Experience of a Shareware Author The following is a message from Frank Bell, author of NEWKEY, a shareware keyboard macro program that was awarded "Editor's Choice" in a comparative review in PC Magazine against more expensive commercial programs. Over the years I have tried several different methods to encourage user registration and none of them have made any substantial difference, so I must admit to feeling that these methods probably do not increase sales too much. However, I have been using the 5-second delay screen [when the user first loads the program] for over a year and have received several orders with comments such as "ok, ok, I'll register. Send me the version without the delay screen." so I do feel that I am getting registrations that I would not have gotten otherwise. I have never received any negative feedback from someone who has not purchased, but I might have lost some sales as a result of the delay too. The purpose of the evaluation screen is to make integration into daily computer operations annoying, but not so annoying as to discourage evaluation. I also feel that it is a strong incentive for business and consultants to purchase. I have received many next day air orders from consultants and businesses who have integrated Newkey into a system they are delivering or demoing the next day and don't want the evaluation screen coming up. Would these have been purchased without the evaluation screen? Some perhaps, but not all. I disagree with the statement that "if they're going to steal your program, they're going to steal it, and if they're going to pay for it, they're going to pay for it." There are lots of people who want to do the right thing, but need a little encouragement. Since I furnish the full manual and my product requires little support, removing the evaluation screen is the best practical benefit I can offer. This way the user can feel virtuous and still get a practical benefit by registering.