Trialware Protection for Windows Software   Protect your Windows software from unauthorized use and insure that you are being paid for each copy of your software that is being used.  Let SpriteMaster turn your software into 'Trialware' quickly and easily, allowing you to make trial versions available via the Internet, CD-ROMs, or diskettes.

• No source code changes to your program are required.
• Limit the use of your software by days, uses, hours, and date.
• Lock your software so it runs on only a specific CPU.
• Turn a trial version into a licensed version without reinstalling.
• Add copyright screens and password protection.
• Works on all Windows (16 & 32 bit) software.

I use 20/20 Software's softSENTRY for turning Windows software into 'Trialware'.  You have the option of having the trialware features you select 'injected' into the executable itself (this adds about 50k to the size of your EXE), or being provided to you in a Windows DLL that exports the softSENTRY() function, which you can call from within your program.    Increase customer registrations and eliminate software piracy of your Windows application by giving it the quality 'Trialware' protection it deserves!   For samples of softSENTRY 'Trialware' features in action, download and install any of the shareware products on the SpriteMaster download page.   'Trialware' protection for Windows software consulting is available at the standard consulting services rate of $25 per hour.  Most 'Trialware' projects typically take only one hour to complete, depending on how fancy you want your 'registration' and/or 'splash' screens to be.   Here is a complete descrition of the 'Trialware' features available to your application using softSENTRY: softSENTRY Features Overview

What is Trial Mode?   Trial mode limits the usage of your software. The softSENTRY software can be used to limit the usage of any Windows .EXE file. The trial mode may be used alone (i.e. with no other softSENTRY functions). It restricts the end-user to using the software for a certain period. After this period, the softSENTRY protection will not permit the software to be executed. This feature is frequently used to create 'trialware' - software that the end-user can use to determine whether or not he wants to buy it, but that deactivates itself after a developer defined period of usage. It can also be used to create 'subscription software' - software that is licensed for use for a set period of time (e.g., one year). After this time, the end-user is required to renew the software subscription otherwise the software will stop working.   Frequently, the trial mode feature will be used in combination with other softSENTRY features. Common examples include:   trial mode + splash form - The splash form provides an means for informing the end-user that this is trial software. Additionally, you may include purchasing instructions or contact information so that the end-user can easily communicate with you should he want to purchase the full version of your software. trial mode + registration form + password protection - Password information must be collected using the registration form. The password information is then verified, and if valid, the software is allowed to execute. Once a valid password is entered, the registration form will never be displayed again. If no password is provided, the end-user may choose to execute the software in 'trial mode'. Each time the software is executed, the registration form will prompt for a password, but will allow operation without the password (often by clicking on a button labeled "Trial") until the trial mode period has expired. Once the trial mode has expired, the registration form will continue to appear but trial mode will no longer be available (i.e., the software will not be executed).

What is Password Protection?   Password protection prevents the execution of your software unless a valid password is entered by the end-user. Once a valid password has been entered, the software is 'unlocked' and the password is no longer required to execute the software. The password protection feature of softSENTRY requires the use of the registration form feature. (Because the registration form is where the end-user enters the password.) You may define three types of passwords:   constant password - one password unlocks all copies of the application (e.g., type in "bob123" and the software will be unlocked; "bob123" is the only password that will unlock the software) formula password - many passwords will unlock all copies of the application (e.g. "bob33x" will unlock all copies of the application, but "bob15x" and "bob660x" will also unlock all copies of the application) system password - each end-user's computer system generates a unique system number and this system number is used in generating the password that is valid only for that specific end-user's system. Because the system number is required to generate the password, each end-user must contact the developer, after the software has been installed, to get their unique password.   The password protection feature may be used in combination with the splash form feature and/or the trial mode feature. Applications include:     password protection + registration form + trial mode - Password information is collected using the registration form. The password information is then verified, and if valid, the software is allowed to execute. Once a valid password is entered, the registration form will never be displayed again. If no password is provided, the end-user may choose to execute the software in 'trial mode' (often by clicking on a button labeled "Trial"). Each time the software is executed, the registration form will prompt for a password, but will allow operation without the password until the trial mode period has expired. Once the trial mode has expired, the registration form will continue to appear but trial mode will no longer be available (i.e., the software will not be executed). password  protection + registration form + splash form  - If you use a serial number or customer id as a password, you would require the entry of a password using the password feature. Collect the password from the end-user using the registration form and display the password (serial number or customer id) on the splash form each time the software is executed.

What is a Registration Form?   A registration form is a screen of information that is displayed to the end-user the first time that the software is executed. Whether the registration form appears upon subsequent execution is dependent on how the form was defined.   The registration form may be used alone (no other softSENTRY features) to collect registration information (e.g., name, address, etc.) for use in registering the software (via mail or fax). Text, colors, and graphics may be included in the registration form. Alternatively, you may choose to display a license agreement which the end-user must agree to prior to using your software. When used alone, the registration form will appear to the end-user only once. The second and subsequent times that the software is executed, the registration form will not appear.   Most commonly, the registration form will be used in combination with other softSENTRY features. Common examples include:     registration form + splash form - Ownership information (e.g., end-user's name and company) can be collected using the registration form and then displayed on the splash form each time the software is executed. By 'personalizing' the software with the end-user's information, you reduce the likelihood that the end-user will copy and distribute the software (since the original end-user's name will go with the unauthorized copy) registration form + password protection - Password information must be collected using the registration form. The password information is then verified, and if valid, the software is allowed to execute. Once a valid password is entered, the registration form will never be shown again. registration form + password protection + trial mode - Password information must be collected using the registration form. The password information is then verified, and if valid, the software is allowed to execute. Once a valid password is entered, the registration form will never be displayed again. If no password is provided, the end-user may choose to execute the software in 'trial mode'. Each time the software is executed, the registration form will prompt for a password, but will allow operation without the password until the trial mode period has expired. Once the trial mode has expired, the registration form will continue to appear but trial mode will no longer be available.

What is a Splash Form?   A splash form is a screen of information that is displayed to the end-user every time the software is executed. The softSENTRY software can be used to create a splash form for any Windows .EXE file. The splash form may be used alone to add a professional 'introduction screen' to any software. Text, colors, and graphics may be included in the splash form. Alternatively, you may choose to display a simple copyright notice or other important information. The splash form feature may also be used in combination with any of the other softSENTRY features. Common examples include:   splash form + registration form - Ownership information (e.g., end-user's name and company) can be collected using the registration form and then displayed on the splash form each time the software is executed. By 'personalizing' the software with the end-user's information, you reduce the likelihood that the end-user will copy and distribute the software (since the original end-user's name will go with the unauthorized copy) splash form + password + registration form - If you use a serial number or customer id as a password, you would require the entry of a password using the password feature. Collect the password from the end-user using the registration form and display the password (serial number or customer id) on the splash form each time the software is executed.