Disk Drive Failed: Recourse?

  • Thread starter Thread starter (PeteCresswell)
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Yousuf said:
As a preventative, I run Hard Disk Sentinel on all of my systems. I have
a registered version, but nag-ware version works fine as well, it never
expires, but does nag. Usually it'll spot a problem with a drive long
before you get any visual or "audible" indication of it.

http://www.hdsentinel.com/

Yousuf Khan
Click to expand...

There is a free nagware version?

http://www.hdsentinel.com/download.php

That lists only a DOS and Linux version as free. Is the trial version
the nagware ALWAYS-free version?
 
Yousuf said:
Yes, the nag-ware version is free. Otherwise, why else would they nag? :)

Yousuf Khan
Click to expand...

What I'm asking is if the trial version is what you call the nagware
version? Sometimes the freeware version is the nagware version (e.g.,
Sandboxie).

_ Free DOS version
_ Free Linux version
_ Free trial version

Please check off (replace underscore with X) which is the nagware
version to which you refer.

If it's the trial version, what does its EULA state about the allowed
period of use before the trial expires? Just because code isn't shoved
into a program to have it cripple or disable itself doesn't mean you're
supposed to keep using it after the trial. The author might add code or
he might hope his users honor the EULA.
 
What I'm asking is if the trial version is what you call the nagware
version? Sometimes the freeware version is the nagware version (e.g.,
Sandboxie).

_ Free DOS version
_ Free Linux version
_ Free trial version

Please check off (replace underscore with X) which is the nagware
version to which you refer.
Click to expand...

The DOS and Linux versions would be completely freeware, while the
Windows Trial version would be the nagware.
If it's the trial version, what does its EULA state about the allowed
period of use before the trial expires? Just because code isn't shoved
into a program to have it cripple or disable itself doesn't mean you're
supposed to keep using it after the trial. The author might add code or
he might hope his users honor the EULA.
Click to expand...

Don't know what the EULA says, but I got a friend who's been using the
nagware version for years now.

Yousuf Khan
 
Yousuf said:
Don't know what the EULA says, but I got a friend who's been using the
nagware version for years now.
Click to expand...

I did an install in a virtual machine. It presents its EULA during
installation. I later happened to see they have a copy of the EULA on
their web site at:

http://www.hdsentinel.com/eula.php

which says in part:

You can install the non-registered evaluation version of the software
for a trial period of 30 days on any number of computers.

It also says:

For non-business (home, personal) use, the trial period may be
extended.

That's a vague statement since "may" doesn't describe how the trial gets
extended. A non-descript statement that says "it may" also means "it
may not".

When you run the program, you either have to enter a registration key
(which you have to buy) or hit Close to exit that dialog. That dialog
also says "This demo version should be used for up to 30 days to
evaluate ..." It says that buying the Pro version provides "immediate
access to all functions and unlock all features" and "no restrictions
and annoying notices". So while you might tolerate the nags (which
appears everytime you load the program) it appears you lose some
functionality (i.e., the demo or trial version is crippled).
 
When you run the program, you either have to enter a registration key
(which you have to buy) or hit Close to exit that dialog. That dialog
also says "This demo version should be used for up to 30 days to
evaluate ..." It says that buying the Pro version provides "immediate
access to all functions and unlock all features" and "no restrictions
and annoying notices". So while you might tolerate the nags (which
appears everytime you load the program) it appears you lose some
functionality (i.e., the demo or trial version is crippled).
Click to expand...

Yeah, the demo or trial version is crippled, but the main features that
you're looking for are all still available. Things that are crippled are
stuff like email notifications (you can still look at the application's
interface screen and get all of that same information), or some disk
tests are disabled. It's more convenience features that are crippled
that's all.

Yousuf Khan
 
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