Activation expiration
Pronounced ak-t&-'vA-sh&n "ek-"sploi-'tA-sh&n
from 
Stardock Forums
Stardock Forums
Here's how they get ya.
Let's say you purchase Windowblinds.
You give them 20 dollars and they give you the software with the requirement that you get online and activate it.
All of this is perfectly reasonable, as only pirates would object.
The average honest coustomer doesn't have a problem jumping through whatever hoops the company requires - provided that the hoops are allways available to the consumer.
Why wouldn't they be?
Simple. Profit.
This model of doing buisness is one used by every software company that uses activation to twart piracy.
Stardock on the other hand deviates from this model in one very subtle and important way.
They include a window of opportunity to activate or upgrade. After that you are required to re-purchase another copy.
There's one main point to consider here.
You own the software.
You may not own every line of code that goes into it, as it's closed-source, but you have the right to install it, run it, and have it on your computer to use - for life. (yours or the computers - whichever comes first)
Even Microsoft will allow a person who purchased Windows XP in '01, if all else fails, pick up a phone in the year 2050 and get thier XP activated. They bought it, they have the right.
It's like the shirt you're wearing. You may not own the copywrite to the design, or brand name, but it's yours.
Imagine having to go back to the store and re-purchase it in a year or two if you want to wear it again (that is assuming that you'll need to take off at some point)
Sound fair?
It's not.
As long as you never re-install Windows and/or Windowblinds, you walk away the victor.
As for myself I own the full suite of Object Desktop.
In order to keep owning it, Stardock wants another 50 bucks. And eventually another 50...and another 50.
When I bought the software what I was really paying for was the ability to use that software for a limited time (unlimited if I never re-activate)
Now if your the sort of user who still has the original installation of Windows 95 on your daily computer because you've never needed to re-install/upgrade that OS, or any hardware (75 megahertz is just fine for you) then you'll be a happy consumer for many a year to come.
But if you bought Windowblinds in, say '04, and want to move to Vista next year, try writing Stardock and see if you don't get a prompt and courteous response asking you to give them more money.
Get out a calculator and do the math.
Just remember there's a limited number of times you can turn on that calculator for free - so keep it running!
Don't believe me yet...just wait.
Let's say you purchase Windowblinds.
You give them 20 dollars and they give you the software with the requirement that you get online and activate it.
All of this is perfectly reasonable, as only pirates would object.
The average honest coustomer doesn't have a problem jumping through whatever hoops the company requires - provided that the hoops are allways available to the consumer.
Why wouldn't they be?
Simple. Profit.
This model of doing buisness is one used by every software company that uses activation to twart piracy.
Stardock on the other hand deviates from this model in one very subtle and important way.
They include a window of opportunity to activate or upgrade. After that you are required to re-purchase another copy.
There's one main point to consider here.
You own the software.
You may not own every line of code that goes into it, as it's closed-source, but you have the right to install it, run it, and have it on your computer to use - for life. (yours or the computers - whichever comes first)
Even Microsoft will allow a person who purchased Windows XP in '01, if all else fails, pick up a phone in the year 2050 and get thier XP activated. They bought it, they have the right.
It's like the shirt you're wearing. You may not own the copywrite to the design, or brand name, but it's yours.
Imagine having to go back to the store and re-purchase it in a year or two if you want to wear it again (that is assuming that you'll need to take off at some point)
Sound fair?
It's not.
As long as you never re-install Windows and/or Windowblinds, you walk away the victor.
As for myself I own the full suite of Object Desktop.
In order to keep owning it, Stardock wants another 50 bucks. And eventually another 50...and another 50.
When I bought the software what I was really paying for was the ability to use that software for a limited time (unlimited if I never re-activate)
Now if your the sort of user who still has the original installation of Windows 95 on your daily computer because you've never needed to re-install/upgrade that OS, or any hardware (75 megahertz is just fine for you) then you'll be a happy consumer for many a year to come.
But if you bought Windowblinds in, say '04, and want to move to Vista next year, try writing Stardock and see if you don't get a prompt and courteous response asking you to give them more money.
Get out a calculator and do the math.
Just remember there's a limited number of times you can turn on that calculator for free - so keep it running!
Don't believe me yet...just wait.
WinCustomize Forums
}
