Trial Software Limitations

[JoeMoon]

Is it just me, or do some of you find yourself baffled by trial software?

Don't get me wrong, I love the idea. But I have been anxious to spend my $50 gift certicate from my Lexus test drive and have been sampling a bunch of software to see what is worthy of the $50.

In that process, I feel like I have stumbled into a land of poorly written 'B' rated software. I reported one issue to the developer and they responded with, "No, that is not a bug... It is intentional. It is a limitation of the trial version"

Well, how do you expect me to "try" the software when it loses data? And what about those who never write to the company to find out about this "undocumented" feature?

Another piece of software I have tried only allows 4 graphic files to be viewed. Seems ok, I guess. Except when you are comparing it against another application and the other application provides FULL usage for 15 days.

I guess what I am saying is that it would be nice if all developers considered a standard trial period, without application limitations. Software limitations are not true representations of the software's abilities, nor does it allow the potential customer to make a fair assesment of the applications usefulness and functionality.

So, again I ask, "Is it just me, or do you find yourself scratching your head while sampling the software and it behaves strangely?"

Joe...

[Jacob]

Well, if you have to scratch your head and wonder why it happens, then it's poorly designed eval limitations.

They should have the limitations clearly stated on their webpage and when you run into them.

If I lost data from a limitation of the evaluation I would be much less likely to purchase the full product.

[Pony99CA]

I reported one issue to the developer and they responded with, "No, that is not a bug... It is intentional. It is a limitation of the trial version"

Well, how do you expect me to "try" the software when it loses data? And what about those who never write to the company to find out about this "undocumented" feature?

How does it "lose data"? If you mean that it won't save changes, that's a common limitation in trial software.

I guess what I am saying is that it would be nice if all developers considered a standard trial period, without application limitations. Software limitations are not true representations of the software's abilities, nor does it allow the potential customer to make a fair assesment of the applications usefulness and functionality.

Limiting the functions prevents people who only need the software for a little while from downloading it, using it and not paying for it. There are cases where this could be done, and that's why it doesn't make sense to standardize on having fully-functional, time-limited trials.

For example, the author of registry hacking tool Tweaks2K2 (http://www.pc-counselor.8m.com/downloads.htm) provides a fully-functional, time-limited trial. He believes users download it, tweak the registry, then don't pay for it. Why would they need to? Unless you hard reset, you probably won't have to make those changes again.

Another issue is how would anybody standardize this? Do you seriously think every one-person shop in the world would go along with this? I suppose some company like Handango or PocketGear could refuse to offer software that didn't meet the "standard", but why would they want to cut down on their potential income?

Look at it this way -- you're playing with house money here. If you spend the $50 and get a bad piece of software, it's not like you've lost anything you had before. If this is the biggest issue you have going on, you're in pretty good shape. :-)

Steve

[rhmorrison]

For example, the author of registry hacking tool Tweaks2K2 (http://www.pc-counselor.8m.com/downloads.htm) provides a fully-functional, time-limited trial. He believes users download it, tweak the registry, then don't pay for it. Why would they need to?
I have to disagree with this for two reasons:
Why would ANYONE download his limited SHAREWARE when you can download the excellent FREEWARE PHM Registry Editor (http://www.phm.lu/products/PocketPC/RegEdit/) that can do much more assuming you know the proper Registry Tweaks (http://www.phm.lu/PocketPC/RegTweaks/) to make. Most TOOLS are needed over and over again although I can see your point of a ONE TIME use but then WHY would anyone buy something for a ONE TIME use when there are FREEWARE tools that fulfill the same function?I also have to express my displeasure at function limited trial software. The idea of such a system is to allow the potential customer to determine if the program does what he wants or not. This is impossible to do if critical functions are disabled. Nevertheless I can understand why many software authors/companies use this particular method.

[Pony99CA]

For example, the author of registry hacking tool Tweaks2K2 (http://www.pc-counselor.8m.com/downloads.htm) provides a fully-functional, time-limited trial. He believes users download it, tweak the registry, then don't pay for it. Why would they need to?
I have to disagree with this for two reasons:
Why would ANYONE download his limited SHAREWARE when you can download the excellent FREEWARE PHM Registry Editor (http://www.phm.lu/products/PocketPC/RegEdit/) that can do much more assuming you know the proper Registry Tweaks (http://www.phm.lu/PocketPC/RegTweaks/) to make.
Most TOOLS are needed over and over again although I can see your point of a ONE TIME use but then WHY would anyone buy something for a ONE TIME use when there are FREEWARE tools that fulfill the same function?

That's the point -- nobody would buy something for a one-time use if they could get it for free.

As for why somebody would buy Tweaks2K2, there are many reasons:

Somebody isn't comfortable working in the registry.
Somebody prefers the ease-of-use of making changes like this. Yes, you can get RegKing (http://www.cewindows.net/applications/regking.htm), but see point #4.
You don't have to remember what registry keys to change, where they are, etc.
There are changes that nobody else has documented. Philippe's list that you cited has 29 tweaks. RegKing has 17. Tweaks2K2 has 49. For example, show me how to change the start and end time of the working day. Tweaks2K2 can supposedly do it.

I also have to express my displeasure at function limited trial software. The idea of such a system is to allow the potential customer to determine if the program does what he wants or not. This is impossible to do if critical functions are disabled. Nevertheless I can understand why many software authors/companies use this particular method.
Limited trials are better than nothing. Try getting a limited trial of any Microsoft product. :-)

If you don't like it, don't buy it and send the developer a note telling him why you won't buy it.

Steve

[Rob Alexander]

For me, it depends on whether or not I can really test the software. If it's crippled in a way that keeps me from trying it out the way that I'll actually use it, then I generally don't buy it. And it turns out I almost never end up buying crippled products, but I very often buy time-limited fully functional products. It's not a 'rule' for me or anything; just that I don't buy PPC software unless I know for sure what I'm getting. It's up to the author to provide me with a trial that allows me to be sure it does what I need or s/he won't see my money.

And I second Steve's comment. I almost always send a developer a note to let them know why I didn't buy their software if I don't. I recently had a small desktop application that I tried and didn't buy because it lacked one feature that I really needed. I wrote and told them that, and the author said he'd consider it. Three weeks later I received an email about a new version that included my feature. You can't ask for better than that. If I hadn't written, I'd have just walked away and I'd be living without a very useful little application.

[JoeMoon]

How does it "lose data"? If you mean that it won't save changes, that's a common limitation in trial software.

Without stating the software, I built a list and started playing around with the data. I exited the program and came back to it later to continue my experiments. The lists were shortened - In other words, DATA WAS MISSING.


Limiting the functions prevents people who only need the software for a little while from downloading it, using it and not paying for it. There are cases where this could be done, and that's why it doesn't make sense to standardize on having fully-functional, time-limited trials.

...He believes users download it, tweak the registry, then don't pay for it...

Another issue is how would anybody standardize this? Do you seriously think every one-person shop in the world would go along with this? I suppose some company like Handango or PocketGear could refuse to offer software that didn't meet the "standard", but why would they want to cut down on their potential income?

Look at it this way -- you're playing with house money here. If you spend the $50 and get a bad piece of software, it's not like you've lost anything you had before. If this is the biggest issue you have going on, you're in pretty good shape. :-)

Steve

First off, the whole purpose of a TRIAL is to see if the software works for YOU! If you, as a developer don't want people to see if the application will work for them, then cripple the damn thing. You and the user will never know if your software is really a functional application because you also crippled your sales ability. If you are worried about Joe User who only needs the application for a one time use... Well, as a developer myself, I would rather have them use my application for that one time use than someone else's. The reason is that they are more likely return to a good experience, than they would to a bad one.

Second, I don't know how much money you earn... But for some of us $50 is a bit of change. Please don't insult anyone on stating that $50 is pocket change and should not be looked at with respect. Besides, all we are saying is that we want to make the best decision on how we spend our money. It is like going to buy a car and the salesman says, "Hey, you can only sit it and rev the engine. We crippled it so people can't go for a joy ride in it." Would you buy the car without testing it's handling abilities? I doubt it! (And before you go off and say a car costs $10,000 times as much - remember, it is an analogy!)

Thirdly, I am not asking for a "INDUSTRY STANDARD". I am just providing a forum for some end users to share their thoughts on trial versions to software developers. I know as a devleoper you want to protect your investment. But I also happen to be a sales and marketing guy, and you MUST give the end user the best chance and experience with your application to cause him to desire it, like it and BUY IT!

Joe...

[JoeMoon]

Limited trials are better than nothing. Try getting a limited trial of any Microsoft product. :-)

Steve

Yes, you can get 30 - 60 day trials of Microsoft products from their web site. So far, I spent more money on Microsoft products because of the trials than I would if I had read the back of a box.

Joe...

[Pony99CA]

First off, the whole purpose of a TRIAL is to see if the software works for YOU! If you, as a developer don't want people to see if the application will work for them, then cripple the damn thing. You and the user will never know if your software is really a functional application because you also crippled your sales ability.

That all depends on how the software is crippled. For example, if the Save function is disabled, is it really too difficult to figure out what it does? Unless they're using some non-standard save and open dialogs, I don't think so.

Second, I don't know how much money you earn... But for some of us $50 is a bit of change. Please don't insult anyone on stating that $50 is pocket change and should not be looked at with respect.

Please go back and reread what I wrote. I never said that $50 was a trifling amount. I said that you were playing with "house money".

In case you don't know what that means, it's a gambling term. If you're winning, the money you're gambling with originally belonged to the casino -- the "house". Because you didn't have that money when you started, it's not such a big deal if you end up losing it all back.

The money you got from test driving the Lexus was like house money. You got it for doing very little.That's all I meant. It wouldn't matter if you got one dollar or a million dollars; if you lost it, you'd still have what you started with (except for the time taken for the test drive). If that's somehow insulting, I don't see it.

Consider this an opportunity to buy something you might not have bought otherwise, something you don't need on your Pocket PC but have been curious about. As I said, if the program ends up not doing what you wanted, you haven't really lost anything.

Steve

[ctitanic]

As for why somebody would buy Tweaks2K2, there are many reasons:

Somebody isn't comfortable working in the registry.
Somebody prefers the ease-of-use of making changes like this. Yes, you can get RegKing (http://www.cewindows.net/applications/regking.htm), but see point #4.
You don't have to remember what registry keys to change, where they are, etc.
There are changes that nobody else has documented. Philippe's list that you cited has 29 tweaks. RegKing has 17. Tweaks2K2 has 49. For example, show me how to change the start and end time of the working day. Tweaks2K2 can supposedly do it.


I would add that comercial software are updated often than freeware, and they have better TechSupport than freeware. :wink:

BTW, now Tweaks2k2 has 70 registry hacks ;)

[jmkeuning]

so is $50 a lot of money for someone who is out test-driving a Lexus?

Seriously, if you want to know why a company would hobble their trial software just go to any of the warez newsgroups. Developers have to come up with more and more complex methods of protecting their stuff because people are stealing it like crazy. I know it sucks but they have to do it. I would.

[Imageman]

$50 bucks is $50 bucks dude.

[sracer]

First off, the whole purpose of a TRIAL is to see if the software works for YOU! If you, as a developer don't want people to see if the application will work for them, then cripple the damn thing. You and the user will never know if your software is really a functional application because you also crippled your sales ability. If you are worried about Joe User who only needs the application for a one time use... Well, as a developer myself, I would rather have them use my application for that one time use than someone else's. The reason is that they are more likely return to a good experience, than they would to a bad one.

There are "demo" versions of software who's only difference is that it appends the text "(Demo)" to the user's name when it is displayed. A handful of people claim that they will not buy the product because the demo isn't EXACTLY the same as the retail product... they'd rather have a time-limited trial.

It is quite obvious that the intent behind the "need" to have time-limited trial is simply to get the full product without paying for it. To say that the display of the text "(Demo)" prevents someone from accurately trying out the software is absurd.

We simply have to look at the hacking, cracking, and patching that has been going on to get around TodayPlus' time limit to see to what lengths people will go to to circumvent time-limits.