New trial model

A few days ago I uploaded a new version which has been in the works since the end of last year. It’s been amazingly difficult (but not entirely surprising) to find the time to work on NeverOverwrite since I signed up to a new contract in Southampton (100+ miles from home).The work has gone in dribs and drabs.

So what’s changed? Well unless you’re coming to the software as a new user you may not notice too much. The trial model has turned literally on its head from where it was. It used to stop monitoring after 30 days when the trial expires, but still allow users to access the previous versions. A few users who have kindly taken the time to respond to my requests for feedback made me realise that perhaps this isn’t the best way to acquire new customers!

The latest version will carry on monitoring your files, and saving all the versions even after it expires. The difference is you can’t access these versions once expired (Preview and Drag’n’drop are disabled). I think this is a fair deal, we shall see how it is received. The whole trial system is also slightly less naggy (only one reminder per day, and none inside the first 3 days) and the user can register by selecting “Register...” on any NeverOverwrite context menu instead of only being able to do this via the Previous Versions window.

There’s also a new menu option “Tell us something...” which is available on the Previous Versions window. I want to make it as easy as possible for users to give me feedback on what they are finding painful, or fruitful! Rather than them having to go to the website and dig out the email address, compose an email etc. (which personally puts me off), clicking this menu option will take them straight to a contact form on the site, 3 easy fields (name & email optional) and one click to send the feedback. I hope that’s easy enough!

In fact the contact form has meant I can finally get rid of the email addresses on the website which has been causing me some sleepless nights (ok not literally). Even more so recently as I’ve had the odd email pop through about certain “performance enhancing” blue pills, always a worrying sign...