07-31-2006, 08:00 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 349
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Going From Trial To Full: What's the Best Method?
Last week, I touched upon a topic that unraveled into a great discussion regarding the woes of developers and customers alike, when a middleman is involved. Though it's often debatable, software piracy is sometimes regarded as an unfortunate result of high costs (and others will justifiably argue that high costs are a result of software piracy, too). Seen as both a burden and a blessing, the various methods that developers take to get the full product to the legitimate end-user can vary from a simple, full version download or a 5-digit serial number, to a complicated, Internet-enabled, ActiveSync-connected desktop, coupled with multiple, lengthy registration keys full of dashes, case-sensitive alphanumeric characters and symbols that could literally make a rocket scientist's head spin. And, if you switch between multiple devices often like I used to, the process even becomes more tedious.
In the end, what method works best for you? As a customer, have you completely avoided a product simply because of its registration method? Do you feel as if you're not even trusted as a paying customer? As a developer, do you think a stronger (or near-surefire) registration method could result in lower costs due to more purchases and legitimate usage? Do you think your customers would go for it? Your thoughts, please.
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07-31-2006, 08:04 PM
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Sage
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 634
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I don't mind inputting a complicated registration number as long as I can do it via the desktop as opposed to having to tap in said complicated registration number on the device itself.
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07-31-2006, 08:18 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 102
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As a developer, I've found that making the registration code based on the device's "Owner Name" somewhat cumbersome. Sure, it ties the provided reg code to a particular owner name, however, extra steps are required to generate such a reg code and also users who wish to change the Owner name on their device at a later date will need a new reg code.
I personally will accept the fact that there will be some people who will give out their paid reg code to friends to unlock our software on their devices. Having to not base the reg code on the Owner name of the device makes it easier to create and distribute automatically (via Perl scripts on our web site) which gives us a "hands off" method for generating and distributing such codes, and also gives the user "instant gratification" by getting the codes automatically through our delivery system.
ppcinfo
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07-31-2006, 08:22 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 85
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I agree, I don't mind putting in a long code as long as cut/paste works. Spb software installs ask for the key when you start it on the desktop and that works well. If the key needs to be tied to something, I prefer to have it tied to the owner name rather than some random generated ppc serial number. Having it tied to the owner name also gives me a quick and easy answer if somebody wants to pirate my copy. I had to jump through a lot of hoops, including FAXING proof that I upgraded to WM5 and then had to wait for the OCN5 people to give me a new serial number. It was a real pain to do and I was without the $100 software I'd paid for while they decided if I was legit. Really pissed me off and I didn't hesitate for a minute when I found something better.......
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07-31-2006, 08:41 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 211
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Well, I know one of the reasons I tend to shy away from eBooks and most music is the fact that if I want to guarantee my access to them for any length of time, I need to remove the protections. (Barring eReader, but that is different and still if they go out of business at some point, I'm stuck with the last supported device(s) to use their software to read their books.)
MS made this difficult - moving registration keys, only getting to install on 1-2 machines. Seeing that there have been posts of devices spontaneously hard-resetting, that's just not acceptable.
As for entering codes - I'm okay with entering them either way, but long codes should have an input method on the desktop and I really don't care for the codes that must be entered by something designed within the app - just pop up the SIP and let me enter it there. Also - don't hide the code as I'm typing on a PPC device - it's hard enough to guarantee I'm tapping out the correct codes without hiding it, too.
Tying to device name - useful, but as noted earlier - if I want to change that name, I need a new reg-code. Some companies are better about that than others, I imagine. So far it hasn't been a huge issue for me as my owner name has been pretty consistent. If I'd bought a program primarily for my wife and then transferred the PC (and program) to her, that would make it more difficult for me, but it hasn't really come up yet.
I've seen some apps where you download one version that's a trial and a different version for full. Nice, but I prefer the convenience of unlocking a program without needing to uninstall/reinstall when possible.
Ultimately, I'd prefer a reg-key that's not device specific. I think I tried to run one app that asked me for my device key, but was somewhat difficult about giving it to me because I was on WM5 and it was unable to read the correct parameters - an older program, but it could still have been avoided by just having a reg key instead of based on something device-specific.
I kind of agree with drowe's comment - make registration too difficult and you might have me as a customer temporarily, but I'm outta there as soon as something comparable comes along.
Sorry for the long post. Looking forward to reading some of the responses, though.
-Pete
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07-31-2006, 08:58 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 181
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People steal. It is very simple. If you are going to sell a product you have to calculate that as a business expense. I certainly do not think that it is an acceptable practice but it IS reality.
Developers just have to figure out for themselves just how much they are willing to burden their paying customers in order to protect their software from being stolen. If they ask too much customers will move to other software and if they ask too little there will be many software users but few paying customers. I certainly don't want to have a registration code locked to the owner name because I change devices often. Sometimes I have the same piece of software on two of my devices and if registration were tied to the owner name it would create problems for me. Once I pay for something, I expect it to be mine to use as I wish to, as long as I don't start passing it along to others illegally.
I have definitely avoided a product because of the registration issues. In fact, I requested my money back from Handango once, and got it. That was the only time I have ever used their site and I don't want to even give them another chance. They were very nice but it was still a bad experience.
This is pretty similar to the music industry and file swapping networks. I don't want to go out and pay $15-20 for a CD only to find that there are only three good songs out of the fifteen that are on the disc. With software, I hate trying the limited functionality version, or 'full" trial that lasts for only a week, only to find out that the full version ends up crashing my device after a week. If the music industry wants reduce the trading of songs they need to figure out how to let people buy only their good products, without the added trash, so people won't feel cheated at the music store. If software developers want to reduce the piracy of their programs they should feel free to make registration more stringent. However, they MUST show more detail of the software on their websites so people can really understand it and decide whether it is at all worth a trial before downloading. Then, once they do download it, the code can be based upon some type of personal information that is not necessarily tied to the device. This CAN be done and it can definitely work.
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07-31-2006, 08:59 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 171
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Quote:
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As a customer, have you completely avoided a product simply because of its registration method? Do you feel as if you're not even trusted as a paying customer?
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Registration hoops are a major factor for me in both a purchase decision as well as recommending an application to others.
Unfortunately, these hoops may not be visible to purchaser's until after they have paid for the software which normally means there is no recourse after the fact.
If an application requires installation via activesync, it's not a viable app for me unless I absolutely have to use it and there are no other alternatives.
PocketDos is a good example of a "paid for" app that might still be in my toolkit or recommended list were it not so concerned about it's own security.
Among other aspects, historically, strong protection seems to give a good indication of the author's negative view of the purchaser and it has been my (limited) experience that it preceeds a hostile interface as well as a hostile support environment.
I've purchased a fair amount of software since 2000 and am still using some apps purchased when using the Jornada 540, a situation that underscores the fact that if software is tied to a single device, the full price needs to be approached as the right to use it for only a year.
Technically, copy/paste of a strong registration key which is tied to my name (verified against the credit card or other means) is the best compromise... i.e. give it away and I'm advertising myself as a pirate... which I'm not going to do.
Further, I'm not referencing using the "owner name" contained in the PPC, but my name as the purchaser of the software as I feel that I am purchasing the software for my use... i.e. keep the purchaser name with the software, not the device.
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07-31-2006, 09:29 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 92
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registration
I've fortunately never run into anything quite as draconian on my PDA as what you describe, although I will say I get these kinds of headaches on a regular basis in my IT job. I usually make it a point to call the vendor's tech support each and every time I have even a minor problem with that sort of package. I figure if they're willing to make my life difficult with their copy protection and registration measures they had better keep a well-staffed help desk to deal with irate legitimate customers like me. The problem arises when you get both a hideously locked down software package (like Tascam Gigasampler, for example) and a company with poor support (like Tascam). In that case, yes - I purposely avoid buying Tascam products now. The same goes for overboard DRM. I used to be favorably disposed toward Sony products but have been purposely avoiding their products since the recent DRM fiasco with their CDs. I'm not a thief and I resent being treated like one.
In the end, I think copy protection and unreasonable registration schemes end up hurting legitimate users (and thereby vendors) more than pirates.
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07-31-2006, 09:46 PM
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Neophyte
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 2
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As a technical support person, registration is kind of an endless trouble. Here are some of the common issues:
- How do I register?
- I installed the software again, it does/doesn't ask me for the registration code, is that normal?
- I bought the full version, I don't want to install the trial
- Will registering delete my data?
- Will re-installing delete my data? (reinstalling a full version, installing full over a trial)
- My codes don't work (often, the reason is because of either a typo, or the user trying to use the wrong code in the wrong place, or they bought the wrong version of the software)
And, of course, the favorite (which isn't very common): "I need registration codes so I can trial the software." you register it when you buy it, that's what makes it stop being a trial..... 
Here's what I usually like in software in terms of registration;
- A code that's somehow presented in a completely unambiguous way. Whoever decided that O and 0 should look similar needs to be flogged with a noodle or something more fierce
- If it's a PDA I'm registering on, a code that is easily entered is nice - those Windows-style XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX codes aren't so fun on a thumboard or tapped in on the screen....
- internet activation is okay, as long as it's easy to do. If you feel the need to require activation, that's fine. I'm not really going to argue. If you require activation FROM my PDA, well, I don't know how that works out but it probably doesn't work so well
- Unlimited 'regenerations' of codes. I used to use a software synthesizer whose developer only allowed 3 re-sends of codes before you had to... do something. They weren't clear what, but it probably involved money.
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07-31-2006, 09:59 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 450
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Well, I have yet to see a PPC app that requires internet activation.
Edit: nevermind...PDAmill does have an internet activation system.
Anyways, I'm not going to not buy a software just because it has some wicked registration system... but I like when they keep it simple. i.e. SKTools (5 digit regcode), Tweaks2k2.NET(same, though this needs to be restarted after the registration - bad). These two are tied to owner name which are technically bad points but I don't plan to change that so it is okay.... SBSH software has a fair registration mechanism too (tied to email).
That said, I usually don't enter my regcodes until the software expires (except if it is limited in function w/o regcode).
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Linear Mode
