Looks like a good piece of software
If it could only open/save, etc., *.pub files from Microsoft Publisher I'd try it out.
I wonder if it's the same Kingsoft Corporation (China) that makes the freeware Kingsoft Free Antivirus?
I have downloaded it.
It has a Digital Signature naming the creator as
Zhuhai Kingsoft Office Software Co.,Ltd.
I have some concern that it is a free trial.
I await a reply from support to my query about time or function restriction
Searching for a PORTABLE version I had many results,
some were warez cracks and probably some torrrents,
The only site I could trust was Softpedia,
but Google mistook Portable in PDF as meaning Portable Software.
I came on this user review comment dated March 2009
Kingsoft Office can be tried for 100 days, so one can get a complete notion of what this programme is in deed. A useful tool in household...
Ew, office stuff.
It is alleged that after installing this you can move your clock to 2013 and it becomes a viewer only.
I do not know if this also happens next year or next month.
A screen shot shows thanks for using Trial, and a serial number box to continue use.
see post #14 at
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=307009
Alan
I hope this isn't going to turn out to be a 'not free' software even though it says it is.
I'll try and find out more info.
It's trialware krap, nice MS Office knock-off and PDF converter though.
Anyone tried Open Office yet??
Richard S.
It's trialware krap
So it's a bait and switch tactic then, hope nobody is dumb enough to buy it then!
Edit: I've changed the topic title since it really isn't "freeware".
The same kind of thing happened to the new version of IcoFX. Filehippo lists it as freeware but it's really trialware. $59US. Kinda steep for my tastes.
I didn't know IcoFX went to being a commercial app. I've deleted my bookmark to the site, it's a very good icon tool but at $59 it's just way too much, now to archive the last free version v1.6.4, which FIleHippo still has here.
That's the free version I'm keeping.
Looks like it is freeware, the saga goes on
Read from post 33 in this thread. Three people have now received replies from Kingsoft about this question
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=306599&page=2
Edit the thread title back Andavari!
Edit the thread title back Andavari!
Done!
Although I laughed at that email as it wasn't to be posted anywhere, top secret o.k. now lets post it on a forum.
I didn't know IcoFX went to being a commercial app. I've deleted my bookmark to the site, it's a very good icon tool but at $59 it's just way too much, now to archive the last free version v1.6.4, which FIleHippo still has here.
Sharp eye! I downloaded the last free version from there, & added an - last free to the file name so I will know!
Sometimes they change up on us!
I have exchanged emails with KingFisher. Relevant extracts are :-
Me :
Is there any restriction on functionality or duration of use ?
Melissa :
Kingsoft Office Suite Free 2012 is a free version, and there is no restriction on functionality.
Me :
There has been concern on some forums over an image of a pop-up when the clock was set to 2013.
.....
The interpretation is that after a period of free and fully functional use it has crippled capability until a valid serial number is purchased and entered.
Melissa :
Kingsoft Office Suite Free 2012
is a free version. In the future, we will launch a paid version which contains more practical features on our official website
(
.)
. We sincerely invite you to use the new version of Kingsoft Office.
My interpretation :-
It is free but better features are under development for a commercial product.
We can expect bugs to be fixed whilst we are using what could be a Beta release of the commercial product.
I remain uncertain about duration of "full functionality".
Questions are raised by the image that Redhawk posted above.
I was a Beta tester for a backup application.
During the development cycle I discovered that password protected backups could not be unlocked.
Even had the problem not been fixed, I would have lost nothing because I had fully independent backups.
Suggestion - think twice before you password protect your only copy of a PDF etc.
Perhaps you need unprotected backups.
N.B. Mellisa is a nice lady - her emails do not obligate me to secrecy.
The problem with Beta testing software that has a free grace period which eventually turns into a Paid version is you could possible be left in the dark without a freeware version at the end of that testing period, or a very crippled freeware version that doesn't do much to warrant using it, I've seen it countless times with cherished software. But they've gotta pay bills and eat too!
Sent this email query earlier today. Trying to get past possible language barriers. Will post back the answer when it comes.
1. Is the version I have now (ver. 8.1.0.2942) designed to change it's functionality at a time in the future? That means, is it designed to revert to a limited version?
I have now downloaded and installed this software in a virtual Windows 7 Ultimate x32 in VMPlayer under Windows 7 Ultimate x64.
I had a once in a lifetime need to highlight differences between two columns - like wot Windows 95 did ! !
It failed - could not do that.
Then I set the date forward by 2 years and as has been reported, I could choose to use Viewer mode or to
"Input serial Nummber" [sic] - not my mistake.
Viewer mode is a bit crippled.
I could select a cell but not type anything into the cell, but I could type into the formula box at the top.
"Input serial Nummber" is very broken - nothing happens.
I tried the link to the "Kingston Online Store" to see what would happen.
It took me to a 404 not found at
http://www.kingsofts...ay/payment.html
I guess that this is a futuristic link that will be completed when they have released the commercial product ,
so payment can may be possible at that time.
I shut down Kingsoft and I wound the date back to today and restarted.
Kingfisher code is faultless at detecting fraudulent calendar manipulation.
I can only determine the actual critical date if I purge this virtual machine and re-install Kingsoft.
Life is too short.
Not going to answer, I guess. 12 September
They answered
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showpost.php?p=1937010&postcount=48
It's definately freeware.
I've installed it, and am using it on another machine and it is working great.