What are the system requirements for APG vNext?

Does APG vNext support Integration with the ASP.NET Membership Provider?

Yes, the software integrates (not a requirement) smoothly with existing ASP.NET Membership Providers (e.g, the default SQL Membership Provider) to achieve single-sign-on.

And the software comes with our own Membership Provider and Roles Provider implementations free of charge, which allows you to manage all your users on your ASP.NET based site using the software as the membership system (e.g. if you don't have a membership system yet).

Does APG vNext support Integration with Active Directory?

Yes, Active Directory support is available via the ADSI membership provider. The software can work with multiple ADSI membership providers at the same time (e.g. if not all your users are in the same Container). This allows users to sign in with their name and password for the active directory.

In addition, the software supports Windows Authentication, meaning if you want to bypass all login screens (e.g. intranet where users are already logged in), the software can read the authentication info from users' browsers and complete the login process behind the scene.

What am I paying for when I order the software today?

When you buy today, you'll be able to download the software immediately once the order goes through. Plus, you are getting the following benefits:

1. Buy one license and get the second license with 75% discount (the 2x license option);
2. One year of free support and updates;
3. 30-day, 100% satisfaction money back guarantee;
4. Lock in the lowest rate for support and updates for the 2nd year and beyond.

The subscription enrollment with the purchase (for support & updates after the first year) can be cancelled anytime by contacting either me or the payment processor (ShareIt or SWREG).

Once I receive your order, I will create an account for you in our private vNext support forum so that you can start asking me questions regarding the software. You'll also have access to the latest version of software in a separate download forum.

How do I obtain support & updates from you?

Your APG vNext license comes with one year of free support and updates, delivered through the private, customer-only forum.

Whenever I release a hotfix or update, it'll be posted to the private download forum. Everyone gets notified whenever there's a new version / patch available.

You will also have access to the public knowledge base (searchable; also on the forum). I have documented several issues people encounter frequently and most issues are resolved with a short visit to the KB.

I promise to get to your support questions within 24 hours on business days.

How does the software licensing work?

APG vNext license is per-instance. What it means is one APG vNext license gives you the right to install the software on one web server serving one base URL (in my case, http://www.aspplayground.net/forum/). Your database can be located on a different machine from the web server without issue.

If you purchase today, you get two licenses for the price of one. You can use the second license either for your development machine, staging server, a second community on a different URL, or to create a web farm (i.e. 2 machines serving 1 URL).

You will be able to move your software to another machine / URL using our licensing database management interface.

Does the APG vNext license expire, if I don't keep my subscription?

No. The license you purchase with us DOES NOT EXPIRE. It is a perpetual license, like MS Windows and Office. It will continue powering your community beyond the first year.

However, support and update end one year after the purchase date (or the final release date, if you buy before release), unless you keep the subscription active. Remember, you can cancel the subscription anytime during or after the first year.

There are many benefits when you keep your subscription active (see below).

Why do I want to keep my subscription for future support & updates?

The following are the most obvious reasons why you want to keep your subscription active:

1. Continued support from the developer: I never gave canned response to any support request. I wrote the software so I don't have to refer to a "customer support manual" when you need my help.
2. New features: I continued to add big features years after the release, including a mobile interface to the previous version of the software. I don't abandon the software and you get everything I add later on with your active subscription.
3. Lock in the lowest rate today: When you purchase the software today, you also activate the lowest subscription price (billed in a year). Within your annual subscription period, you do not pay extra for major version upgrade either.
   
   Cancelling and re-subscribing voids the lowest price guarantee. Paying for major version upgrade costs much more. I reward long term customers with huge discounts without exception.
4. Bug Fixes & refinements: The reality is no software is bug-free. There might be software behavior tweaks needed, too. I promise to get you covered for all these with your active subscription.

What are some other reasons I may want to keep my subscription?

1. Browser & Mobile Device Compatibility: The browser war never stops and the big players are releasing new versions of their browsers faster than ever (a new version every 6 weeks), which inevitably creates incompatibilities with web-based software. And there are even more browser variations on mobile devices. I keep testing and upgrading the mobile framework so that you stay on top of this game.
2. Security updates: There were only a couple of very minor security issues (no data compromised) reported for the last version of the software, and I fixed the issues within 24 hours. Have a peace of mind with your subscription, knowing I always stay on top of security issues.
3. Continued access to the knowledge base: New variations of old issues pop up all the time. For an email related issue in my KB, I added 8 solutions to 8 possible causes. And I continue to find new ways to use the software more efficiently. You get access to all article updates with your subscription.
4. Stay current with best strategies: Things that work today may not work tomorrow on this fast-changing social web. APG vNext brings easy content marketing to community engagement today, and a year from now we may need something extra.

Can I cancel the subscription within the first year?

Definitely. You can cancel any time. You either contact my payment processor (ShareIt or SWREG), or you just let me know. No hard feelings and no questions asked.

Can I remove the copyright notice at the bottom of the pages?

Yes, we offer an Unbranded License if you want to remove the copyright notice at the bottom of the pages. The software will hide the copyright notice automatically when it sees an unbranded license.

You get the same benefits and bonuses with the Commercial license + the right to remove the copyright notice.

Can I upgrade my existing software (version 2 or 3)?

Yes, you can upgrade your current version by purchasing the upgrade package below.

When you purchase the upgrade, please provide me your current order ID (should be in your forum account) or your forum support account user name on the shopping cart. You will join the vNext user group automatically once you purchase the upgrade.

Do I have to pay for the Download Protection service and Backup CD?

No. These options you see on the shopping cart are standard options I can't remove due to the law my payment processor has to abide by. It's however entirely up to you to decide whether you purchase these options on top of the software license.