What Turns You Off About Evaluation Software?

An Anonymous Coward asks: "I work at a mid-tier software company (which shall remain nameless, lest I draw attention to myself). Recently we have started making 30 day evaluation versions of our software available for download after prospects register. An email containing a username and password is sent to the registrant a few hours after submission. We have been surprised to find that not a few registrants don't actually go on to download the software. We make the file size and system requirements clear up front. I would guess some slashdot readers get involved in evaluations. What process do you go through? Why might you stop short of actually downloading the software?"

Comments

Crack

[Anonymous Coward]

I personally just crack the program. No evaluation period for me. :)

Turnoffs include..

[Ogerman]

Well, lets see..

1.) I'm going to look for an Open Source package that meets my need first.
2.) I'm going to consider writing my own software or extending an existing OSS package before buying a proprietary software license.
3.) Registration is bad. Your company has no need for my personal information or e-mail unless I specifically require services that could benefit from this--like perhaps tech support after a customer decides to buy.
4.) I'm not even going to consider your product if your company does not support the free operating systems I use.
5.) I'm not even going to consider your product if your company is run by greedy bastards who treat customers like criminals or never give back to any open source projects they may employ.
6.) Even if you stay proprietary, source code would be nice because I inherently don't trust the security of binaries on my networks. Disassembly is a much harder method of security auditing if the need presents itself or clients require.