"Also, does all software require a free trial or something? I never got that memo."
Obviously no, but it's hard to convince people to move from software that works (such as Adium) to your software if you can't at least provide a great overview of how it works via video demonstration or better yet allowing the user to try it out.
I think that you would agree that there are a number of features not present that many are used to, according to comments in this thread. Fewer sales due to a trial is far better than a one and two star reviews, which could conceivably sink a product before it could get off the ground.
Also, does all software require a free trial or something? I never got that memo.