Licensing: Nag Screen vs Time Limit

On 03/03/2014 at 12:01, xxxxxxxx wrote:

User Information:
Cinema 4D Version:   All 
Platform:   Windows  ;   Mac OSX  ; 
Language(s) :     C++  ;   PYTHON  ;

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Hello to All,_<_o:_<_o:p_>_o:p>
This is my first post.  I've been using this forum every day for the last 3 months and I would like to thank everyone for all of the very useful insight and information they have pr_<_o:_<_o:p_>_
I would like to get opinions on nag screens vs time limits in regards to plugin licensing.  I'm considering releasing plugins so they are fully functional without registering a serial number, but a message box will pop up every time the plugin is initialized.  The message will be polite and remind the user that they can get rid of the popup by purchasing a license.  If a serial number is registered, the nag screen will not appear.  I'm also using the SNHookClass, so a message will also appear every time C4d is started if the plugin is not regi_<_o:_<_o:p_>_ 
Any thoughts or opinions would be_<_o:_<_o:p_>_y appreciated.
_<_o:_<_o:p_>_onormal">Thanks,
_<_o:_<_o:p_>_
Joe

On 03/03/2014 at 14:15, xxxxxxxx wrote:

From my experience both as a user and a seller, it really depends but here are my views nonetheless.

In my case, as a customer, I find nag screens to be annoying.  But if you get full functionality, many users would rather put up with the nag and not purchase.  And those like me who don't like the nag simply never continue using the plugin/software.  This is a good way to lose sales and customers.

The time-limited demo is better in that the user can use the plugin unfettered for a period and make a decision on purchase if they really need to use it ongoing.  It is much less nagging and typically results in gaining customers who are interested in the plugin and its further development.

There are several other possibilities such as 'watermarking' or only presenting a basic set of features with the full potential unlocked with purchase.  These are good incentives since they present limits that allow exploration without nagging and interruptions.  Still, these methods are more specific to the plugin.  Watermarking is really only good for textures and renders.  Feature limits are only good if those basic features are tantalizing enough to whet the appetite of the user to purchase for the rest of the features.

The only downside of the time-limit demoing approach is that you may have a user try out your plugin and not purchase and, say, some time later want to demo it again.  The way C4D's time-limit system works makes it difficult to achieve this.  In my case, I allot a secondary plugin ID that allows for a 'second round' of time-limited demoing in these cases.  Something to consider if you go that route.

On 03/03/2014 at 15:24, xxxxxxxx wrote:

Originally posted by xxxxxxxx

In my case, as a customer, I find nag screens to be annoying.
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And those like me who don't like the nag simply never continue using the plugin/software.

I belong to this group too. Anything is better than a box popping up. Anything..