and I completely agree. A demo version is a NOT a "would be nice" thing, it is an "absolutely required" thing.

I wrote to Alsoft a few weeks ago, bemoaning (a) the lack of a demo and (b) the woefully lacking information on their Website (e.g., inadequate screen shots of the MasterJuggler interface). After several days, one of the Alsoft team wrote me back, apologizing for the lack of a demo, and then suggesting I could forward all my questions to him and he would try to address my pre-sales concerns. Yeah, sure--as if even a thousand questions and answers could be considered a viable alternative to actually seeing the product in action (not to mention I am simply not going to take the time to try to write up such a list of questions). While i believe he was sincerely trying to help, it was obvious to me that Alsoft just does not get it.

HEY, ALSOFT: allocate some development resources to create a demo version! There is NO WAY IN #@*! anyone in their right mind would pay for an "all sales final" product without knowing what it is they are buying. Do you LIKE losing sales?

Hopefully, if enough of us chime in with our needs for a demo version, Alsoft will realize the sales they are losing/have lost due to their misallocated development resources. In the meantime, I'm going to go over to Insider Software's site, and dowload the 30 DAY TRIAL of their font manager. And if it serves my needs...well, Alsoft, I WANTED to consider your product.

--Kevin