Vbox Builder (tm)
Version 4.0
Read Me
 

Vbox. The Virtual Box for selling software electronically.

Vbox (patents pending) builds on our TimeLOCK technology and extends it dramatically to provide software developers and publishers with the most flexible and secure solutions for packaging and selling products electronically-whether via CD-ROM, DVD, Web, or OEM deals-without requiring source code changes.


Vbox Builder Features

* Available free, without royalties 
* Flexible, secure trial versions of your software without source code changes 
* Limited or unlimited trials based upon uses, time and dates, including a master expiration date 
* Ability to sell directly via your Web site, CD-ROM, DVD or any other digital medium 
* Opportunity to sell via online resellers like CNET's BUYDIRECT.COM, Netscape's Software Depot by software.net, eWarehouse, and any other reseller you choose 
* 100% trial registration via your own Web site 
* 64-bit, export approved RSA encryption 
* Corporate and product branding of your Virtual Box with logos, URLs and product information 
* Ability to add e-commerce options at any time in the future easily and quickly 


System Requirements

To use Vbox Builder for Windows 95 or Windows NT, Preview recommends the following minimum hardware configuration:

* A Pentium- or 586-based system 
* 32 MB of system memory (RAM) 
* 8 MB of available hard disk space 
* SVGA or higher-resolution display (800 x 600 at 256 colors or greater recommended) 
* Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device 
* Dial-up or LAN-based Internet connection 


Installation Instructions

1. Download Vbox Builder at http://www.previewsoft.com/downloads/. The file VboxBuilder.exe will appear on your system. 
2. Double-click on the VboxBuilder.exe icon to open the Installer. 
3. Read the Software License. If you agree with the terms and conditions, click Accept. 
4. A Welcome screen will appear. Click Next to continue with the installation. 
5. If you want Vbox Builder installed in a C:\Program Files\Vbox Builder\ directory, simply click Next to continue. If you want to install Vbox Builder elsewhere on your system, click Browse to select a different directory, then click Next to continue. 
6. The Installer is now ready to complete the installation of Vbox Builder. Click next to begin the installation. 
7. The files are installed. When you see the message that the installation was successful, click Finish. 


QuickStart Resources

To help you get started, Preview Software offers online QuickStart resources to assist you with Vbox Builder, all available at http://www.previewsoft.com/quickstart/:

* Vbox Builder Checklist 
A list of the information and optional graphics you'll need to quickly and easily get the most out of Vbox Builder.

* Step-by-Step Guide to Using Vbox Builder 
A detailed guide to using Vbox Builder that walks you through the process of Vboxing your software with step-by-step instructions and accompanying screen shots.


Support Resources

In addition to the built-in help, Preview Software provides online support resources, all available at http://www.previewsoft.com/support/. If you still require assistance or would like to provide feedback to Preview on Vbox Builder, contact Preview Software at support@previewsoft.com. If you have encountered a problem, please include the following information:

* Describe your system configuration, including operating system, processor and speed, and system memory. 
* Provide detailed instructions for recreating the problem and whether or not it is reproducible. 
* Provide any additional information you feel would be helpful in diagnosing and resolving the problem. 


What's New in Vbox Builder 4.0?

To find out more about What's New in Vbox Builder 4.0, visit: http://www.previewsoft.com/products/

* Vbox Builder 4.0 works with single or multiple .exe, .dll, and .ocx files to allow software developers and publishers to create RSA-encrypted secure trial versions of 32-bit software applications without cost or hassle. You can then use these trial versions as demos for marketing purposes, for beta releases of software, for OEM channels and more. 
* Vbox Builder prepares applications for distribution by online resellers. In addition, secure trial Vboxes are "reseller ready". Major online resellers such as BUYDIRECT.COM, or Netscape Software Depot by software.net can take Vboxed applications from you, and using Vbox Commerce Builder, add e-commerce capabilities when authorized by you. 
* Once applications are Vboxed, they are upwardly compatible with future releases of Vbox Commerce Builder, which will enable such additional functionality as software rentals, one-to-one marketing, and more. 
* Vbox Builder provides you with significant screen real estate to brand the product and your company in customers' minds, and it also enables you to link directly to a URL to bring the customer to your Web site. Company and product information can be provided in an "About This Product" dialog to help provide additional marketing information. 
* Vbox also features trial user registration that goes directly to your Web site, not through a clearinghouse, and support for trials based on the number of hours the application is used (in addition to the standard trial parameters of days, executions, a specific date, etc.). In addition, Vbox encrypts and compresses the entire application, meaning that it is smaller on the customer's hard disk. 


Limitations

At this time, Vbox Builder cannot be used with the following types of executables:

* Applications which are authenticoded. Since Vbox Builder's state-of-the-art security is a form of authentication, your own authentication code no longer needs to be included if you are using Vbox 
* Applications written in MS Visual FoxPro, because FoxPro secures its executables against modification 
* Applications without a user interface (i.e., server extensions), since Vbox cannot display its interface to guide the user through the trial or purchase process 
* Applications that have export entries in the header of the executable file that must remain unmodified 
* Applications which require a serial number to install (unless Vbox Commerce Builder is used to provide a purchase-only Vbox or a "trial" serial number is provided with the product) 
* Device drivers 

In addition, the way in which an application uses the .exe, .dll, or .ocx file may indirectly impact Vbox Builder's ability to protect it:

* Executables that are modified during an install process or run prior to the completion of the Windows operating system start, unless you choose to make some modifications to the install/uninstall utility or use the Vbox Builder API (may be purchased separately) 
* A component of an application cannot be launched if another component of that application has the Vbox Client dialog open at the same time 

Finally, while Vbox Commerce Builder can provide Purchase-Only protection for non-executable and data files, Vbox Builder does not yet support Try-Before-You-Buy functionality for non-executable files.


Known Problems

Please be aware of the following minor problems using Vbox Builder. While they do not impact the use of Vbox Builder or the resulting Vboxes, we publish them here for your convenience:

* You must have a Vbox Privilege File, available free from the Preview Software Web site. Do not attempt to use Privilege Files from TimeLOCK as they may cause the Vbox Builder to quit. 
* Attempting to Vbox an application without providing all required information will not work and may cause errors during the build process. 
* Entering invalid trial limits does not produce an error message during the build process. 
* If you choose to use Trial Registration, you must enter a valid CGI URL or the Vboxed application will fail when it attempts to register and the customer will not be able to begin a trial of your application. 
* Vbox Builder works best at 800 x 600 resolution at 256 colors or greater. 
 
Updated March 31, 1998

Copyright Notice
(c) 1998 Preview Software, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Vbox, Vbox Builder, and Vbox Commerce Builder are trademarks of Preview Software. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
