Latest posts
- How I replaced Baremetrics and ChartMogul with RakeJan 05, 2021
How I used a Rake task to replace Baremetrics and ChartMogul for business analytics.
- How to Implement API Key Authentication in Rails Without DeviseApr 16, 2021
Contrary to popular belief, you don't need Devise to implement API key authentication in a Ruby on Rails app.
- How to Generate Secure License Keys in 2026Jun 02, 2021
Software vendors should move away from legacy license key algorithms such as partial key verification to generating secure license keys using modern algorithms like elliptic-curve and RSA cryptography.
- How to Build a Webhook System in Rails Using SidekiqJun 16, 2021
It's the heyday of SaaS and webhooks are all the rage. Learn how to build a webhook system for your service using Rails and Sidekiq.
- How to License and Distribute a Private Node ModuleAug 04, 2021
Learn how to license and distribute private Node.js packages using Keygen's software licensing and distribution API.
- How to License and Distribute an Electron AppSep 07, 2021
Learn how to license and distribute a commercial Electron app using Keygen's software licensing and distribution API.
- That Time I Told My Wife I Wanted to Quit My JobSep 21, 2021
It was midnight on May 22nd, 2016 that I pushed my first commit to GitHub for a new idea. Little did I know what would happen next.
- From Side-Project to Full-Time: 5 Things I've Learned in 5 YearsSep 28, 2021
I've learned a lot going from a side project to a full-time business. Read on to learn the 5 things that have stuck with me.
- How to Implement TOTP 2FA in Rails using ROTPOct 04, 2021
Learn how to implement OTP second factor authentication in a Ruby on Rails app using the ROTP gem.
- Good SaaS Products Are Like UNIX ToolsNov 12, 2021
Reusable, composable, single responsibility — these are all things good SaaS products have in common with UNIX command line tools.
- How to License and Distribute a Private Docker ImageDec 13, 2021
Learn how to license and distribute commercial Docker images using Keygen's software licensing and distribution API.
- How to License and Distribute a Private Ruby GemDec 16, 2021
Learn how to license and distribute commercial Ruby gems with Keygen's software licensing and distribution API.
- What is a Perpetual Software License?Dec 20, 2021
When faced with the choice of a subscription-based or perpetual license, should businesses prefer one over the other?
- Announcing License Key AuthenticationJan 25, 2022
Introducing a new, even easier way, to authenticate with our software licensing API.
- How to Safely Change the Argument Signature of a Sidekiq JobJan 28, 2022
Learn how to safely change a Sidekiq job's argument signature.
- How to Use Hexadecimal Ed25519 Public Keys in Node.jsJan 28, 2022
Learn how to use hexadecimal Ed25519 keys with Node's crypto module.
- Why Freemium Pricing Is So PopularFeb 07, 2022
Freemium pricing is a business model that has seen a lot of success within startups. But why is that?
- Announcing Cryptographic License FilesApr 04, 2022
Introducing a new, even easier way, to handle offline and air-gapped licensing with Keygen.
- Upgrading Your Keygen API Integration From v1.0 to v1.1Jun 01, 2022
Learn how to safely upgrade your licensing integration from v1.0 to v1.1 of Keygen's API.
- Move Fast and Break Things (Without Breaking Things)Jun 27, 2022
API design is hard. Learn how Keygen handles API versioning, and how we make changes even when that means breaking things.
- How to Bulk Insert Nested Attributes in RailsAug 02, 2022
Learn how to bulk insert nested attributes in Rails, rather than sequentially.
- Announcing Advanced Roles and PermissionsOct 11, 2022
Introducing a new way for enterprises to secure their Keygen integrations.
- All Your Licensing Are Belong To Us^W YouJun 01, 2023
Keygen, a software licensing and distribution API, goes open source.
- That One Time Keygen Went Down for 5 Hours (Twice)Feb 21, 2024
A postmortem of the dashboard and API outage that occurred on February 5th and 6th, 2024.
- Announcing Multi-User LicensesApr 29, 2024
Introducing support for multi-user licenses in our software licensing API.
- Your 14-Day Free Trial Ain't Gonna Cut ItMay 03, 2024
Ramblings about common free trial lengths and time-to-convert.
- Keygen joins the Open Source PledgeSep 09, 2024
Keygen is joining the Open Source Pledge, committing to donate at least $2,000 per-developer annually to support Open Source.
- You can't rely on people being goodOct 01, 2024
On the inherent risks of exploitation in commercial open source.
- Source-available is meaninglessOct 02, 2024
On the multifaceted dishonesty in commercial open source.
- Longevity, or abandonware?Oct 30, 2024
As a customer of an open core product, is the promise of longevity for you, or somebody else?
- Imposter syndromeFeb 07, 2025
On pushing through imposter syndrome and overcoming self-doubt as a founder.
- The outlier paradoxFeb 11, 2025
People seek certainty before they act, but becoming an outlier requires acting without it.
- The lost art of giving a sh*tFeb 19, 2025
The internet is full of companies run by people who simply don't care.