Absminprof, when I require help with commercial software that I've bought I always quote my order number so that they know I have a registered copy of the software and also know I'm entitled to technical help.

I luckly have never had the problem you have had (apart from with EA games, who are notorious for their lack of support to loyal customers). For everyday applications though I have had cause to write on several occassions regarding issues and have always received replys within a reasonable amount of time, most of which are resolved very quickly. For example I've puchased and needed help with all of the following and when giving them details of my entitlement to help I've got it ...... Capture Wiz Pro, PC Rescue, Windows Reg Repair Pro, Mind Genius, HDD Life Pro*, G-Force, WinRecovery, DVD EZ Copy, Any DVD, WireChanger*, Wirekeys* and FreeMem Pro to name just a few. (some of these were previous giveaways that I'd decided to buy (I've starred (*) them.

That's a good point BuBBy and I agree with you. If you are willing to take the time to report problems, despite not being a registered user, you should be listned to, and if the information you impart goes towards improving the software, be it by finding a bug for them to repair, or for a good suggestion then you should get a full version cpy for free.

To Absminprof, I was only quoting what long timers here know about giveaways and technical help, I wasn't trying to be sarcastic or negative, just posting in answer to your's and the other guys initial post. :)

peace out.

WR

Thanks, bubbyCo! The labnol site rings a bell, though for what, I dunno. So much to learn, so little time, far fewer brain cells to work with these days. (after losing at least 1% a year)

RM - Why can't you get a screencap from a video feed? In a word, "Overlays"

I'll hand you over to my friend here, who has time to explain it to you...
http://labnol.blogspot.com/2005/11/capture-still-images-from-windows.html

http://www.inmatrix.com/zplayer/highlights/vidrender.shtml

As I recall, that appl caused a bunch of grief last DEC. One of the few I may have griped about, not just because it proved to be more temperamental than an inbred racehorse with a rattlesnake wrapped around its forelock, but because of the irritating and (IMHO) sleazy nag screen that always pops up announcing an updated version (because clicking on it presumably invalidates the free version) If your version stopped running, maybe you accidentally clicked OK instead of close? Are you still running 2.0.0.539?

Whilst we're on the subject of webstream recording, here are some technical questions I hope a hardware buff can 'splain-

a) When it even worked, Webstream Recorder only seemed able to record about half the things I tested it on. For example, it wouldn't recognise anything played inside the Netflix Instant Watch player or certain news downfeeds, (I think) including Yahoo/Cosmo player (I don't want to rip entire movies, but there is the occasional 15-sec to minute long scene I'd love to keep for posterity... or send to a friend to prove the movie's worth watching) Would someone please suggest a freeware appl that CAN grab a video snippet from such players?

b) Just curious... anyone know why none of the screen rippers (incl SnagIt) I've tried, not even the print screen command can copy a single frame from a video feed? I get an odd black hole that is reminiscent of a little utility I used to have on Win95 that allows you to cut a hole and peek through to browswer windows behind the top one. I suspect this phenom has something to do with the video display speed being faster/out of sync with the simple screen refresh rate.

Actually, my own personal (not speaking for GOTD) opinion, any user who wants to report a previously unknown (but reproducible) bug, should be listened to. If it's a biggie and they are only running a trial and cooperate with fixing it (helping with testing) - should be given a free license (even if for only 12 months) as a thank you.

It is in the interests of developers to fix all bugs, if only for the sake of their existing paid users, and all potential customers. Classifying a user trying to report a problem with the program as "user support" is crazy. As a developer, after I've found all the bugs that I can, and my testers have also - anything else someone else can do to make my programs more rock solid, at the least, deserves a big pat on the back & thank you. (A free license or the biggest discount they can afford - gives the user a personal stake in the program they helped make better - and the positive word of mouth from that person isn't going to hurt the reputation either).

But back on topic... I don't know either. I didn't actually download it. Sorry. :(

Thank you all for trying to help.
To WR, since I'm quite an amateur at these sort of things, how do they know that I'm using the giveaway version if they dont respond at all? Is it that the paid version would never have this glitch?

To flight1 and absminprof, remember the software we get via the giveaway project comes with no technical support from the vendor. Have you tried tech forums as they would probably be of some help. Also I'm sure comments here are going to be. (ie Bills above)

WR

Oh okay, same here. I don't know if this will help, but how about shutting everything down in the system tray and then trying to run Webstream Recorder again? See if that works. If it does, some program is causing the problem.

I have that problem with AltDesk and Sticky Password. AltDesk must be running first, or AltDesk won't run.

I use XP home edition. The App worked well for about 7 days.

Oh no! I don't know what to say? What OS are you running? I am running Webstream Recorder on 3 machines running Windows XP SP2 with all of the updates (except IE7 on two of them).

When I right click it from the tray, 'close' is the only option that works.

Mine lives in the system tray when I run it. And to show it I right click and select Show Recorder. Once the Recorder is showing you can select Tools and change this behavior.

Have similar experience to report. The user interface will not come on though it comes to the task-bar. I find that it still records some media streams, but i cannot choose where to store these media streams etc. etc. I have not received any reply from the support department despite couple of e-mails. I guess there are lot more users with the same expereience. Thankful that I did not actually buy this stuff.

I have decided to completely remove this application from my system because it no longer displays the user interface when launched.

I have sent several emails to the support dept of the vendor thru their website and have received NO response.

The program launches and displays an "update available" notice but fails to provide any user interface for me to use. It does display a tray icon indicating it did actually launch but provides no way to maximize or resize the application window.

I did use it successfully for about a month after getting it thru GOTD and was reasonably happy with its performance.

I would consider re-installation in the future if it is offered again - BUT - am VERY dissatisfied with the support and customer service of the vendor.