[mjgrothaus]

Hi,

I made a screen saver that I have posted on verstiontracker. Right now it's just an installer with the screen saver. I would like to find out how to simple add a "demo mode" to the screen saver that makes it expire in 14 days unless you enter a code.

Can anyone tell me how to do this? Is there a simple way?

I know this may be a very basic question, but I would really appreciate any answers. Right now people are just downloading the full screen saver and using it without sending me the small fee of $5. I thought I could trust people with an honor system. Guess not...

Thanks for reading this and thanks for any feedback!

My program is here btw:

http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/25808

[mjgrothaus]

I guess I am looking for software like this, but for the Mac.


http://softwaresolutions.net/neosecure/demo.htm

Any ideas?

[Thinine]

A highly simplistic way to do this is to record the first launch date in the preference file and then have the program stop working or whatever at the 2 week mark. Of course, this is highly simplistic. As for entering a code, you may have to develop your own system for that. As well, there are likely many sites with examples for generating unique codes.

[Kristoff]

I think you'll find it's not worth your time.

If people really like it, they'll donate or whatever. If they don't like it, well then, they just wont use it.

Cripple ware doesn't work and nag-screens are silly too.

[Kristoff]

And by the way, what exactly are you charging for?

I can make JPEGs with quotes on them, and put them in the Pictures folder and tell OS X to randomize.

You don't exactly own the rights to the quotes, so what's the value proposition for your "screen saver"

I'd like to meet the guy who'll pay $5 for something they can do already for free.

[osxisfun]

>f people really like it, they'll donate

don't bother doing donationware. you'll receive next to nothing...

check out the back story on the dvd app matinee.. and the history of moveable type.

[osxisfun]

>Cripple ware doesn't work and nag-screens are silly too.

Sure they do. they don't stop everyone obviously, but they do stop those people that aren't farking little ware thieves that steal everything that is sitting on their HD..

[Arclite]

Originally posted by osxisfun:
>f people really like it, they'll donate

don't bother doing donationware. you'll receive next to nothing...

check out the back story on the dvd app matinee.. and the history of moveable type.

Not always. (Actually, I guess it depends on what you mean by "next to nothing") We have earned over $100 on a simple donationware application that moves music from the iPod to your hard drive. Silly, yes, but I wouldn't call an iPod shuffle "next to nothing".

[osxisfun]

that's great but $100 is more than most...

But I would call it that if you spent more than 2 hours on it...

if he did it to learn then i guess its all gravy ... to each his own... just don't expect much from the donationware route...