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crippleware

Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

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)
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