A: Vivster allows you to enter your own user name via a command line parameter. Simply edit the shortcut and append the username you like (25 char max) to the command line.
(i.e. d:\win32app\vivster\vivster.exe username).

WARNING: Ensure that you still have a unique username. If you start Vivster and it finds a duplicate name on the network you will quickly be shut down! The reason that the username@computername was chosen was to help ensure a unique username, but you are free to change this as you see fit.

  Q: Will you ever charge for any of your products?

A: Currently the basic Vivster messaging client is free.  We hope to release more free products in the future. 

Plans are in place to charge a small fee for some  value added software (still in development), as well as consulting services. Additionally you will soon be able to purchase a CD with all of the products available at that time for a small publishing fee.

The BookNut product is shareware.  If you like it then you must purchase it.

The shareware products and forthcoming value added services will not in any way deprive any of the free products of their features or usability.

  Q: Why can't I use Vivster to communicate with members of my organization in other buildings?

A: Chances are that these members of your organization are on a different IP sub-net. Vivster requires that all persons be on one sub-net address. The product's basic underlying communication protocol is UDP/IP. This protocol limits the ability to talk to other clients outside of your own sub-net.

Plans are in place for future software to allow you to communication across sub-nets and to other organizations.  Please be patient in this regard.

Q:  I would really like to see a feature to do <x>.  Can you add that to your next release?

Sure.  Time permitting anything will be added to the product that users request.   Features must meet these criteria however:  1)  They must add value to a majority of the people using the product.  2)  They must remain small.  One of the goals of Vivster is to not become "bloatware".  It's most attractive feature is it's size and simplicity. 

The next release will contain many more user requested features.  (As has been the case since version 2.0).

Q:  Can I become a beta tester of your product?

1)  The public betas that are posted on this web site 1-2 months before product release.

2)  Closed betas where you get "early releases" and many more interim drops than the web-site has.  (The web-site generally only distributes 1-2 betas before production whereas there may be as many as 8-10 closed beta releases before production.)  The disadvantage here is that these releases are usually more bug-ridden and less stable than the public drops.

If you would be interested in participating in # 2 drop an email to beta@vivster.com for consideration. 

Q:  I would like a custom release of Vivster tailored to my organization.   Can this be done?

A:  Yes.  This has been done before.  Your organizations name can be "branded" into the product, screens can be modified, features added/removed or hidden, setups can be automated for remote software distribution, other vertical apps can be integrated.  (One example had a timecard signon/off integrated into the 3.0 release).   The possibilities are fairly endless.

If you are interested please send e-mail to sales@vivster.com for details.

Q:  Every time I attempt to open the "Options" dialog box Windows produces a GPF.  What's up with that?

A:  You have an outdated copy of COMCTL32.DLL.  A patch is available from Microsoft.