J. Ambrose Little

My preferences would be C, then B and then E.  For a demo that can have lasting effects even after I uninstall it (a very unfriendly practice) a VM copy would be mandatory for me.

I like to try out various products, and unfortunately, a great many of them do not live up to their marketing.  Therefore, I like to just download the basic package.  If it meets my needs and interests me then I download the help and whatever samples might be available.  If a product doesn't live up to what it claims or isn't what I was looking for, forcing me to download 500MB only to uninstall it is a quick way to make me never want to try another one of your products.  

If the trial and uninstall were a quick and pleasant experience (even if it wasn't what I wanted or a little to buggy) then I'm much more inclined to keep an eye on it and download it in the future.

As an owner (just reupped NetAdvantage.Net for the nth time) I would prefer the whole megillah, although having a shell available for a selective install is a nice option.  I always tuck the whole thing away for a rainy (internet-is-down) day that requires a reinstall, so I would always end up downloading that anyway.

I'd prefer 'A' to get the whole ball-o-wax. A half-gig is no big deal on broadband...start her goin' and go get a coffee...everything is there when you get back.

BUT, and it is a pretty big BUT, I strongly recommend you make your help files and/or user guides available separately. I don't even mind if they download with the huge package but I DON'T want to have to install the demo just to explore the help and/or user guides.

When I evaluate a tool my first stop is your web site, then your online samples, then your documentation and then, maybe your demo. I might get my questions answered and place my order without even installing the demo.

Regarding a product evaluation, I'd prefer an online VM environment for trying some basic features. If it turns out, that I like the product, I would go for a full donwload.

The reason for the VM is that I don't want to mess up my hdd with every piece of software I like to evaluate.

I prefer C, then B.

Thanks for asking.

To test product functionality and evaluating:

i would prefer D) a VM where i can test new features. would be great, without install. anything...

to get the new version i would prefer A)

download all, install all, i have all on my desktop!

I would Prefer A.

Get it download everyting and be ready before you start getting into the mood of evaluating. Let us say, you started with a tiny piece and it depends on something else and that depends on something else... it will go on forever till you endup downloading everything. This would leed to a frustration and may even give up in the middle.

I would rather have everything needed before even getting into that action and need not worry about not having something ready when you are in the middle of the work.

Thanks for the enquiry.

-- Sree