Does anyone else have a problem with items being promoted as 'give-aways' when so often what's offered is no more than a limited free trial, which can be freely downloaded elsewhere anyway?
Free! O-RLY?
(15 posts) (10 voices)-
Whiterabbit-uk
Games GuruI've only ever had problems with a few giveaways and on checking the forums, several others have had the same problem; but it’s been the fault of a different activation process usually. Now I always check the help menu to see if it's been registered (not that it always helps). I don't think the giveaway owners would knowingly giveaway programs that were not full versions. If they did it would damage the reputation they have, which in turn would damage the revenue they get for using the project as a carrier for cash earning posts. (If you don't understand what I'm implying there just check the tags on any post that’s made in the forums. That's if a tag is added. Once even one tag is added you'll find a load of unrelated tags appear in the related tags section, that are part of the earning power this site generates for the owners.
There was one exception to the usual full versions, where a particular developer purportedly was going to give us a registration code for a program (forgotten the name of it now), but we had to send our Email address to them so that they could Email it to us. No one ever got a reply to that.
I would always check the status of any program you've installed to ensure that it's been installed, so that if it says unregistered, you can repeat the registration process before the giveaway finishes If you're getting several programs that are not registered it was probably your fault. Check back to the comments section to see if anyone else has posted about it not being registered. If you find none, it would support the theory that it's your own fault. (I don't mean to sound funny over that issue)
Posted 16 years ago # -
Well said Rabbit. I agree that it wouldn't make much sense for the owner's of GOTD to knowingly supply us with trials instead of full copies. That is the whole reason for this site. Wouldn't be much of a site if it only offered free trials.
Posted 16 years ago # -
Whiterabbit-uk
Games GuruYes I agree Archangel, but the query was worded in a sarcastic way and imo was casting doubt on the giveaway teams motives. Jonler said:
"when so often what's offered is no more than a limited free trial, which can be freely downloaded elsewhere anyway?"
The above implies that we're always getting demos; which just isn't true (Well, actually we get demos every day, but they always come with some kind of activation, whether it be a activation code or by the self running activation key). Either way, Jongler was wrong in what he/she said. . Someone coming here for the first time may just take that statement as gospel and not bother coming here again. Yeah I know that that is an extremely unlikely thing to happen, but it could. I wasn't being(or meaning to be sarcastic in return and I was trying to answer Jonglers question in as polite a manner as is possible.(maybe we've all got the wrong end of the stick lol)
Regards
Whiterabbit
Posted 16 years ago # -
Archangel
MemberI didn't take it that you were being sarcastic Whiterabbit. When I read jongler post I took it that they were "Frustrated" maybe. But on the other hand jongler asked for others like him/her to post instead of asking for help or "Whats Up?".
If I came here and just downloaded software and didn't follow the readme thats included and it didn't get registered, then I'd have the same thing offered from other shareware sites. Thats where I thought jongler may be coming from.
No big deal either way because people that do visit this site like it (games and software for free!)and if they find the forum and join then they have all of us! LOL
Best Wishes
Archangel
Posted 16 years ago # -
Anonymous
Unregisteredjongler
Does anyone else have a problem with items being promoted as 'give-aways' when so often what's offered is no more than a limited free trial, which can be freely downloaded elsewhere anyway?
No, as I have some lifetime licences from this site.
I also have some software that was released as version 1.0 and a year nearly on is still version 1.0 as it was well written.I have 3 items I could never afford in my current position, but, they were offered
here for free and I still have them installed.Some items I would never need nor use, some items I install to try then remove and 5 others are still installed nearly two years on.
I will also mention a few items I got from here, got updated and still work on old registration keys, atomic alarm clock to name one.
I have also out of respect purchased a full licence from some products so I can get updates when needed.
Make what you like out of my opinion I still say this site is a win-win for everyone.
Posted 16 years ago # -
The only time I can remember getting a demo version is when I have forgotten to "untick" the 'launch now' option during the install process. I then just uninstall and then reinstall the software and I get the full version.
I too have software that I downloaded from this site that is still on my computer from over a year ago. That would not be possible if I was given 'demo' versions.
Posted 16 years ago # -
I have only had one that I couldnt get it to activate and it was quite recent. I believe it was one of the apex give aways, but I am not sure. I think it was because I run Vista 64bit and the program wouldn't install properly.
I found that the times that it didn't activate properly was when I didn't follow the directions to the T. Be sure on the ones that it says to activate after the install to not open the program first. Always uncheck the open program or run program after finish button. That way the program never launches, then run the activate.
Like rabbit said, always check to make sure that it registered.
___________________________________________________________________________________I agree this site is great. I have tried programs that I would have never have bought or bothered with a trial. A month is not a very long time to test a program. I have even purchased a program from one company after trying a different one of their products here.
______________________________________________________________________hotdoge3, are saying to burn a back up disc of of the program and you can keep forever.
I never thought of that. I assumed it would revert to a demo. Nice, I'll have to test it. Some programs I don't bother with, but would like to have. That would let me keep it till I needed it. I have done complete pc restores and they always worked, I guess thats the same thing.Posted 16 years ago # -
ibwebb
MemberIf I am reading things here correctly.. I think that what Jonger or others may not think about in these things is that there is NO promise of an update on the things given here. It is VERY clearly said in each 'read me' that you are being given the version said and that updates and later versions are not guaranteed. I too have had some that I had forgotten were from here and updated only to lose what I had. Also, I have done that and been surprised to have an updated version. I think that there are a lot of people that either 'assume' or glance at the read me and not see that part. Hope everything gets straightened out for them.
BTW.. my two cents about all of it: I love this place and think that GOTD and those that take their personal time (WhiteRabbit, Wizz, etc) are a Goddess send. They deserve more thanks and less hassle.
ibwebb
Posted 16 years ago # -
Whiterabbit-uk
Games Guruthanks ibwebb, nice of you to say so. :)
Posted 16 years ago #
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