Debate: Shareware and the 30-day limit

[Chieftess]

A little debate came up in the chatroom about shareware programs that have a 30 day limit, with some shareware programs being able to run after that (like mIRC, for example).


The debate question was: Is it illegal to use shareware programs after their trial period runs out? If so, why not just uninstall it, and reinstall it?

Another question came up: Some software say that you can't run the same software on 2 different computers. Supposing you installed it on one computer, and 5 years later got a new one. Techincally, you'd have to buy it again just to install it on the new computer.

 

[nonconformist]

I think if you buy software, you should be able to install it on any and all computers you own.

 

[Civrules]

A little debate came up in the chatroom about shareware programs that have a 30 day limit, with some shareware programs being able to run after that (like mIRC, for example).


The debate question was: Is it illegal to use shareware programs after their trial period runs out? If so, why not just uninstall it, and reinstall it?

As far as I know, some programs don't allow you to install again for another 30 days after uninstalling.

Another question came up: Some software say that you can't run the same software on 2 different computers. Supposing you installed it on one computer, and 5 years later got a new one. Techincally, you'd have to buy it again just to install it on the new computer.

There are not a lot of these software (if I am correct).
I wouldn't worry about you not being able to use it on the second computer after five years, because a lot can change in five years including the software version itself, etc.
The thing that probably happens the most is when one person has a desktop and a laptop. He uses the desktop for work when at home, but when away, uses the laptop. Then I guess you would have to call the company and explain.

Recently I bought a dictionary on a CD-ROM. It allows you to have it on one computer, but I also wanted it on the other. What I did was call the company, and they gave me a different code for the second computer. So now I have it on both.

 

[Chieftess]

Some older programs don't have the installation-check feature on them, or even a working "30-day disable" feature. (i.e., you can still use it, or just reinstall it).

 

[Silverflame]

Another question came up: Some software say that you can't run the same software on 2 different computers. Supposing you installed it on one computer, and 5 years later got a new one. Techincally, you'd have to buy it again just to install it on the new computer.

If that was true, then I guess if you reformatted the harddrive because of a virus or something, then you wouldn't be able to install the program again.

 

[Gainy]

I don't know of any software that you can't install on more than 1 computer. It's only if you are using the software on both computers simultaeously that it is illegal, in my experience.

 

[nonconformist]

I don't know of any software that you can't install on more than 1 computer. It's only if you are using the software on both computers simultaeously that it is illegal, in my experience.

i think Microsoft software sotps you from installin gon multiple PCs.

 

[Dell19]

Generally I don't think software companies want you running their software actively on two computers after only paying for one... The only example of a non expiring product that I can think of that I currently use is Winzip...

 

[ainwood]

I think you are limited to one installation at a time, rather than specifically one computer.

 

[ManOfMiracles]

Some programs will leave a line buried in Windows registry after they are uninstalled so you can't reinstall them unless you hunt down and kill the registry item.

Shareware programs that have full capabilities only for a certain period and then require an upgrade to "full version" or the program reverts to a very limited functionality are designed to be used after the trial period as long as one doesn't mind the restrictions.

I've had to buy new computers over the years. As long as you uninstall the software on the old computer (or the old hard drive is completely unusable and unrecoverable) before installing on the new, there normally isn't a problem with software designed for the home user.

Business site licenses are another issue. I used to work in systems for a brokerage. Our company bought out a larger company and the president wanted to move systems operations to the other company's offices in another state. The site licenses for OS/400 and the software on the system wouldn't allow that unless he wanted to spend megabucks and buy new licenses. Instead we channeled all of the larger companies transactions back through our old, dinky system and I had to be on call 24/7. Those morons were still calling me at 3am (because we were having a thunderstorm and power was out so their system went down) over a year after I quit working for the company. Grrr...

 

[zulu9812]

Another question came up: Some software say that you can't run the same software on 2 different computers. Supposing you installed it on one computer, and 5 years later got a new one. Techincally, you'd have to buy it again just to install it on the new computer.

I believe that, technically, you simply have to delete the installation on your old computer when you install the program on your new computer.

But that's still scandalous. I should be able to install a program on every PC I own, all at the same time.

 

[Dell19]

That would largely be okay if it was only you using it on each of your computers...

 

[anarchywrksbest]

My winzip trial expired about 2 years ago.

 

[Dell19]

I only got my new computer a year ago and have been using winzip for 283 days to open 75 archives apparently...

 

[damunzy]

bah, WinRAR is the best! www.rarsoft.com.
or the freeware FilZip is a good free (no ads, no spyware) alternative.

 

[Dell19]

I've got WinRAR as well since winzip doesn't open Rars...

 

[anarchywrksbest]

Days Installed: 651
Archives Opened: 504

Your 21-day trial period has expired.

Oh really?