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From: CMCDONALD@WSMR-SIMTEL20.ARMY.MIL (Chris McDonald)
Newsgroups: comp.virus
Subject: VPCScan Demo Version (PC)
Message-ID: <0010.9103281641.AA28811@ubu.cert.sei.cmu.edu>
Date: 27 Mar 91 18:49:57 GMT
Sender: Virus Discussion List <VIRUS-L@LEHIIBM1>
Lines: 32
Approved: krvw@sei.cmu.edu

As a registered user of Ross Greenberg's program Flu-Shot+, I received
a demonstration version of VPCScan of the commercial program Virex-PC
bundled within version 1.8 of Flu-Shot+.  I used the demonstration for
several days, and then purchased the full commercial product.

Since I routinely evaluate security-related software products for my
agency, I had occasion to run the demonstration version on Tuesday, 26
March since I wanted to compare its feature against the actual
commercial product.  I received the following message prior to the
execution of the demo: "This demonstration expires in 6 days."  This
morning I ran the demo again, and the counter was down to "5 days".  I
am waiting with anticipation to see what happens on April 1st.

I must note that the read.me file contained within Flu-Shot+ which
described the demo at no time indicated a shelf life.  In fact, the
file states: "This demo may be distributed freely, but may not be sold
without the express written permission of Microcom, Inc. and Ross M.
Greenberg."  I have no objection to someone offering a demo, or in
encouraging that someone "freely" distribute it under the vendor's
instructions.

I would think that it sure would have been nice to have included some
type of statement in the read.me file alerting REGISTERED, fee paying
customers of Flu-Shot+ of the demo's expiration date--particularly
when it appears April 1st is the drop-dead date.

Since I know Ross has access to this forum, I would simply like to ask
if this was a designed feature on his and Microcom's part, or whether
I perhaps have a "hacked" version of Flu-Shot+.

Chris Mc Donald
cmcdonald@wsmr-simtel20.army.mil