Releasing your software

Releasing your software
Please feel free to correct my text and add anything I have missed.

Are you ready to release your program? You properlyprobably have not included all the things that a program needs to be successful especially whenif you are considering selling it. I have listed things that it is best to include when releasing your program to make it more successful.

First off you need to test your program. This is not just simply using running the program and using it to see if it works. You have to do everything and anything the users could do. Also try to break the program by doing things wrong. This way you will eliminate as many bugs as possible. After this you should give your program to other people to test theytest.  People other than yourself are likely to find more bugs. Also when the program is releasedreleased, it is best to have a method by which people can tell you about bugs they find.

Now you need to consider what other files are needed by the program makeprogram.  Make sure all thesesthese files are in the right place and that they are the right files.

A help file/manual is a must have. In the help file/manual theirthere must be information on how to use the program. The help file/ manual will also have steps on what to do if the program is not working properly. Some answers to problems can be included in the help file if they are commonly occurring problems. A question and answer section is also goodsection, generally called a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section, helps to includemake your help file/manula more user friendly.  An example of an exampleFAQ entry is shown below:

Q. How do I open an image file?
A. Click on file in the menu and then click open and select the image file you wish to open.

After you have gotgotten all the files together you need to make an installation package. Installation packages make it easy for the files to be put on the users’user's computer in the correct place and add a shortcut to the start menu and the desktop. You can get software that creates installation packages for you ayou. A free example is Install creator[i]Install Creator[/i] by click team youClick Team.  You can get it fromfind this free installer at [[http://www.clickteam.com/English/install_creator.htm|__http://www.clickteam.com/English/install_creator.htm__]] .

Once you have created the install package you need to copyright your program andas well as its nametitle and your company name. There is nothing worse than having spent years creating a program and then someone comes and takes itsthat program and sells it as theretheir own.

A notable icon for your program is good and if itgood. If the program opens and creates filesfiles, then have the same icon for thethese files.

Now you must have awaya way to distribute your program lotsprogram. Lots of today's programs now are downloaded ofoff the internet this isinternet. This may be ok for small programs but if your program is largelarge, for example over one gigabytegigabyte, then it is best to use some other method. CDs and DVDs are good methods buyby which to distribute your program if it is large.large programs. The CD/DVD must have an attractive box if it is going to be displayed on the shop selves. You must also consider stoppingdissuading people from copying the contents of the CD/DVD on to a new CD/DVD. If they could copy the CD/DVD then they could give out the copies for free or sell them.

You must create a website for youyour software or place information about itthat software on a website. The website will allow people to look at information about the software. You should include away to buy the software from the website as many purchases are done over the web now. The website could contain screenshots of the program and maybe a demo or trial version which will allow the users to try before they buybuy, attracting more potential customers. If you have a demo you should not include all the features of the program miss outprogram. Describing but omitting some of the good onesbetter features in the demo which will encourage the users to getpurchase the full version. Also include a popup window ever timewhenever the user closes the demo sayingdemo. This 'nag window' should state what is in the full version and privide a link to the website where youthe full version can buy it.be purchased. Trial versions should be sort periodsa short period of time in which the user can evaulate the product.  In general, 60 days is a good time amountreasonable evaluation or you couldtrial period.  Another method is to limit the number of uses to ten for example.times the user can use the product.

After you release your program be sure to provide updates ifwhenever you find bugs in you program after it is released.program. This is often referred to as patch for a [i]patch[/i] for the program. You can get a patch making program formfrom [[http://www.clickteam.com/English/patch_maker.htm|__http://www.clickteam.com/English/patch_maker.htm__]]
The patch should contain only the files that have been changedchanged, not alla complete package of them.all files. The files should also be updated into the correct place and the updated program should have a different version number.

Finally you are ready to realiserelease your program but lastly thinks isprogram. One last step: Ask yourself "Is my program good enough of notenough?" If the answer is 'no,' you will not make money and you will have wasted time, money and other resources releasing it.the program. If your program is FREE then that’s grate everyonegreat. Everyone likes free software. Just be sure not to leave your selfyourself thinking I"I should have sold it not made it free.free."

By [[user:alexbarfoot]]