Tracker software are offering the 'Lite' version of their popular PDF-XChange software FREE for a limited time (normally $24.00usd).
[quote:99fa338j]For a limited time we are offering PDF-XChange Lite for FREE - no strings or catches, the only restriction being you must not use for business or commercial use in any way - so now all home users/students have access to a truly robust, 'industrial' strength PDF creation tool, for use with any Windows application - just open a document and 'Print' to PDF-XChange Lite to create your PDF files ![/quote:99fa338j]
Promotion page [url=http://www.tracker-software.com/product/pdf-xchange-lite:99fa338j]HERE.[/url:99fa338j] (Look under [b:99fa338j]Home/Academic Offer[/b:99fa338j]:)
Feature comparison chart for all versions [url=http://www.tracker-software.com/pdf-xchange-products-comparison-chart:99fa338j]HERE.[/url:99fa338j]
Thanks! I like the free viewer - this one can live in the toolkit for now.
Cheers, Ron
I decided to take a go at PDF-XChange Lite today. So, during installation I stumbled upon the following in the EULA (emphasis added by me):
[quote:3fhgar2s]4.Limited Warranty:
This Software [b:3fhgar2s]is not warranted against infringement of any third party patents[/b:3fhgar2s]. Tracker has done no investigation as to infringement, and [u:3fhgar2s]you agree[/u:3fhgar2s] that [b:3fhgar2s]you will assume the risk of any such infringement[/b:3fhgar2s] from your use of Software. [/quote:3fhgar2s]
Must say I wasn't happy with this - at all.
Why would Tracker Software need to include a clause like this in the EULA?
Any thoughts?
I am human
Hey FD - Yes, it is a rather strange one. If the software has been originally and fully developed by Tracker it would seem a tad superfluous.
I believe it may just be a precautionary clause to cover their own butts....a much simpler/easier solution than checking through all the Patents.
Anyway, I seriously doubt there would be any concerns for the end user; identifying and tracking down the myriads of individual users would be a logistical impossibility.
On a side note: I marvel at your attention to detail FD. I have never had the patience to read right through one of these long winded eulas.
Cheers now....Jim
Hi Jim,
The "precautionary clause to cover their own butts", as you put it, could be read as "I may be licensing you something I don't actually have the right to, yet I'll take your money and you're on your own" , sigh...
I find it distrurbing that a company that charges for licenses, places the responsibility of a potential (even if only theoretical) violation on the shoulders of the customers.
Most people won't read through the EULA, that's of course not the company's fault, but given all the fuss around this or that type of infrigement, including a clause like this is annoying, to say the least.
Reading through EULAs is not that time consuming. There's a pattern to them - the type and order of clauses, the wording/ phrasing, etc., almost like there's a universal template (maybe there is). After reading a few EULAs, you can tell which clauses you need to read thoroughly and which ones you can glance through.
Still, if you lack the patience to do so, EULAlyzer (by Javacool Software, you probably know it) is a great aid, besides the auto-analyzing, it allows you to search for terms you specify.
Cheers.
I am human
[quote:26zme2b3]could be read as "I may be licensing you something I don't actually have the right to[/quote:26zme2b3]
True FD and I must admit, on the face of it, it would appear Tracker are passing on the responsibility. But I don't think Tracker actually believe they have infringed on any copyrights.
Somewhere along the line, someone (probably a lawyer) has decided that, in these days of prolific litigation, it would be prudent for them to cover even the remotest possibility that some vague copyright may have been contravened. The most expedient method for achieving that would definitely be via a clause in the EULA.
Cheers....Jim
Hi,
This is a pretty generic Statement and I can confrim categorically that there is nothing to be concerned about - we use no 3rd party code or patent based content in PDF-XChange at all - we dont license anything from any 3rd party either - its 100% our own technology under the hood and frankly that phrase will not be in the next releases.
Hope that Helps
John VErbeeten
CEO
Tracker Software Products (Canada) Ltd
[quote="Stoufville99":mhc6pqme]Hi,
This is a pretty generic Statement and I can confrim categorically that there is nothing to be concerned about - we use no 3rd party code or patent based content in PDF-XChange at all - we dont license anything from any 3rd party either - its 100% our own technology under the hood and frankly that phrase will not be in the next releases.
Hope that Helps
John VErbeeten
CEO
Tracker Software Products (Canada) Ltd[/quote:mhc6pqme]
I just came to this thread to inform about the ongoing availability of this and was quite surprised to see a post from a Tracker Software representative, and of the highest rank, for that matter.
So, thank you for clarifying this and mostly for taking that clause out - even if it didn't mean anything, it did bother me that it was there.
In case you'll still coming over here, I have two questions:
1. PDF-XChange Lite seems to still be free - there's a "No commercial Release" choice just below the normal download choice. Does this mean you decided to offer a free version along side the commercial one, just as with the Reader?
2. The no commercial release comes bundled with the Reader, which is slightly annoying me as I do use the Reader (thanks for a great! free PDF reader) but its portable version. So, I have no use for the included Reader, which I choose not to install. But, the PDF-XChange Lite installer still creates a Reader folder which only contains ISTask.dll. Now, my two-parted question:
2.1 What is ISTask.dll for? Because, I deleted that folder and PDF-XChange Lite still works fine.
2.2 Any way to not get that folder at all?
Thanks ahead.
I am human
[quote="Flying Dutchman":14ma57oo][quote="Stoufville99":14ma57oo]Hi,
This is a pretty generic Statement and I can confrim categorically that there is nothing to be concerned about - we use no 3rd party code or patent based content in PDF-XChange at all - we dont license anything from any 3rd party either - its 100% our own technology under the hood and frankly that phrase will not be in the next releases.
Hope that Helps
John Verbeeten
CEO
Tracker Software Products (Canada) Ltd[/quote:14ma57oo]
I just came to this thread to inform about the ongoing availability of this and was quite surprised to see a post from a Tracker Software representative, and of the highest rank, for that matter.
So, thank you for clarifying this and mostly for taking that clause out - even if it didn't mean anything, it did bother me that it was there.
In case you'll still coming over here, I have two questions:
1. PDF-XChange Lite seems to still be free - there's a "No commercial Release" choice just below the normal download choice. Does this mean you decided to offer a free version along side the commercial one, just as with the Reader?
2. The no commercial release comes bundled with the Reader, which is slightly annoying me as I do use the Reader (thanks for a great! free PDF reader) but its portable version. So, I have no use for the included Reader, which I choose not to install. But, the PDF-XChange Lite installer still creates a Reader folder which only contains ISTask.dll. Now, my two-parted question:
2.1 What is ISTask.dll for? Because, I deleted that folder and PDF-XChange Lite still works fine.
2.2 Any way to not get that folder at all?
Thanks ahead.[/quote:14ma57oo]
Hi,
Thanks for your report - the ISTask.DLL is not required for PDF-XChange Lite - in the next service release I will ensure this is not installed and that the Folder is not created
There is a slight difference in the licnesing of the FRE PDF-XChange Viewer and the NON Commercial release of PDF-XChange Lite.
The FREE PDF-XChange Viewer is available for virtually any use - both commercial or NON Commercial use - provided it is not redistributed without permission or combined with a 'paid' for offer for Services or some other software application etc, again without permission (which we are unlikely to grant if its just a way for another developer/publisher to make money from our products etc)
Whereas PDF-XChange Lite is FREE for NON Commercial use only and may not be redistributed etc - at all.
Hope that helps
John V
Tracker
Hi John,
(hope it's ok to call you by your first name)
Thanks for the prompt reply and for
[quote:1bnyhhlx]in the next service release I will ensure this is not installed and that the Folder is not created[/quote:1bnyhhlx]
It always feels good to see developers care and listen to user feedback.
Also thanks for the clarification about the licensing differences, but it seems that I didn't make myself clear enough, so let me give it another try.
I wasn't trying to compare the licensing of Free PDF-XChange Viewer to the one of Free PDF-XChange Lite.
Seeing that Free PDF-XChange Lite is still available and gets updated, I was just wondering if Tracker Software decided to permanently offer this specific "No commercial Release" (for personal, private use) or if you just haven't decided yet when to end its distribution.
Thanks ahead.
I am human
Hi,
sure its good to call me John
and yes PDF-XChange Lite will be a permanent free product for non-commercial users
Cheers
[quote="Stoufville99":3ky2ei5e]and yes PDF-XChange Lite will be a permanent free product for non-commercial users [/quote:3ky2ei5e]
Looking forward to the next release.
And thanks for the prompt reply.
PDF-XChange Lite is small in size and easy to use. It works reasonably fast and doesn't mess up non English (latin) titles of files.
I'm still testing its capacity in terms of file size handling, as it turned a 1.3MB .doc file to a 380KB PDF (text only), but retained the original size of a .doc file that contains a few tables.
I'm a bit confused about the way it hanles .xls files.
I tried to make a PDF of a .xls file of totally 18 pages, spread across 7 sheets, by choosing to print the whole book. I got 2 PDF files, one containing the first 11 pages and one containing the rest.
Is there a limit or is this a bug?
I couldn't find anything about this in the Help File (PDF version, as the Help button in the About tab doesn't work), but I haven't searched your forum thoroughly yet.
Thanks ahead.
I am human
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