The Old Joel on Software Forum: Part 4 (of 5) - Showing Customer details on an application

Showing Customer details on an application

I would like to store the customer details after he has registered my shareware so the
application can shows at all time :

TurboCruncher is registered to John Smith
15th Avenue
Seattle, XXXXX
USA

Do you think it's a bad idea to display the customer details on my application at all time (maybe at the very bottom of the screen?)

Here's how I'm planning to proceed after the prospect has decided to purchase the shareware :

1/ User receive a serial No via e-mail
2/ User enter serial no.
3/ shareware application connect to a FTP site and download customer details(full address : user name/company name street, zip code,city, country)
4/ Customer details is stored in the application
questions : Should I modify the .EXE or store it into a DB (what's the best practice ?)

Snacky
Wednesday, April 14, 2004

It's a nuisance (maybe minor) to the legitimate user (who already knows this information).

njkayaker
Wednesday, April 14, 2004

In MS applications it often shows up on a splash screen, and possibly in th ebout file.

Yes, it is a very bad idea to have it showing all the time. what are you going to gain by annoying your customer?

Stephen Jones
Wednesday, April 14, 2004

I kind of get an icky feeling when I see that. Kind of a Big Brother over my shoulder kind of feeling.

Not that I don't trust you, but you don't need my city, street address, postal code, etc.

Edward
Wednesday, April 14, 2004

I have no problem with a program showing to whom it's registered in a spash screen or about box. That doesn't really affect my usage of the program, and it probably helps keep the honest people honest.

What I don't like at all is this part:
"3/ shareware application connect to a FTP site and download customer details(full address : user name/company name street, zip code,city, country)"

If you're putting my personal data on an ftp site, I would prefer not to do business with your company.

Emperor Norton
Wednesday, April 14, 2004

be sure to ask if it's ok to contact the net in the application. I hate it when applications try to phone home. They won't be able to usually because of the firewall.

pdq
Wednesday, April 14, 2004