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[ICQer]

Hi Guys!

I need a solution...

Lets say I sell software. I want to be able to provide a free trial and this trial will automatically expires say after 14 days. Can it be done? How to do it?

Maybe a solution would be to send an instalation kit who will copy the file and install a small program that delete the file after the trial version? Is there a script for it already?

Any input would be appreciated. Anyone who can do this would be better!

 

[Elefekt]

Sure it can be done. You have to add licenses and stuff. Beware that you better do it good or you will have it shared all over the Kazaa network or other sharing systems and you wont get nothing.

 

[ICQer]

Thnx for the advise Elefekt

Sure it can be done.

For any types of files? Are you familiar with .exp files?

 

[jj2ii3344]

I personally embed programming code into the software to set expiration date and to check for it.

 

[ElvinTech]

Originally posted by jj2ii3344
I personally embed programming code into the software to set expiration date and to check for it.

That's what I do too, but be careful how you code it.

The problem is that the system can easily be tricked. For example, when you install the program make it January 1, 2045, then change the clock to today and you now have a license that will not expire for another 42 years. If they haven't bought it by then they're not going to!

Let's say you want a 14 day license - I recommend taking the date they installed it add 7 days and mark it as the midinstall date. The expiration will be 7 days from the midinstall date.

To program it take the date difference between today and the midinstall date. If it is greater than 7, then it has expired.

Then there is only a 14 day window (unless they play with the date every day - then they are just pathetic.) You might want to consider having it run a certain number of times before expiring - so the end-user can take there time deciding.

 

[identity_00]

Just make a full version but limit the options.
Just a thought

 

[ICQer]

Does this "solution" come with a ready script ro must it be fully customized? How much would one have to pay? Nobody familiar with .exp files?

jj2ii3344,

I personally embed programming code into the software to set expiration date and to check for it

Does that mean it doesn't matter what kind of files?

Thanks in advance...

 

[GTech]

I'm a windows programmer. I know this thread is a week old, but...

I do several things with my software. Time trial is one (though I don't do this) and nagware is another. Since I market "plugins" I know that my audience will have to buy a license to use commercially to remove the nagware.

You can surely do a date/time trialware, however, you'll find a crack for your software (if it's any good at all) in no time at all. To protect it, you need to implement anti-debugging/tracing code that will thwart crackers using debuggers to find your trialware check and NOOP it, which means they null the line in your code out that displays the form for registration or trialware.

If you are doing windows programming and by chance, happen to be using Delphi (doesn't sound like it, but I'll offer anyway), I have a plugin source unit you can use that will send a hex editor on a wild goose chase trying to hex your program. It's not fail safe, but one would have to be out of their mind to spend the days/weeks it would take to get past it.

Any Delphi coders here? I also do multimedia development with Macromedia Authorware. Always interested in meeting fellow coders.

 

[ICQer]

Wade

PM sent.

 

[GTech]

Hmm, no love at the PM plaza. Do they take a while to receive? Seems like would be instant. I'll go into the chat room. Haven't sewn any oats in there yet :D See ya there, hopefully.