Methods of tracking remote software installations and registrations and related systems and computer program products

Abstract

Methods of tracking remote software installations at a central server may include receiving an installation message over a network from a user device wherein the installation message indicates, an installation of the software at the user device. After receiving the installation message from the user device, an installation code may be created responsive to receiving the installation message, and the installation code may uniquely identify installation of the software at the user device. The installation code may be transmitted over the network to the user device, and the installation code may be stored at the central server. Related systems and computer program products are also discussed.

That which is claims is: 
     
         1 . A method of installing software at a user device, the method comprising:
 receiving the software at the user device;   storing the software at the user device;   transmitting an installation message over a network to a central server wherein the installation message indicates installation of the software at the user device;   after transmitting the installation message, receiving an installation code from the central server over the network wherein the installation code uniquely identifies installation of the software at the user device; and   storing the installation code at the user device.   
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1  further comprising:
 after storing the installation code in memory at the user device, accepting user input of registration information at the user device; and 
 transmitting the registration information and the installation code over the network to the central server. 
 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 2  wherein the registration information includes a user name for services provided by the central server using the software at the user device. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 2  further comprising:
 organizing digital image files at the user device using the software; and 
 sharing at least one of the digital image files over the network using the software. 
 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 2  further comprising:
 organizing digital image files at the user device using the software; and 
 transmitting a request over the network to print at least one of the digital image files using the software. 
 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein receiving the software includes receiving an acquisition code defining a source of the software, and wherein the installation message includes the acquisition code. 
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein receiving the software includes receiving an affiliate code defining pricing for services provided by the central server for the user device using the software, and wherein the installation message includes the affiliate code. 
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein receiving the software at the user device comprises receiving the software on a physical storage medium at the user device. 
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein receiving the software at the user device comprises receiving the software as a download over the network. 
     
     
         10 . A computer program product for installing software at a user device, the computer program product comprising a computer readable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein, the computer readable program code comprising:
 computer readable program code configured to receive the software at the user device;   computer readable program code configured to store the software at the user device;   computer readable program code configured to transmit an installation message over a network to a central server wherein the installation message indicates installation of the software at the user device;   computer readable program code configured to receive an installation code from the central server over the network after transmitting the installation message, wherein the installation code uniquely identifies installation of the software at the user device; and   computer readable program code configured to store the installation code at the user device.