Newt Registration

Contents

Shareware vs. Freeware, or What do you get?

Newt is my first shareware offering. I debated whether to cripple this version by not allowing you to save any or many methods or to quit automatically after awhile if you had not registered, but I decided that I would rather spend my time figuring out how to add new functionality rather than disable existing features.

Registered users can download* files via http(web) or ftp for the latest versions of packages, additional development plug-ins (listed in plugins.txt), 200+ source examples (listed in examples.htm), and a 80+ page manual** (Acrobat format) describing Newt features and NewtonScript syntax and functions.

As a registered user, you also receive additional packages (Sloup, beta and native versions of Newt, NewtPack), other information (Q&A documents, tutorials), patches for bugs (though there aren't many), notification about upcoming releases and examples, priority in answers to questions, and feedback on your applications (as time permits). Finally, registration encourages me to continue development of Newt and other shareware packages, and provides immediate relief for you of the insidious "shareware procrastination guilt syndrome".

*File Formats: I assume you already have a decompression utility (StuffitExpander on Mac; PKUNZIP on PC) that can handle archive passwords; your utility needs to be able to handle ..sit.hqx or .zip text encoding.

**Electronic Documentation: Since the documentation is rapidly growing and changing, it has become impractical to provide a paper manual currently. Documentation is available initially as Acrobat files (with bookmarks, hypertext links; searchable; printable). I am creating HTML versions of the documentation (using WebMaker to convert from FrameMaker), and Newton Books (using Newt's Cape from HTML). In the future, if there's enough demand, a paper manual might be available for an additional charge; other specific formats like Microsoft Word and DocViewer are not likely since Acrobat, HTML and NewtonBooks should be more useful, common and portable.

When you register, I email* you the location and password for the current "registered" files.

*Email: If you provide me your preferred email address, it's easier for me to clarify options with you, and keep you informed about upcoming releases, examples, etc.

If after a few days of trial use of Newt, NewtATut, etc., you find Newt useful and would like to continue using it with a clear conscience and have the additional benefits just mentioned, please stop procrastinating and register. I know this sounds like a pledge break for National Public Television/Radio, but that is the kind of user participation and support that shareware deserves and needs. If you are still not ready to register, don't be afraid to send email -- to ask more about what Newt already provides or tell me what it should have. Knowing users are out there, with some occasional words of encouragement and praise, are important. Money confirms that, covers some costs, and helps justify spending a little more time on Newt in preference to other family or business pursuits.

Registration, Upgrade Fees

To register, it's now $25 (or $10 for a student) via PayPal

Online Viewers & Acrobat

Since the documentation is rapidly growing and changing, it's impractical for me to provide a paper manual. There are many benefits to an electronic version:

more information

more useful

more easily