Crippleware is any product whose functions have been limited (or "crippled", thus the name) with the express purpose of requiring the user to pay for those functions (either paying a one-time fee or continually paying a service). Crippleware is also used to describe software that makes use of Digital Rights Management. Digital rights management ( DRM) is a generic term that refers to Access control technologies used by hardware manufacturers publishers and Copyright holders Crippleware programs are usually free versions of computer programs that lack the most advanced (or in some cases, even crucial) features of the original program. Computer programs (also software programs, or just programs) are instructions for a Computer. Crippleware versions are made available in order to increase the popularity of the full program without giving it away for free. An example of crippleware is a word processor that cannot save or print.

There are several types of crippleware programs. A crippleware version can be the full program with the features disabled; this type can be "unlocked" into a fully functional version of the software, usually via a serial number. A serial number is a unique Number assigned for Identification which varies from its Successor or Predecessor by a fixed discrete Integer A crippleware version can also be a special trial version of the program that does not even include the executable code for the disabled features. In this case, only users who buy a license are given access to another version of the program, which is fully functional. A third type is where the functionality of the software or hardware is permanently compromised from full functionality due to third party agreements and a fourth is where the vendor includes a clause that features time limits or time-consuming nag screens to mar functionality.

For something to become crippleware, it usually requires the manufacturer or author to take active steps to reduce the capabilities that the hardware or software could otherwise handle. As can be inferred from the name, crippleware is generally not held in high regard. The authors of crippleware note that regular shareware versions are often cracked, so that the authors are not paid for their work. The term shareware, popularized by Bob Wallace, refers to Copyrighted commercial Software that is Distributed without payment on a trial Software cracking is the modification of Software to remove protection methods Copy prevention, trial/demo version serial number hardware key CD check Therefore, crippleware can be a solution to that problem. Ironically, crippleware tends to be cracked more frequently than other shareware as a result of demand. For this reason, most companies that are serious about crippleware have a separate trial version of the program. A disadvantage to crippleware compared to other trial software is that users cannot test the full program under real life conditions and therefore do not know whether it will truly meet their needs.

References

• Crippleware — a definition from Whatis.com
• Crippleware — a word definition from Webopedia

External links

• "Court order denying motion to dismiss of Melanie Tucker v. Apple Computer Inc. in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, San Jose Division"
• "Want an iPhone? Beware the iHandcuffs" New York Times article explicitly labeling iPhone OS as crippleware
• "Stealth plan puts copy protection into every hard drive"
• "Western Digital drive is DRM-crippled for your safety"
• "Western Digital's 'crippleware': Some lessons from history"

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