Regular readers will remember yesterday’s link to Acronis True Image Personal 2010 – a freebie offer, in which participation was restricted to the United States and Canada.
Today, lets take a look at how a highly regarded U.K. based software developer, Serif Software – a company which understands that the World Wide Web is indeed, World Wide – generates interest in their product line. With over 6 million customers, Serif is a strong player in the application marketplace.
Recognizing, that restrictive download policies are a non-starter – Serif seems to be driven in this respect by – You live where? We don’t care! You want it? You got it!
Serif had, for years, provided free access to slightly older full versions of their full product line – top quality popular products which I’ve reviewed here many times. Here’s a stat which helps put some perspective on how just popular Serif products have been on this site alone – 71,000+ download clicks in the last 3 years, or so.
Now here’s the puzzler – virtually all of those clicks came from European and Asian users. I suspect, that’s a factor of name recognition in local markets.
There’s been a major change since I last had an opportunity to drop in on the Serif site (a visit prompted by the Acronis offer) – a very positive change, I think. Serif’s focus is now on providing Starter Editions of all their current software.
I use Starter Editions of several popular applications – including Microsoft Word (who can afford MS Word on every machine 
). While Starter Editions do not have all of the features of the full product – generally, I’ve found these applications meet, or exceed, most of my needs. Realistically though – that is not always the case.
Application available for download include – desktop publishing, image editing, graphic design, web publishing, and more.
As an added bonus – free web templates, as well as free print templates, are available for download.
Please note: As is so often the case – you will be required to “open” an account.
Following which you’re good to go – as illustrated below.
Subsequent downloads will require you to sign into your account. Having downloaded several applications this morning, including MoviePlus and PagePlus, I was pleasantly surprised to see how simple subsequent downloads are.
Just another day in Toolbar land – so, caution is the byword – as always.
All Serif applications are Wizard driven so, don’t worry if you lack experience in using a particular application – here’s a quick shot of MoviePlus Starter Edition which I’ve just opened to take for a quick spin.
System requirements: Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7.
Download at: Serif Software
Bill Mullins' Weblog - Tech Thoughts 
Just a heads up: Serif is comparable to Ashampoo when it comes to emails. Use a throwaway or an email account you don’t care about if you sign up.
Hey Delenn13,
Super advice. A must do actually. Good one!
Best,
Bill
I was about to suggest the same thing as DELENN13 did! I do it for a number of reasons, not the least being the onslaught of Spam offers. I’ve been able to easily determine who the culprit was in past transactions with companies that swear on a stack of bibles that they will absolutely NOT sell your name, etc. Yeah, right! In anycase, this looks promising Bill. I don’t really need any of the offerings but it’s nice to know what’s out there, thanks to you! Best as always.
Hi Don,
I had to laugh when I read your comment – it’s just so true. We can be sneakier than those devils. 🙂
Best,
Bill
A good news Bill.
Thanks, Grr
Hey Grr,
Glad you liked it.
Best,
Bill
Reblogged this on Achugh's Blog.
Thanks Achugh.
As always, I appreciate this. 🙂
Best,
Bill