How to Create Demo Version

[Hiren Joshi]

Hello All,

Can Anyone please tell me, in VB 6.0 with MS Access Database

1) Is it possible to create Perfect Demo Version of the Software which should stop working after specified days lets say 14 Days of the Installation Date.

Also after Expiry of Demo Period, it should give option to enter serial no. / Licence Key to carry on.

So once user enters Serial No. or Licence Key, It should work as a full version.

Is this Possible? if it is, can anyone suggest me with sample similiar project like this or sample code for this kind of Project?

Regards,

Hiren (Nairobi - Kenya)

[debasisdas]

Yes that is possible.

You can write the installation date in the system registry at the time of installation and check the same on load of the application.

[Hiren Joshi]

Hi Debasis,

Really Speaking I dont know how to write in the system registry from VB 6.0 and access data from Registry while loading the application.

Can you please let me know in Details for the same? How it is possible? I would Really Appreciate your help if you can guide me on this application.

Thank You,

Hiren

[debasisdas]

Try to use

SaveSetting()
GetSetting()

for the purpose.

[jamesd0142]

1. Get the system date + 14 days store in string(strvalue)
2. use set as advised above [SaveSetting("test", "test", "test", strvalue)]

then on form load
1. get dystem date - strval3
2. get value from registry [strval2 = GetSetting("test", "test", "test", "empty")]
3.if strval2 <> "empty" check strval2 is > than strvalue3. [using datdiff()]

im sure that would work.

cheers debasisdas i was also unaware these functions existed!

Thanks James

[Killer42]

I'd like to make a suggestion.

Rather than ceasing to work after the set period, why not just introduce a delay at startup (what we used to call a "shareware delay")? The delay should get longer each day, so that it becomes more and more annoying. That way, you encourage people to buy the software, without being quite so intrusive.

[9815402440]

hi
another way is counter. initialize the counter to suppose 30. decrease the counter each time your software is started. and display the number of tials remaining.

demo version should depend upon the type of software. if your software is handling data where date is an important field. then you can think about using date as demo criteria. criteria should not check system date. it should check the date used by the user in the software itself. e.g. while printing invoice user need to invoice date each day. your program should check invoice date.

if date is not primary factor then think about using counters.

regards
manpreet singh dhillon hoshiarpur

[debasisdas]

I'd like to make a suggestion.

Rather than ceasing to work after the set period, why not just introduce a delay at startup (what we used to call a "shareware delay")? The delay should get longer each day, so that it becomes more and more annoying. That way, you encourage people to buy the software, without being quite so intrusive.

Yes that is a better option.

If you are creating something like a reporting tool and you want to give a demo version can play with recordset a bit .

[jamesd0142]

Hi,

I created this to go on form load event...

 Dim get1 As String
        Dim trial As String
        trial = GetSetting("delay", "delay", "delay", "empty")
        If trial = "empty" Then
            SaveSetting("delay", "delay", "delay", "10")
        Else
            get1 = GetSetting("delay", "delay", "delay", "empty")
            Dim resave As String = CInt(get1) + 10
            DeleteSetting("delay", "delay", "delay")
            SaveSetting("delay", "delay", "delay", resave)
 
            'create delay (get1)
            Dim get2 As Integer = CInt(get1) * 1000
            Sleep(get2)
        End If
 

It stores a value in the registry (savesetting() thats what is does right?) and loads it every time the form loads, then delays the load by x amount of seconds. and rewrites a new value to the location, to increase the time taken to load next time.

Would it be a good idea to use this or are there possible problems i have not noticed?

Note: imports "system.threading.thread"
James

[Ali Rizwan]

I want to suggest that not only set a period but after every time show a display for asking a serial.

And also lock some features till it is not purchased.

And at last i thank to this post which solves my problem also.


Thanx
>> ALI <<

[Killer42]

I want to suggest that not only set a period but after every time show a display for asking a serial.

Ah, the old "nag screen". Haven't we all hated those... :)

[bany]

Hi Man!
It is very easy to do it.
1-In the first form opening create a text box name it [Date]
In the control source put =date()
2-place this code on open(procedure)

If (Eval("[Forms]![tables]![Date] Between #Feb/21/2009# And #1/1/3000#")) Then
Beep
MsgBox "This Is A Demo For 7 Days ,Your System Will Be Down At 28-Feb-08.", vbOKOnly, "Attention!"
End If
If (Eval("[Forms]![tables]![Date] Between #Feb/28/2009# And #1/1/3000#")) Then
DoCmd.Quit acSave
End If