Text By SuperAdaptoid
For the disabled and handicapped the next access barriers
are Instructions, Installation and Configuration. Even
when these steps have been accomplished the largest barrier
remains
... HOW MUCH TIME BEFORE THE DEMO ENDS !
This is then followed by
... WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE
DEMO ENDS !
Being both visually and physically impaired I have personally encountered each and every barrier WITH THE FULL REALIZATION THAT THE CLOCK IS RUNNING ! This article is dedicated to those individuals who find life is already challenging enough ... WITHOUT HAVING TO BEAT-THE-CLOCK !
IT IS A QUESTION OF TIME. Most people need some. Some people need less. WHILE A FEW NEED MORE !
Although this is an Access Problem, it is unlikely that an Accomodation will be acheived. Even cyber- commerce's move to providing "Free Samples" [like a Chocolate Shop] will not alter the Nature Of Business TO NOT GIVE AWAY THE STORE ! Everyone can have a "Taste", but Someone Has To Pay to walk away with a box.
Among major Adaptive Software Providers 90 days is about the longest duration. Although I may use three major adaptive software applications, I will still need to use standard off-the-shelf [non-adapted] programs developed for the general population. Here the standard duration drops from 90 days to as little as 10 days.
Regardless of "Ability or Disability", and where you fit the "Learning Curve" of life, all time durations remain arbitraty. When REALITY provides no arbitration for additional time there are options for consideration.
WHEN YOU NEED TIME, AND CAN'T BUY IT, HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
IS THE DEMO "FULL" FEATURED ?
Are the features "Stripped" ? Does this Demo have all the Features and Functions present and operative. Just as they exist in the final product ? To "limit" the Demonstration some software deleopers remove functions and features from the final product. Limiting functions and features can make the DEMO LESS DESIRABLE, or render the demonstration totally MEANINGLESS and USELESS.
Can the functions be substituted ? Examples include text processing programs with spell checker files and functions removed. Graphic's programs limited to one image format. These are limitations that can be overcome by "STRATEGY". Go to a seperate program utility for spell check or use a seperate image format conversion program. As with all SOLUTIONS BY STRATEGY the determining factor is your personal need and level of frustration !
There is No strategy for word processing programs Without A Save Function. Speech programs limited to a 60 word vocabulary. Here limitations make "Useless" demonstrations.
Are the features "Locked" ? Some software retains all their files and use an "Un-lock Command" to release "restricted" demonstration features after Registration. Unless you have access to a random number generator, or a personal program "hacker", there is No Strategy to "crack" the "code combination".
IS THE DEMO TIME LIMITED ?
Limited by Nag-Ware Sign ? Nag-ware posts a reminder sign at the opening and closing of the shareware program. Some nag-ware becomes more active over time; posting screen reminder messages at randum while you use the program without registration. Sighted users can just ignore these sign messages. Users with speech screen readers find these unexpected messages very frustrating, as speech brings home the True Meaning Of Nag-ware.
Removing or substituting these messages may be possible. However, this requires "hacking", and violates copywrite.
Some "smart" demo software can "Find and Defend" by "file counts" and self-verify file content by size and/or time- dates. "Smart demo defence" can Not be defeated by altering files.
Limited by Computer Clock Time ? If the demonstration is limited by minutes [short time intervals after loading] the program is usually running off your computer's enternal clock. For example some major screen magnification program demos load to a computer memory map address, and enternal clock, to count a 30 minute demonstration time limit. The program opens, magnifies, and operates with all features for 30 minutes. At the end of the demonstration the program send a termination message, suggests saving your work, and offers to operate again for an additional time period ... AFTER RE-BOOTING THE DEMO, and/or THE COMPUTER.
While there is No Way to "Beat The Clock", there is a way to simplify the boot and re-boot process. The freeware TSR Control Utility "Install.Com" and "Remove.Com" can do the following. When "Install" is loaded just before the demo program; "Install" steps between the next application to follow [in this case our Demo] and the computer's memory map. "Install" shares it's memory address with the demo; without having an address specifically noted to the demo. When the demonstration time duration ends, you save work, exit the application, go to the Dos Prompt, and CALL "Remove.Com". DO NOT REBOOT YOUR COMPUTER. "Remove" RELEASES THE DEMO FROM "Install", AND ERASES "Install" FROM THE MEMORY ADDRESS. With the memory notation cleared ... the first demonstration leaves NO TRACE. Just reload "Install" followed by the demo ... and Do It Again ! This strategy also applies to MS Windows 3.+ screen magnification demo's. Pre-load "Install" and include the Demo in you Command Line Call to to open MS Windows. The DEMO WILL BE LOADED TO MEMORY BY "Install" and OPENED BY WINDOWS FOR ACTIVE OPERATION.
A WORD OF WARNING the previous example is a program that TERMINATES with "WARNING", WORK SAVE, and CONTINUATION OPTION. Examples exist of demo's DESIGNED TO "CRASH" with FORCED TERMINATION BY AUTO- EXECUTED FULL SYSTEM COMPUTER REBOOTS. These demo's give LITTLE WARNING AND NO SAVING FUNCTIONS.
Limited by Computer Calander Date ? If the demo is limited by days, weeks, or months ... chances are the time is taken from the computer's calander. HERE YOU MAY BE ABLE TO BEAT THE CLOCK ! Strategies include:
CAN THE DEMO BE RELOADED ?
As a General Rule DON'T Install ANY Demonstration Software WITHOUT HAVING YOUR OWN "UNISTALL UTILITY". NEVER INSTALL ANY PROGRAM IN WINDOWS WITHOUT YOUR OWN "UNSTALL UTILITY". Even if the software says it Already Has Its' Own Uninstall Function ! Your own "Uninstall Utility" is sure to Remove EVERYTHING without Trails are Traces.
NEVER allow a Software Site to AUTO- DOWNLOAD an application and INSTALL IT DIRECTLY into your system. Always open download files and INSTALL- IT- YOURSELF. NEVER allow an application to AUTO- CONFIGURE AUTOEXEC.BAT OR CONFIG.SYS. Always CONFIGURE YOUR OWN SYSTEM YOURSELF. A good "Uninstall" progam can assure that You Will Not Have To HUNT For Hidden Files, Hack or Break Copywrite.
HOW SMART CAN DEMO'S GET ?
Auto- Scramble, Auto- Erase, Lazer Tack, Download Tracking ... and things we have yet to think ! There is NO STRATEGY to overcome Smart Demo's with ONE- TIME- USE DEFENCES. LOAD IT ONCE ... YOU LOST IT ... IT'S AUTOMATIC !
SMART DOWNLOAD SITES are used mostly for FIRST TIME BATA TESTS to follow- up WHERE THEIR DEMO'S WENT. THEY WANT TO KNOW IF YOU TRIED IT, HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH IT, AND DID YOU LIKE IT ? This seems to be a Fair Exchange ... THEY GIVE IT, and YOU GET TO USE IT !