forum.vdsworld.com

[trapper]

Does anyone have a good method for time-limiting a demo application... say to 30 days? I know I could place an entry in the Registry but that is quite easily overcome. I know nothing will be foolproof but I was looking for some method that's a little more hard to defeat.

Also, does anyone have a system to generate license files or keys for an application? Again, something that's not too easily defeated. LiquidCode did have VDSReg which seemed like it would be ideal but has stated it's not currently available.

Any help would be greatly appreciated... I'm a bit stuck at the moment.

Regards.

[jules]

Some installers create an uninstall file time stamped with the time of installation. You can use that to judge how long the app has been in use for. But someone can always uninstall and then reinstall it.

Hiding a timestamp in a fake CLSID is quite a good method, especially if you don't delete it when you uninstall. Someone will probably only find it if they use a tool like RegMon, and if they do that, they are by definition a cracker and probably not going to buy your program anyway.

Personally I think too much effort is put into trying to defeat those who are looking for ways not to buy, instead of encouraging the honest majority to buy. I think nag screens asking people to register are one of the most effective ways of getting people to buy software, and I receive a steady stream of donations for my Tech-Pro Utilities using this method.

If a dirty great dialog box with a Buy Now button pops up now and again, not often enough to piss the user off but just enough to be an annoyance, they will eventually get the message.

[trapper]

[PGWARE]

I'm thinking Day 25 methodology should be bumped up and used on Day 1 Just imagine seeing that text on a dialog box informing the user 'nicely' to pay up