Hi Stretched,

As Hotdog suggests you must be doing something wrong. I've been visiting the giveaway site since November 2006 and have never downloaded and installed a demo of any software. Every application and game has been a full version. When you download the zip file and unpack it you should first read the read me because many of the giveaways do come with registration codes (on the applications side of the project). Once you've read the read me click on the orange colored set up file (with a key symbol on it) to install the giveaway, or if there's an activate key install the software from the executable file provided then click on the orange colored activate file.

Its as simple as that. :)

You can make sure its running in admin mode by right clicking on the applications executable file (or its shortcut) and selecting properties then from the window click on the compatibility tab. Near the bottom just above where it says Change settings for all users theres a section called Privilege Level. Make sure the Run this program as an administrator check box is checked.

not trials if you run as Guest may be so run as Administrator when you setup & fist run & it will be OK.

I have been watching and using alot of these free giveaways and seems since june alot of them have been regular trial offers where nothing works unless you pay for the full version.
What good are these if they fail to function as offered? it seems they just got someone to pass there software out for free so they can sell more full version.
This is unacceptable. If it has no free updates no support that is ok but if it don't work why give it away???

Ya, that author is pretty friendly. Email him and maybe he'd fix you up for free.

It seems to me, you know a lot.
Now you should make use of your knowledge.
"No free upgrades to future versions" means just that: "No free upgrades to future versions"!

A friendly question for help will always get a friendly answer of the other users in these forums, even when the question has been answered hundred times before.

In case of this special developer, I know him as very helpful and friendly. Did you ever ask him for help in a friendly manner?

graylox

see also: http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/11178

I should have known you would delete or close my thread.

I know perfectly well how to use GOTD and I did accept the download and ended up with a free trial. That's pretty tricky on ASB's part. I'm not blaming you, I'm blaming the developer.

I should have also known that Forums like these won't accept any negative publicity. Rather Communistic in my view.

Flash player has been updated many times, but that shouldn't affect the Sothink software, should it?
well its was ok for me.

I did check for the permissions reg keys, but they did not exist in that location. Mostly all that was there was window positions/size and first run info.
may be not look in the right place try words like Sothink Flash, Sothink if you can not find may be a Registry Cleaner got it ? the key have a # and a name on it like GOTD
registration??,license key ??,activation??
if you find it back it up.

I understand

Heh, I don't use Firefox ;) - I have it, but rarely open it. - Just use it when applications *require* it... or certain websites as well. I have 3 versions of Flash Installed [Internet Explorer, All Other Browsers, and 64-Bit Beta] - They are all installed to accommodate different areas of the system [64-Bit browsers & Windows Explorer, 32-Bit IE, and 32-Bit all other browsers]

I have IE9Beta that I use occasionally, but mostly I use Opera 11.00.
I have Chrome as well, but it hasn't been updated in probably 4-5 months ;)

Flash player has been updated many times, but that shouldn't affect the Sothink software, should it?

I have Macromedia Flash MX 2004 ^_^ but I am not familiar with Action Script, so... yeah I can't make my own flash buttons... [Macromedia Flash MX 2004 was installed in October, and the Sothink Giveaway was in November, so that won't affect it]

Hotdoge3, if I read what you were saying correctly, then yes, it does [did] run ok as non administrator after the Giveaway. Also, I did check for the permissions reg keys, but they did not exist in that location. Mostly all that was there was window positions/size and first run info.

if the reg key is ok way it not work missing files missing reg it run ok non administrator

you do need Flash Player for IE it not work off Firefox

So, what Sothink gives away the software, then tricks the user into thinking the software is no longer the full version, which actually makes the user [unknowingly] deactivate the software?

That seems very wrong. Why give away the software at all?

If I think about it, System Mechanic wouldn't have deleted the reg key, because it only deletes them if they are invalid references (the file doesn't exist any more)...

I am thinking I will for a while go back to my image menu then (I was using images/rollovers before flash) - That way I can update the site and not have that problem in Chrome...

hotdoge3, your post does not apply and also does not work. I have FULL control over my system, as I am the sole administrator. I also gave myself FULL admin rights long before this software was ever given away. Sorry, but no good. (I do not mean to be harsh, if I come off that way, I apologize, it's just that I'm not your standard user, I know what I'm doing)

My problem is simply that the program has been deactivated. It has not been upgraded or updated, or even opened for that matter (I opened it and found this problem, but before that I had only used it a few times after the giveaway was over, to make the menu for my site), and the program does not start with windows or have any scheduled updater. It has not been uninstalled or reinstalled, nor are any files missing. It simply is deactivated. It even still has the registration key from the giveaway when I try to open it.

http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/9256

check Premissios in the Registry Editor

Same here... Never had problems with their software before. Glad to know it's now just me though ;)

I'm also getting that opening screen that asks for activation.
Maybe something did happen to Sothink Flash Menu ...but it's hard to point a finger at the company if it's just the two of us.

Never had any problems with Sourcetec programs though ...so far.

I know about the chrome problem, I didnt make the frame big enough. I am going to eventually (when I have time) rewrite the site and completely remove all frames. (I used an image menu until the Sothink Flash Menu giveaway)

With the registration thing - I can ignore it (press cancel) and the program runs fine. The problem is that it runs as the trial version, and has all the limitations as such. (like I can only create a menu with 3 links, instead of a full flash menu)

I had not opened the program since November (sadly) due to being busy and having to work in Dreamweaver all the time with a class. Now the class is over and I have time to update my other "projects" and the software sadly does not work anymore...

Oh well, I guess I'll have to try to find something else... (don't have money to pay for programs right now ;) ) - Thanks for the comments guys (Thinking about it - It may have accidentally been deleted [the registration key] by System Mechanic Pro - It has been auto-cleaning my pc... though if it has been deleted, that doesnt explain why when I open the program it has the registration key - I just cant activate it because the giveaway has been over for a long time now. - Guess I'll just have to uninstall (or use it as the trial...)

Sry bout your problems oh and on a related note if the second link in your menu is a dropdown which I think it is...it completely fails in Google Chrome

Hi, I am posting about a software that was given away back in November (Sothink Flash Menu). It worked great and was a really good program. I was trying to open the program today and when it opened, it showed a registration screen and it had Giveawayoftheday as the name and it also had the license key. I hit enter to submit the code, and it said that it had expired. If I close that window, the program loads, but it is the trial version, limited to 3 links only.

As proof that I do have it and have used it, you can visit my site here. The top menu was made in that program back in November. Why now all of the sudden am I not allowed to access the program? (notice that there are MORE than 3 links that work, indicating it was not the trial)

I have NOT updated it, uninstalled it, or reinstalled it. I have not reinstalled my computer or anything like that either. I do not understand - it simply does not work fully any more. Anyone else having this problem? (I can also post screenshots if necessary - not sure if anything can really be done about it, but I am really disappointed right now...)

Oddly, when I tried the trial version, I couldn't find a place to insert a registration key. I think the developer could be clearer in that aspect. Anyone want to send them an email?

To those who have the unregistered problem; you could try
Emailing the developer giving them some story about finance restrictions but you though the package was wonderful being sure to mention how upset your children are. Sometimes developers will give away registration codes if you seen genuine enough.

Not that I'm suggesting you be dishonest. I’ve got loads of software for free after emailing the developers. Usually I’ve already purchased something but it has either gone wrong or I did something wrong. For example I was so impressed with Wire Changer a giveaway going way back to early 2007. It gave the XP desktop toys similar to ones you can get for Vista plus loads more, but this was released before Vista. I lost it shortly after installing it so decided to purchase it. I stupidly bought one of their other products called Wire Keys so contacted them. They happily gave me a registration code for Wire Changer and said keep the code for wire keys. I wrote to a well known game distributor/developer asking if they would sell me several games at a discount because I didn't think the games were worth full price (all the games were at least 2 to 3 years old and some older. they actually gave me all the titles for free and then gave me a permanent 50% discount voucher for all future games (They asked me not to mention their name) Another developer I wrote to congratulating them on one of their games I'd purchased (then contacted me to say I forgot to tell him what other game I wanted because at the time of my order he had a special on which enabled me to choose from a few of their other games. At the same time he said I could have registration codes for all his games if I wished (Instead I suggested that I beta test his latest game, which I did and got a free game for doing it. I'd already purchased most of his other games all of which I really liked. I said I'd much rather pay for his games because I though they were worth the money. (I do believe in paying as the money goes into R&D for more and better games). :) I’ve also beta tested for loads of other developers some of which are generous and give the software away or for example in the case of AaaaAAAaaaAAAAaaa: A Disregard for Gravity I got another game on top of the beta tested game (because the only way to get on the beta testing team was to pre-order the game.

Advanced System Care had a special on a few months ago, where they were giving away so many copies of their program. By the time I contacted them I'd missed the offer. they send a really nice letter apologizing, so I replied saying I though the product was really good, but I couldn't afford the discount that they had included with the Email. They promptly sent me a full version registration code. I did the same with Eaz-Fix another excellent program, though I was asking for a discount because I couldn't afford the latest price. (It had gone up significantly since the giveaway two years ago, guess what, yes, they gave me a full version for free. I could go on giving you more examples of developers generosity, but I won’t as I'm sure you get the picture. :)

<sigh> I do have the registered version installed on my computer right now, but I can't distribute it. I might see if I can get the trial to reset or something, if the mods allow me to post it.

(I think I should fire an email to the developer...)

Same problem here, I have a very disappointed 4 yearold grandson. And a very annoyed grandad typing this.

The original package actually contained a perma-activated executable, while the new package was just the standard trial package.

I guess I can chalk it up to live and learn.
I just checked the original page for it and it didn't say trial, but I didn't check the About menu after installing. I'll be sure to do that from now on.

It was an easy one to install, just a readme.txt that said to click setup.exe so there was no extra steps.
I haven't used a registry cleaner since building this computer last summer.

Thanks for the reply.

EDIT: GMMan--I didn't see your post or I would have commented there, sorry for making another one.

I actually made a post about it. See here: http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/7068

Their repackage was a trial instead of a full version. Lazy lazy developer (or just plain confused).

None of the giveaways are trials so long as you registered them properly. Did you check to see if it was a full version when you installed it last month? Using registry cleaners can also cause the loss of registration in some cas.

It always pays to make sure its saying its the full version, usually by checking the help menu where you'll often find an about button that will say whether its registered to the giveaway project.

There's nothing I can suggest that will enable you to reregister the program. I didn't bother with this giveaway so can't say whether there was an activation module or an activation code given with the software.

My child tried to fire up KidCoaster this morning only to find out that it's locked down with a Purchase Now button on the screen.
I now have a very disappointed child. I don't remember this giveaway as being labeled a trial.

Sorry to hear about that,hotdoge3.
Over here Driver Magician is still registered even after doing a live database update.

Come to think of it ,over here a few days ago Chameleon Startup Manager unregistered itself somehow.LOL.
Oh well..

Driver Magician has been generous with giveaways, & i don't usually criticize for what may simply be caused by a registry clean, an unintended update, not properly registered, etc....

in this case, it seems to be a recurring problem...there are other comments, but this is the thread i remember:
http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/4076

sorry, Driver Magician...

: (

Did you do a registy clean recently? If so, did you do a backup, and if you did, try restoring to that backup. Hopefully that will fix it :P