Are there any services that allow you to place advertising in Windows software? I want to give away my software for free but still need to eat!
A:
It is, of course, trivial to put a fixed collection of adverts into your code. The trouble comes if you want to sell eyeballs and have the ads change. Then the code has to go talk over the network to get new adds.
Many people would have a name for this: adware. If people find you making network connections behind their back, as it were, they are likely to break out some more negative terms.
However, if you are completely open and honest about it when you offer the code for download, then your conscience might be clear.
Practically, you need to have code that makes a network connection to some site of yours, pulls the ad content, and displays it in some sort of annoying popup.
bmargulies
2009-11-25 13:59:56
It's only spyware if it collects and distributes information on the user's habits and software usage. If all it does is display ads, then it's adware, not spyware.
Erik Forbes
2009-11-25 14:03:16
Why is a program that periodically grabs new ads from an internet-based service "spyware"? What exactly is it spying on? The common understanding of the term "spyware" is that it's somehow spying on the activity of the user or computer, not that it connects to the internet.
delfuego
2009-11-25 14:04:08
a) modified. b) a program that semi-surreptitiously connects to the network, when it has no apparent reason to do so, is likely to be presumed guilty.
bmargulies
2009-11-25 14:05:42
A:
Check with individual affiliate programs to see if they allow links in applications.
You can also try the Freemium model: Turn on some extra features if they pay for your program.
Or link to your website for support information, instructions, etc., and place ads there.
Or offer an e-mail newsletter with updates, news, etc. Advertising in these is easier.
You can also ask this over at http://www.startups.com
John at CashCommons
2009-11-25 14:01:09