Software that can be run for a limited period of time before it is purchased. Trialware has a built-in expiration date and will cease to operate beyond that date if it has not been paid for. Also called "demoware." See shareware.
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2008 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
- I say crapware; you say 'performance enhancer'
- I say crapware; you say 'performance enhancer'agreedall trialware should be treated as crapware.OneCare offered as TRIAL is crapware.OneCare offered as TRIAL is crapware.I want the full version or nothing. Trial is useless.Anyway I don't like OneCare because it's a security suite. I would like a simple antivirus only programohgreat.One problem...
- Discussion threads 2008-08-01
- Deals abound for back to school
- I took a walk through Circuit City today to see where consumer PCs stood. We'll be back to school in a matter of weeks and parents are already asking about laptops for their high school and college-bound students. The good news is that for $700 you can pick...
- Blog posts 2008-07-22
- Dear OEM: Ditch the crapware, you'll make up the revenue elsewhere
- Dear OEM: Ditch the crapware, you'll make up the revenue elsewhereSony can afford to.They aren't selling $299.00 desktops or $399.00 laptops. There systems sell for a premium. Other OEMs are forced to subsidize the hardware with these offers.Reactions"First reaction: That's great that Sony is moving the needle on...
- Discussion threads 2008-07-21
- Sony's amazing crapware-free PC
- Sony's amazing crapware-free PCWhat's really sad.......is that you didn't bother to read the part where it says Sony quickly changed its mind about charging for crap-free PCs before running your yap.WrongAs John E notes, no customer has ever been charged for this option and the decision to charge was canceled...
- Discussion threads 2008-07-21
- Fixing Windows Vista, Part 5: Faster, smarter search
- Fixing Windows Vista, Part 5: Faster, smarter searchagreei have to agree Vista search is excellent and extremely fast. I have been using version 3 and up on my XP machine at work and it always trumps other search indexers like Google Desktop. This is one example of MS doing a...
- Discussion threads 2008-06-05
- The key to Windows success? It's all about the drivers
- The key to Windows success? It's all about the driversTrialware payolaSo I read Item#5 as something of curiosity in terms of who pays and who gets. So if Widget Mfg. installs Widgette software as trialware, Widgette pays Widget Mfg. a fee to get into the installation rotation? Then...
- Discussion threads 2008-05-13
- The key to Windows success? It's all about the drivers
- The greatest advantage of the Windows ecosystem is that there are so many choices. The biggest problem with the Windows ecosystem is that there are so many choices. Ironic, isn't it? The sheer number of choices means you can almost certainly...
- Blog posts 2008-05-13
- Fixing Windows Vista, one machine at a time
- If the "Vista sucks" movement has a public face, it's the Sony Vaio. No one knows that better than my new friend Jeremy Toeman. In May 2007, this 15-year Windows veteran replaced his old, beloved, XP-powered Vaio with a newer Vaio that came with Windows Vista Business installed. Practically overnight,...
- Blog posts 2008-04-21
- Microsoft to add the Genuine Advantage 'nag' to Office
- Microsoft to add the Genuine Advantage 'nag' to OfficeKey: "Or deemed to be one"Yes, those who are incorrectly nagged will have a "fun" time ending the "nag stream".... Open Office never nags. And Office 2003 can still be used just fine. If we stop buying this...
- Discussion threads 2008-04-08
- Sony drops its $49 "no crapware" fee
- Sony drops its $49 "no crapware" feeAnd ...... the fact that this is only offered on Viusta Business? Another bit of "internal miscommunication?"Also, the Sony store is still taking $50 off people for this option.RE: Sony drops its $49Rule of thumb: don't buy a Sony in the first place.RE:...
- Discussion threads 2008-03-21
- Sony drops its $49 "no crapware" fee
- The blogosphere is buzzing today with contempt for Sony, which just outlined its Fresh Start program and immediately ran into a buzzsaw of criticism for its plan to charge $49.99 for the privilege of getting a crapware-free PC. The echo chamber at Techmeme is working overtime, led by Engadget: "Sony has the...
- Blog posts 2008-03-21
- Apple makes good on its promise to push Safari for Windows through iTunes
- Apple makes good on its promise to push Safari for Windows through iTunesI don't use IE...... just because half the OS breaks when I remove it doesn't mean I have to use it. I have the firewall set to prevent it from ever accessing anything other than the local...
- Discussion threads 2008-03-21
- Mythbusters on tech headaches
- Mythbusters on tech headachesCrapware on Linux systems...."Good point, but I wonder how long it will be until we start seeing low-cost Linux systems loaded with crapware so the companies selling them can increase profit margins?" I hope the manufactures learn their lesson that we rather pay more and not have...
- Discussion threads 2008-01-30
- Zero-day flaw haunts HP laptop models
- Zero-day flaw haunts HP laptop modelsHP Pavilion Notebook zv6130us and HP Info CenterEven if I have an HP Pavilion Notebook zv6130us, I don't have HP Info Center installed in my laptop. Is it only for newer laptops?RE: Zero-day flaw haunts HP laptop modelsAnyone who doesn't disable - and then uninstall...
- Discussion threads 2007-12-12
- Trialware Submit (zip)
- Trialware Submit is an application that will aid the programmers to submit their trial software to software download sites. The program includes a browser window to allow site submission from within the program itself. Software authors can easily visit a software sites home, search, submit, and update pages. TSubmit can...
- Software downloads 2007-10-24
- New Release - Diskeeper 2008 with InvisiTasking: It's Smart. It's Transparent. It Will Take Your PC from Zero to Sixty--Automatically!
- File fragmentation--the splitting of files in tens, hundreds or thousands of pieces--puts the brakes on system performance. It slows access to a crawl and causes delayed application launches and slow boot ups. It can even cause system crashes. Introducing the first and only completely automatic defragmentation solution....
- Download resources 2007-10-07
- Gateway One vs. Apple iMac: which is the better buy?
- Gateway One vs. Apple iMac: which is the better buy?plus the iMac comes with iLife and the Gatway comes full of crapware....i think most people don't realize just how useful and valuable the iLife Suite is it not like the crap you get with most Windows PCs.the iMac is already...
- Discussion threads 2007-09-27
- News to know: Best hard drives; Wi-Fi's dead end; Microsoft CRM Live
- Notable headlines:Robin Harris: Who makes the best hard drives?Ryan Naraine: Ex-Softies launch anti-malware start-up.George Ou: Why 2.4 GHz is a dead end for Wi-Fi.Ryan Naraine: Microsoft drops 6 bulletins, fixing 11 vulnerabilities. Microsoft bulletin.Command injection flaw found in IE--or is it Firefox? Richard Stiennon: Your DBA has his/her hand in...
- Blog posts 2007-07-11
- Michael Dell: Anti-crapware poster CEO?
- Michael Dell: Anti-crapware poster CEO?I doubt it..."Well if the cost of phone support for crapware is exceeding the the savings, then the cost of the PC should remain the same"That would make sense, but I have heard nothing but complaints from Dell customers getting 0 software support on new Dells....
- Discussion threads 2007-07-10
- Michael Dell: Anti-crapware poster CEO?
- Dell CEO Michael Dell, speaking in New York City at its Vostro launch, sounded like a man almost ready to rid the world of trialware, which we call crapware. And there's a good reason for that: Crapware costs Dell money on customer support. "Customers really hated trialware," said Dell,...
- Blog posts 2007-07-10
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