you type in this form. Then click on OK.
      MacKichan Software has a strict privacy policy. We will not share or sell your information to any other party.
    4. You will see a copy of the End User License Agreement for your program. Click on "I accept this agreement" and click on OK.
    5. If you are not connected to the Internet, connect now. Then click "Register Now". In a few moments you should be told that your activation is complete. You must restart your program to have complete functionality.

Registering using the web (versions 3.5 through 4.1)

  1. Install your software and open the program.
  2. Register your software:
    1. From the Help menu, choose Register, and then choose By the web.
      The program displays a Registration Information form with your Computer ID and your Serial Number already filled in.
    2. Check the information in these two required fields and make any necessary corrections.
    3. If you wish, fill in the remaining fields.
    4. Choose OK to start your web browser and connect to a Registration form.
    5. Change or add any information as necessary and choose Submit to open a web page that contains your license.
      This information isn't required, but if you provide it, MacKichan Software will be better able to keep you informed of updates, patches, and technical support issues. In addition, if you include your email address, we can notify every time your serial number is used to create a license file. This will help protect you against the theft of your serial number.

      MacKichan Software has a strict privacy policy. We will not share or sell your information to any other party.

  3. Install the license file:
    1. Copy the entire license (including the asterisks before and after the information) to the clipboard.
    2. Exit the program and restart it.
      The program should display a message that your license file has been installed and all program functions are available.
  4. If problems occur, check the troubleshooting information information.

Registering by email

  1. Install your software and open the program.
  2. Register your software:
    1. From the Help menu, choose Register, and then choose By email to open the Registration Information form.
    2. Check the Computer ID and Serial Number information and correct it if necessary.
    3. Enter your email address so we can email the license file to you. If you wish, complete the remaining fields.
    4. Choose OK to save the information to a file.
    5. Click the button labeled Click here to send your registration.
      • Depending on your mail program configuration, this might launch your mailer with a file addressed to licensing@mackichan.com and containing your registration information. Check that the message is complete, ending with a line that begins with "Locale." Some mailers truncate the message. If the message is complete, send it. A computer will answer the message with a license file within a few minutes.
      • If you mailer was not launched, or if the test of your registration message was truncated, copy the file (register35.txt or register40.txt in your program directory) into an email message or attach it to a message, and email the message to licensing@mackichan.com. A computer will answer the message with a license file within a few minutes.
  3. Install the license file:
    1. When you receive the reply, copy the entire license (including the asterisks before and after the information) to the clipboard. It is easiest to copy the entire email message.
    2. Exit the program and restart it.
      When the program starts, it checks the clipboard and finds the license information. It should display a message that your license file has been installed and all program functions are available.<
  4. If problems occur, check the troubleshooting information.

Registering by telephone

  1. Install your software and open the program.
  2. Register your software:
    1. From the Help menu, choose Register, and then choose By telephone to open the Registration Information form.
    2. Check the Computer ID and Serial Number information and correct it if necessary. If you wish, complete the remaining information.
    3. Call one of the telephone numbers on the form or the telephone number included with the program by your reseller. The person answering the call will give you a 12-digit unlock code. If you are also installing an additional spell-checking dictionary, be sure to ask for an additional unlock code.
  3. Install the unlock code:
    1. Enter the code and the expiration date of the software, if there is one. Also enter any additional unlock codes required for extra dictionaries and computational engines.
    2. Choose Save your license file.
    3. Exit the program and restart it.
      The program should display a message that your license file has been installed and all program functions are available.
  4. If problems occur, check the troubleshooting information.

Registering by fax

If you have an email account or web access, we encourage you to use one of those methods to register your software. It will be faster. Otherwise, follow these instructions to register by fax.

  1. Install your software and open the program.
  2. Register your software:
    1. From the Help menu, choose Register, and then choose By fax.
      The program displays a Registration Information form with your Computer ID and your Serial Number already filled in.
    2. Check the information in these two required fields and make any necessary corrections.
    3. Enter your fax number so we can fax the license information to you. If you wish, fill in the remaining fields.
    4. Choose OK to save the information to a file.
    5. Print the file (register35.txt or register40.txt in your program directory) and fax it to the number that appears in the file. A person will answer the message during regular business hours and will send you an unlock code by return fax.
  3. Install the license file:
    1. When you receive the reply, start the program if it isn't already running.
    2. From the Help menu, choose Register, and choose I already have an unlock code and want to enter it.
    3. When the program displays a form, enter the unlock code and, possibly, the expiration date of the software. If you have licensed additional spelling dictionaries or an additional computational engine, enter that information as instructed in your return fax.
    4. Choose Save your license file.
    5. Exit the program and restart it.
      The program should display a message that your license file has been installed and all program functions are available.
  4. If problems occur, check the troubleshooting information.

Registering by mail

Registering by mail is identical to registering by fax, except that the transactions are by mail instead of by fax. The process takes considerably longer.

If problems occur, check the troubleshooting information.


MacKichan Software, Inc. • 19307 8th Avenue, Suite C • Poulsbo, WA 98370-7370
Phone: 360-394-6033 • Toll-free: 877-724-9673 • Fax: 360-394-6039

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