There is a raging red state / blue state debate going on at Port80 over trial software. We have always provided free 30-day trials and have only asked users for an e-mail and name with no checking, MX record look-ups, etc. Last week, we decided to try the ol "you sign up for download, we e-mail you a link to it" approach, which we have seen at other sites.
[marketing guy drools] MMMM, real e-mails. [/marketing guy drools]
Of course, the more technically adept side of Port80 shouted back, "That sucks -- e-mail spools and spam traps keep the user away from the .exe -- just get it in their hands and they will be happy... get the email later, dude."
So what's the fair and balanced approach to software trials and e-mails? The jury is out, but it probably falls somewhere between signing away your first born child's e-mail and a kinder, more gentler open source.