crippleware

2 definitions found

crippleware - Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (26 May 2007) :

  crippleware
  
     1. Software that has some important functionality deliberately
     removed, so as to entice potential users to pay for a working
     version.
  
     2. (Cambridge) Guiltware that exhorts you to donate to some
     charity.
  
     Compare careware, nagware.
  
     3. Hardware deliberately crippled, which can be upgraded to a
     more expensive model by a trivial change (e.g. removing a
     jumper).  A correspondant gave the following example:
  
     In 1982-5, a friend had a Sharp scientific calculator
     which was on the list of those permitted in exams.  No
     programmable calculators were allowed.
  
     A very similar, more expensive, programmable model had two
     extra keys for programming where the cheaper version just had
     blank metal.
  
     My friend took his calculator apart (as you would) and lo and
     behold, the rubber switches of the program keys were there on
     the circuit board.  So all he had to do was cut a hole in the
     face.  For exams he would pre-load the calculator with any
     useful routines, put a sticker with his name on it over the
     hole, and press the buttons through the sticker with a pen.
  
     [Jargon File]
  
     (2001-05-12)
  

crippleware - Jargon File (4.4.4, 14 Aug 2003) :

  crippleware
   n.
  
     1. [common] Software that has some important functionality
     deliberately removed, so as to entice potential users to pay for a
     working version.
  
     2. [Cambridge] Variety of guiltware that exhorts you to donate to
     some charity (compare careware, nagware).
  
     3. Hardware deliberately crippled, which can be upgraded to a more
     expensive model by a trivial change (e.g., cutting a jumper).
  
     An excellent example of crippleware (sense 3) is Intel's 486SX chip,
     which is a standard 486DX chip with the co-processor diked out (in
     some early versions it was present but disabled). To upgrade, you buy
     a complete 486DX chip with working co-processor (its identity thinly
     veiled by a different pinout) and plug it into the board's expansion
     socket. It then disables the SX, which becomes a fancy power sink.
     Don't you love Intel?