JLRodgers
Level: Moderator
Registered: 04-04-2002
Posts: 1617
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Re: How to Create Demo Version
If you're wanting a 100% no chance of being ripped off demo.... highly unlikely, probably most/all methods have been cracked.
Otherwise, just put a file somewhere, registry entry, or something that has the date listed of the install time, and check it when the program runs. The install program can't install it (otherwise an uninstall would remove it, and a re-install would reset it); and it can't be in a "all users" location since it might be run by a user without administration abilities.
It just can't be anywhere important that might mess something up, and can't be in the program's install folder, nor in any temporary files folder, nor in any directory that might be monitored by anti-virus programs (I've heard that some monitor the windows directory and notify users of any file additions/changes , although programs exist that do this). Otherwise the user would know where the program's location is, then if they delete it, they've got a "fresh" install.
You could force the user to access the internet to verify the usage (store it in a db on first run, and verify the number of days passed after), and not run if the internet isn't accessible ---- but people with dialup/restricted internet uploads/downloads would skip it, and even many with broadband. Considering firewall programs will prompt the user "do you want this to access the internet" they'll know.
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