Software Support

Keys to Effective Split Testing

Mon, 19 May 2008 09:00:00 -0400

Follow these steps to conduct an effective A-B split test that generates valuable tracking data...

Keys to Effective Split Testing

Software Subscriptions

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 09:00:00 -0400

Subscription-based software, otherwise known as SaaS (Software As A Service), is becoming an increasingly popular model for software. Many developers have taken to the recurring subscription fee revenue model, but there are a number of subscription-related issues that developers struggle with. RegNet specializes in ecommerce for subscription services, and they have worked together with software developers to address and resolve many of these issues and problems.

Software Subscriptions

Tips for Software Upgrades

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 09:00:00 -0400

Software upgrades can be a lucrative opportunity for software developers, or they can be a support nightmare. Here are some software upgrade tips to help make the process pain-free and profitable.

Tips for Software Upgrades

How To Support Software

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 09:00:00 -0500

Software support can be a huge obstacle for an independent software developer. MicroISVs often struggle to balance the time demands of marketing, support, and development. After all, time is limited, and if much of that time is absorbed by support, then development and marketing may suffer. The truth is that support is a necessity, and an unsupported application will gradually fade away. Follow these support tips to help manage your support queries...

How to Support Software

Separate Downloads for Registered Versions

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 09:00:00 -0500

Protecting software from hackers can be a challenge, even for the best software developers. It can be a daunting proposition to find a protection solution that is effective, without being inconvenient or frustrating for legitimate customers. One solution that MicroISVs employ is using separate versions to protect their software from hackers.

Separate Download for Registered Customers

What is Software Piracy?

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 09:00:00 -0500

Software piracy refers to the unauthorized duplication and use of computer software. Software developers work hard to develop solid software programs. If those applications are pirated and stolen, the software developers will often be unable to generate the revenue required to continue supporting and expanding those applications. The effects of software piracy impact the entire global economy. The reduced revenues often divert funding from product development, and result in less research and less investment in marketing. In 2007, economists indicated that software piracy cost the industry $39.6 billion.

What is Software Piracy

How to Deal with Software Support Issues

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 09:00:00 -0500

Regardless of your size or success, there will always be a few customers who are a challenge. Sadly, challenging customers are a fact of life for even the most successful businesses, and its no surprise that small businesses are often reluctant to establish guidelines on how to deal with challenging customers.

All businesses make mistakes. How we act when those mistakes occur is what defines the business. Handling an error or misjudgement in a skillful way can often turn a negative customer experience into a positive one. But there are occasionally incidents when the customer's expectations are simply not reasonable or realistic.

How to Deal with Software Support Issues

Software Beta Testing Tips

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 09:00:00 -0500

Software developers spend vast amounts of time creating a great application, but often seem to stumble when it comes to conducting proper beta testing. Follow these simple steps to help insure that the launch of a new product will be as smooth as it can be...

Software Beta Testing Tips

How to Localize Software

Mon, 3 Dec 2007 09:00:00 -0500

Translating software into multi-lingual versions can be a cumbersome task. Often, developers will turn to software publishers that specialize in specific geographical regions to manage foreign language versions of the software.

Keep in mind that if you have a foreign language version, you must provide marketing materials, web copy, and product support in the foreign language in order for it to have a chance at success. As a result, many MicroISVs find software localization a daunting task. This usually means opportunity and less competition.

How to Localize Software

Increase Efficiency - Save Time - Become More Productive

Tue, 4 Sep 2007 09:00:00 -0400

It is difficult for a small software company to be everything to everyone. With that in mind, knowing how to most effectively use time and increase efficiency will enhance the productivity and profitability of a small business. Use these tips to maximize your time:

Increase Efficiency - Save Time - Become More Productive

How to Reduce Support

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 09:00:00 -0400

Technical support can make either make or break an application's success. The best way to manage technical support is to reduce it as much as possible.

How to Reduce Support

How to Charge for Support

Mon, 6 Aug 2007 09:00:00 -0400

Corporate customers are not only willing to pay for support they are accustom to it. Large companies like IBM, Adobe and Microsoft have had paid support options for their software in place for years.

If your product targets Enterprise Clients consider implementing a paid support option to earn additional revenue.

How to Charge for Support

How to Setup a Support Forum

Tue, 31 Jul 2007 09:00:00 -0400

Forums are a great tool for software developers communicating with customers and potential customers. Installation and maintenance are generally easy and long term forums can help reduce technical support.

How to Setup a Support Forum

How to Reproduce Customer Problems

Tue, 24 Jul 2007 09:00:00 -0400

Invariably customers will report problems and in order to fix the issues, it is best to reproduce them.

How to Reproduce Customer Problems

How to Conduct Effective Beta Testing

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 09:00:00 -0400

The first testing should occur in house with different operating systems and different hardware configurations. An alpha version may not yet contain all of the planned features, and may lack documentation, Use virtual systems or test drives to fully test software with various operating systems and patches.

How to Conduct Effective Beta Testing

Submit Beta Software

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 09:00:00 -0400

There are a number of resources setup to assist with beta testing.

Submit Beta Software

How and Why You Should Sign Code

Wed, 11 Jul 2007 09:00:00 -0400

As users have adopted newer operating systems the warnings for downloading non-code signed applications are becoming more extreme.

Digitally signing code not only removes the warnings that users see it: instills confidence in the downloader, shows professionalism and provides developers a competitive advantage.

How and Why You Should Sign Code

How to Create a PAD File

Mon, 9 Jul 2007 09:00:00 -0400

PAD stands for Portable Application Description, it was created in by a developer and purchased by the Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP) a number of years ago. The ASP maintain the specification and provide it to developers free of charge. The PAD file of an application maintains relevant information related to the application in the PAD format.

How to Create a PAD File

Why Sign a PAD File

Wed, 4 Jul 2007 08:59:01 -0400

As the PAD specification have grown, nefarious webmasters have been known to "hijack" pad files. These nefarious webmasters create or modify existing PAD files for software applications and list their website's URLs rather than the manufacturers website. The bad webmasters do this to garner additional incoming website links. In an effort to combat PAD hijacking the Association of Shareware Professionals who is responsible for maintaining the PAD specification, have added a code signing option to PAD.

Why Sign a PAD File