forum.vdsworld.com

noveltech · Contributor Joined: 16 Sep 2002 Posts: 105

Shareware Software. Is there a way for vds to email a short note to shareware Author everytime the end-user starts the unregisterd version of software... PURPOSE: for Author insight and marketing potential. We could have a "thank you note" auto reply to go back to the shareware user or other notes to prompt End-user to purchase our software.

A DLL? or DSU? or VDS?

Must check for internet connection and send un-noticed and/or store the message for "sending" when End-user has open connection.

The thought: I would let the shareware user know that I am aware that our unregistered program is still being used after {x} number of days, weeks, months, or years.

All feed back invited and welcomed, nt

Skit3000 · Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2003 7:57 pm Post subject:

You can use several DLLs for this, like the vdsipp.dll and the vdsinet.dll.

FreezingFire · **Admin Team** Joined: 23 Jun 2002 Posts: 3508

What you could do is also use a PHP script on a server which the program
just calls so that it's less awkward then sending mail directly. Smile

Skit3000 · Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2003 8:02 pm Post subject:

I think that'll be the best solution, because you then don't have to include a big dll file with your installation package... Smile

Garrett · Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2003 8:06 pm Post subject:

Provided the user is connected to the internet. If not, your email will not
be sent.

Another situation is firewall issues. Programs like ZoneAlarm will ask the
user for permission to allow your program to access the internet.

Lastly, your program may end up being considered spyware and gain a bad
rep for it's "Phone Home" technique. This of course could mean the death
of your program and possibly any other programs under your name.

Just some food for thought.

-Garrett

noveltech · Contributor Joined: 16 Sep 2002 Posts: 105

Serge · Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2003 7:57 am Post subject:

hi noveltech,

i would strongly suggest against using the idea you have in mind...i for one would never ever trial a program if i knew that an email was sent at regular intervals...i would question just what sort of information is being sent...and even if i was told, it would be a matter of believing you Confused

a better method would be to use a registry key with an encrypted entry that would keep track of the number of times a user has used your program with an appropriate section within vds that would cause a message to popup at certain times to remind the user that the program has been used x times and has not been registered as yet

you could also allow, say, 50 uses of your program with all features available...after which certain features would become disabled until the user registered the program...you can also use a registry key for that with an encrypted entry

one thing is for sure, as far as i am concerned, don't use your email idea!!!

serge

noveltech · Contributor Joined: 16 Sep 2002 Posts: 105

Thanks, Serge, Garrett, Skit3000, FreezingFire for feedback.

I will not use the report back to author "idea". I am convinced it would be negative efforts other than the knowledge acquired.

An option for end-user to activate would be a nice feature. The option would e-mail the end-user... End-user would type the email address they wish to use. Pagers and Cell Phones are capable of receiving email or notifications via email. The application seems to have merit. Have not been able to get it to work. Last year, was wking on same without good results. Thanks, nt.

FreezingFire · **Admin Team** Joined: 23 Jun 2002 Posts: 3508

Are you still interested in the PHP? I can write you a script for it if you need. Smile

PGWARE · **Web Host** Joined: 29 Dec 2001 Posts: 1565

I do something similar in my products but never do I grab a users email address - as that would be considered harvesting.

My products when opened will connect to my server to verify registration status - all that is sent is the serial number used, no names or anything else is sent. This verifies if the serial is infact valid and not created by a keygen.

Done using http protocol and a php script which connects to MySql database to verify orders.

My license agreement notifies the user of this, as well does the FAQ in the helpfile. The online check is completely optional, meaning if there is no intenret connection it will not force one and will continue operation of the program as normal.

noveltech · Contributor Joined: 16 Sep 2002 Posts: 105

FreezingFire · **Admin Team** Joined: 23 Jun 2002 Posts: 3508

I PM'ed you the script Noveltech. Smile

Protected · Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2003 9:16 am Post subject:

I also think PHP is the best idea. I don't think calling a php script will trigger any firewall.

FreezingFire · **Admin Team** Joined: 23 Jun 2002 Posts: 3508

Skit3000 · Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2003 1:20 pm Post subject:

If you make a PHP script and call it with the default browser (with the "shell" or "run" command), it will not work any better, because it will generate a popup window, which a popup-blocker doesn't like... Confused