Heya. First of all, I must say, I've been following LLBLGen for about 6 months now, and although I have yet to get the opportunity to use it in production, I have been salivating the entire time.

I have been trying to get my company to use it (they have an unfounded fear of ORM, only recently was I able to even get approved use of CodeSmith!) for months now, but can only assert myself in cycles. The last time I worked up a demo to demonstrate the advantages to them was months ago.

I have another opportunity to use the demo against a database here to make my case for using the tool, but a problem... I downloaded the latest demo to give it another go, but it says my trial period has expired (I assume from the installation of the previous version I had installed months back).

I have no idea where in the registry or filesystem LLBLGen is storing the install date to enforce the trial functionality, but if it's possible to email me a way to reset it on my workstation, I'd greatly appreciate it.

I want to stress I am not trying to snow Frans over here... I just need my demo to work again in the hopes of convincing my misguided management to purchase/use it. I can be reached at (dmace at prequelsolutions dot com). Thanks, and keep up the good work. Hopefully I can use it to enhance my OWN work here sometime

ironcladlou wrote:

Heya. First of all, I must say, I've been following LLBLGen for about 6 months now, and although I have yet to get the opportunity to use it in production, I have been salivating the entire time.

I have been trying to get my company to use it (they have an unfounded fear of ORM, only recently was I able to even get approved use of CodeSmith!) for months now, but can only assert myself in cycles. The last time I worked up a demo to demonstrate the advantages to them was months ago.

Hmm... Yeah, a lot of organisations are somewhat conservative about O/R mapping and doing things 'differently'. But it always helps to show them you'll save a lot of time, which will make them save a lot of money, which every organisation loves to hear

I have another opportunity to use the demo against a database here to make my case for using the tool, but a problem... I downloaded the latest demo to give it another go, but it says my trial period has expired (I assume from the installation of the previous version I had installed months back).

I have no idea where in the registry or filesystem LLBLGen is storing the install date to enforce the trial functionality, but if it's possible to email me a way to reset it on my workstation, I'd greatly appreciate it.

I of course can't tell you how the protection works You could try to install it (the designer) on a different machine, create a project, generate the code and work with the generated code on your own machine, as the generated code isn't time limited. If that's not working (but please try first) I can build a special lock down version with a fixed end date for you, but I'd like to ask you to first try it to install it on another machine.

Otis wrote:

Hmm... Yeah, a lot of organisations are somewhat conservative about O/R mapping and doing things 'differently'. But it always helps to show them you'll save a lot of time, which will make them save a lot of money, which every organisation loves to hear

It was a hotbed issue when I first started here, to the point of an employee actually leaving due to the friction he created trying to implement ORM and good OO practices. Things have loosened up considerably since then (unfortunately, as the friend who left was the most capable software engineer here and in fact one of the friendliest people I've ever met).

I am just trying to ween them onto it...

Otis wrote:

I of course can't tell you how the protection works

A mystery! Sounds like a friendly challenge!

Otis wrote:

You could try to install it (the designer) on a different machine, create a project, generate the code and work with the generated code on your own machine, as the generated code isn't time limited. If that's not working (but please try first) I can build a special lock down version with a fixed end date for you, but I'd like to ask you to first try it to install it on another machine.

No no no, please do not waste your time with a special build. You have enough on your plate. I will hunt down another workstation and do it there. It's just not as easy as it sounds here.... but I will do it. Just thought I'd ask. I didn't know you had it under such tight reigns (which is perfectly fine).

Even though my company doesn't use it, I can say that I have introduced the tool to several friends working in other companies who are embracing it... and one of the biggest draws to the software other than the fact that it rocks, is the unreasonably high quality of customer service. You can see that without even being a customer. Lurking here and on the http://asp.net forums for a very long time (reading your posts and debates with Thona, Wilson, and that whole crowd on the Architecture topic) is how I was introduced to ORM (finding out the Java camp has had it for years was depressing ). I have always been impressed with your candor and friendliness towards others, as well as your passion/expertise in field.

Like I said, aside from the quality of the app itself, my friends and their orgs who have been taking an interest in LLBLGen are genuinely appreciative of the "more than fair" pricing and most importantly your person-to-person interaction with the community and your customers.

One of the few software packages left which has "the personal touch", you know?

Anyway, I'm ranting. I will let you know if I make any headway this time (and will let you know privately if I figure out your protection scheme, lol). Thanks again!

ironcladlou wrote:

Otis wrote:

You could try to install it (the designer) on a different machine, create a project, generate the code and work with the generated code on your own machine, as the generated code isn't time limited. If that's not working (but please try first) I can build a special lock down version with a fixed end date for you, but I'd like to ask you to first try it to install it on another machine.

No no no, please do not waste your time with a special build. You have enough on your plate. I will hunt down another workstation and do it there. It's just not as easy as it sounds here.... but I will do it. Just thought I'd ask. I didn't know you had it under such tight reigns (which is perfectly fine).

Ok

Even though my company doesn't use it, I can say that I have introduced the tool to several friends working in other companies who are embracing it... and one of the biggest draws to the software other than the fact that it rocks, is the unreasonably high quality of customer service. You can see that without even being a customer. Lurking here and on the http://asp.net forums for a very long time (reading your posts and debates with Thona, Wilson, and that whole crowd on the Architecture topic) is how I was introduced to ORM (finding out the Java camp has had it for years was depressing ). I have always been impressed with your candor and friendliness towards others, as well as your passion/expertise in field.

Thanks!

Like I said, aside from the quality of the app itself, my friends and their orgs who have been taking an interest in LLBLGen are genuinely appreciative of the "more than fair" pricing and most importantly your person-to-person interaction with the community and your customers. One of the few software packages left which has "the personal touch", you know?

Yes, I try to keep the lines as short as possible, between customer and developer.