I have just downloaded both the Backyard and the Lite version of Showsim for evaluation. It is probably the Backyard version I am planning on using because of the small number of shows I do.

When I start the Backyard version I get the splash screen with User Name = demo and Licence = **************

I click enter, and after a minute or so I get a pop--up saying:

Server Access Error:

Maximum number of offline sessions has been exceeded or licence registration has never been made. Please insure that your computer has internet access and try again.

The Offline Run remains at 30, but it never gives me any way to run either offline or online.

My computer does have internet access, but now matter how many times I have tried I get the same response.

The Lite version starts straight away, but as this is a version which requires an annual update fee, it is too expensive for me to purchase.

How do I get to evaluate my copy of Backyard demo prior to purchasing it?

That is strange that the Lite Demo has no connection problem but the Backyard Demo does, since they both connect to the same server in the same way. Has the Backyard Demo ever worked previously or has it always had this problem? The message you are seeing only happens when contact with the server can not be made, but then you should get that same message with the Lite version too. It is almost like you have some security software that is blocking internet access for the Backyard version but not the Lite version.

I just ran the Backyard Demo on my own computer to double check if runs on my computer and it works, so the login is still valid and there is no expiration date set. There is something specific to your computer which is blocking it.  The long delay you see after the login screen also indicates that it is unable to connect to the server and is timing out.