Downloads - Free Trial Period vs. Free Trial Uses

[pbhalerao]

Wouldn't it be nice if downloaded trial programs had free trial uses instead of a free trial period? For instance, my office work does not let me allow the trial s/w to be used within the period. I may downlaod and install the s/w today but it may be three or four weeks before I can try it out to the maximum extent. By that time the trial period may have lapsed. Instead if the software had, say 15 uses before it expired, wouldn't it be better?

Let us share some thoughts.

[smearbrick1]

Sure, I'll agree with that. Also, they should make the software fully functional. I hate this crippled software that won't allow you to use the full functionality.

[reboot]

One of my pet peeves! Crippled software that doesn't explain exactly what's crippled when you download.
I wanted to try out a couple of editor/authoring type apps, got through learning enough about it, to actually attempt to compile, only to learn that you can't.
How the hell am I supposed to evaluate the software, if I can't see it's output?
I certainly wouldn't purchase it, if there were an audio sync issue, or something even worse, but I have no way of telling.
Sony, Adobe, and quite a few others are seriously guilty of this crap.
No wonder there's so much warez around.

[smearbrick1]

One of my pet peeves! Crippled software that doesn't explain exactly what's crippled when you download.
I wanted to try out a couple of editor/authoring type apps, got through learning enough about it, to actually attempt to compile, only to learn that you can't.
How the hell am I supposed to evaluate the software, if I can't see it's output?
I certainly wouldn't purchase it, if there were an audio sync issue, or something even worse, but I have no way of telling.
Sony, Adobe, and quite a few others are seriously guilty of this crap.
No wonder there's so much warez around.

Sonic Foundry's Soundforge (now Sony) wouldn't let you save anything you processed! What a pain in the ass! I was trying to find an .iso to .bin converter and happened upon what appeared to a nice piece of software... I can't remember the name... when I went to try the conversion, it would only allow you to convert images smaller than 100mb. I'm sorry, but most .iso images (for CD or even DVD) are much larger than 100mb... I realize that they are trying to get people to buy this stuff, but how am I to evaluate a piece of software completely without full functionality. In the case of soundforge, they don't have to include all the little functions like plugins and full documentation, but damn... I want to at least be able to save so I can listen to the results on a home cd player and not be limited to only listening to sounds on my PC. Of course, I am happy to though that I am a proud owner of several sonic foundry products... soundforge, batch converter, and vegas 4 + dvd architect (love that ac3 plugin) All good stuff...

[Ma_Jie]

There should be a free BIN 2 ISO converter around if you look hard enough. I used to use it all the time back in the late 90s.

If not, PM me, and maybe I can dig it up.

- MJ

[zzyzzx]

Edit.

[reboot]

That would be illegal, and we all know that nobody here would ever think of doing that!

[smearbrick1]

If you don't like it, just download the crack and be done with it.

Shame, shame, everybody knows your name. :D

That would be... umm... wrong and... umm... illegal. I would never do something like that. :wink:

[northcat_8]

That would be illegal, and we all know that nobody here would ever think of doing that!

Yea...what kind of hypocrits do you mistake us for?

[jimmalenko]

I can see the good in a number of free uses, and I fully agree regarding functionality - I believe that the trial should be fully functional so you can fully see what the software's capable of. However, the thought springs to mind that it is probably easier to "abuse" a uses limitation. To make any money at all, it makes better business sense to impose a days limitation IMO.