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question about free software trials

by Ian Jackson
6 replies
Just a thought...

When we download a free - say 14 day - trial, we give our name and email. Since most of us probably have at least a couple of different email addresses, what stops us signing for another free trial, using another name/email, once the first one is lapsed? Is it our pc/laptop that's recognised? in which case we could use someone else's machine?
#free #question #software #trials
  • Profile picture of the author mormel
    And wouldn't that be pathetic: you running from one machine to the other, just to avoid paying any costs after your trial period has finished... The makers of the program would have a good laugh at the thought. Which is a payment of sorts.

    Yours, grinningly, Ed
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  • Profile picture of the author pjCheviot
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    Ian

    I am a little stunned by your question - however, the whole point of free trials is to find out for yourself whether the software or whatever is going to be of value to you. If it is - BUY IT - if not - let it go and find something else.

    Trying to find a way round the system is something I am sure you wouldn't even contemplate if ever you had produced such programs yourself!

    Just my thoughts.
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  • Profile picture of the author JamesMcDowell
    Most shareware software will write to your machines registry so even if you try to reinstall it again it wont work. You can however bypass such protection by running the software in a emulator like vmware.

    -James
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    • Profile picture of the author Mike McDowell
      James is right.

      Most of these shareware apps make changes to the Windows Registry that will prevent you from "re-installing" it and running another trial!

      I have run vmware which works, but depending on the app it could cause some other problems.

      I have a separate pc that I use as a "sandbox" specifically for this issue. I can download and play with the shareware app to see if there is a fit for me and my operation needs. Then if the app does fit, I just download and reinstall it on my production/main workstation and start the free trial over.

      This is also nice if there is a longer learning curve with the app. Sometimes the initial free trial period just isn't long enough.

      Don't be affraid to contact the software developer themselves and ask for an additional trial period. Many times I have asked them for an additional month or two and they are happy to oblige.

      Mike
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      • Profile picture of the author radhika
        Is it our pc/laptop that's recognised? in which case we could use someone else's machine?
        Yes. The software notes the PC machine code (not only to registry). And stops further trial offers.

        Why bother installing software on many machines and hassle ourselves? Simply buying it, we can run it on our own PC.

        .
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